David Drysdale birdie blitz keeps him in the hunt in Africa

The Berwickshire golfer bounced back from two early bogeys to hit a four-under 67 for a 14-under 199 and moved into fourth, just a shot behind joint leaders Thomas Aiken, Garth Mulroy and defending champion Charl Schwartzel.

Drysdale, whose third place in the 2009 Jo'burg event kick-started his best season on the European Tour, looked to be drifting out of contention when he spilled shots at the first and fourth.

But the former Challenge Tour champion, 35, reeled off birdies at five, eight, nine, 13, 17 and 18 to keep his bid for a maiden main tour win on track.

Craigielaw-based Lloyd Saltman, who earned his tour card at December's qualifying school, finished in a share of 22nd on a seven-under 206 after a 69 and was joined on that mark by double tour champion Marc Warren, who had a 73.

Scott Jamieson posted a 72 for 208 but Lanarkshire's Steven O'Hara, fourth in last weekend's Africa Open, slithered down the field with a 75 for 212.

l Stuart Appleby last night held a one-shot lead going into the second round of the Sony Open in Hawaii after shooting a six-under 64 at the Waialae Country Club.

The Australian was alone in front ahead of a group of nine, who were tied for second after rounds of 65.

The group includes England's Justin Rose, Matt Kuchar, who tied for sixth at last year's US Open and former PGA rookie of the year Marc Leishman.

Appleby enjoyed a consistent round with greater success on the back nine where he sank three of his four birdies as well as an eagle.

Rose sank six birdies but also had a bogey at the seventh. American Steve Marino - also in the group of nine tied for second - started poorly with two bogeys in the first eight holes but then also sunk seven birdies while Kuchar had a mixed bag of one eagle, four birdies and a bogey.

Japan's Shigeki Maruyama was also tied for second. His 65, which included eight birdies and three bodeys, matched his lowest in his 43 career rounds in Honolulu.