Rock takes lead before storms overtake South Africa

Golf Betting Lines

01/13/2012 - Johannesburg, South Africa (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Robert Rock shot a four-under 67 on the West Course in his second round to grab a one-stroke lead as storms washed out Friday's play at the Joburg Open.

After a four-hour delay on Thursday prevented the first round from being completed at Royal Johannesburg and Kensington Golf Club, thunderstorms came through again on Friday and disrupted play further. The first round was completed Friday morning, but second-round play is far from finished.

The round was halted at 7:37 a.m. (et) and eventually called for the day and will resume at 11:45 p.m. (et) with several players yet to tee off. Saturday's weather calls for a chance of more thunderstorms, so it remains to be seen whether the tournament will see 72 holes.

Rock followed his impressive seven-under 65 on the more difficult par-72 East Course with a four-under on the par-71 West Course to total 11-under 132. He's looking to build off his first European Tour victory last year at the Italian Open, but may be caught by the time the cut is made.

Right behind him are Jbe Kruger and Branden Grace, both of whom shot 67s on the East Course and five-under 66s on the West Course Friday to get to 10- under 133. Michiel Bothma (66) sits tied for fourth at nine-under with George Coetzee, who is the top player out on the course at minus-nine with 12 holes remaining.

First-round leaders Damien McGrane and Jamie Elson can still retain that title with good second rounds; McGrane sits at seven-under through three holes on the East Course, while Elson has yet to tee off on the same course.

Although Rock leads, he bucked the trend of the East playing more difficult by posting a worse score on the West Course.

Rock started his tournament on Thursday with an eagle, and began Friday's second round with an eagle at the second hole to quickly get to nine-under. He bogeyed the eighth before a birdie at the ninth kept him at that number around the turn.

A bogey at No. 12 dropped Rock to eight-under, but he followed with three consecutive birdies to move atop the leaderboard. Grace would have finished at 11-under as well, but a bogey at the last dropped him one behind.

Two-time defending champion Charl Schwartzel completed 36 holes at three-under 140 after a three-under 68 on the West Course, but still has a lot of ground to make up if he's to become the sixth European Tour player to win the same tournament three years in a row.

NOTES: Currently, Sunday's forecast calls for no precipitation...South African Retief Goosen is seven-under through six holes of his second round on the East Course.

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Additional basbeall odds can be found at: www.MySportsbook.com

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