Torrance hits the front

SAM Torrance ended a difficult second round of the Berenberg Bank Masters on a high to share the lead with Angel Franco in South Africa and move firmly into contention for his 12th European Senior Tour title.

The former Ryder Cup captain used all of his experience of playing in windy conditions to card a battling one-under-par 72 amidst strong gusts which swirled around the notoriously unforgiving Links at Fancourt.

The Scot said: "I played fabulously. I lost a ball on the tenth and bogeyed the 11th, but apart from that it was exemplary."

Victory would see the 56-year-old return to the top of the Senior Tour Order of Merit.