Volvo Golf Champions: Branden Grace on a roll as he moves into pole position for second consecutive win

South African Branden Grace moved closer to consecutive European Tour victories as he claimed a four-stroke lead in the Volvo Golf Champions at Fancourt, while Nicolas Colsaerts – who shot a 64 to break the course record on Thursday - went from sublime to ridiculous as he carded a 76, the worst round of the day.

Grace, winner of his first European Tour event in last week’s Joburg Open, signed for a 66 and a 12-under-par 134 total at The Links at Fancourt. South Africa’s Thomas Aiken (70), and England’s Lee Slattery (65) are his nearest challengers on eight under. European Ryder Cup captain Jose Maria Olazabal moved into contention on seven-under with a 68.

On another benign day of weather conditions, Grace birdied four of his first six holes and made his only bogey of the round at the seventh. After a birdie at the tenth, he made three consecutive birdies from the 14th.

“It’s been an amazing start for me. I’ve been really calm the past couple of days, which is a big relief,” he said. “It’s kept the nerves down and that has allowed me to just play golf and enjoy it like last week.”

Grace’s ball striking was once again the highlight of his game. “I’ve been hitting the ball unbelievably well. I’ve been putting myself in the right spots on the golf course and taking what has come my way.”

At four shots off the lead, Aiken is not concerning himself too much with Grace’s intimate knowledge of the course. Grace grew up in the nearby town of George and declares The Links his favourite course. “I know Branden has a good knowledge of the golf course and is playing some fantastic golf, but there are still 36 holes left,” Aiken said.

Slattery is equally content with his position at the halfway mark of this tournament following a round he described as the best of his career.

“I think it’s probably the best, with it being such a big event and so many great players as well,” Slattery said. “It was just one of those rounds I’m going to remember for the rest of my life and hopefully it can kickstart something for me.”

Olazabal heads into the weekend only five behind the leader and enjoying his best start to a season in recent years. “The last couple of years I’ve played pretty poorly, so improving that, it was not all that difficult,” he said.

Scotland’s representatives had contrasting days. Colin Montgomerie, who had opened with a solid 70, carded a two-over 75, but compatriot Paul Lawrie improved markedly on his opening 72 with a five-under second round of 68, leaving him six off the pace and in a good position to attack over the weekend.