JOHANNESBURG, South Africa (PA) -- David Drysdale led the Joburg Open after the second round on Friday, but not before play was suspended because of thunder and lightning. The tournament is co-sanctioned by the European Tour and the Southern Africa Tour.

The players came in just before 2:00 p.m. local time at the Royal Johannesburg and Kensington Golf Club, but not before the Scotsman had completed a faultless round of 66 to go with his 65 in round one for a tournament total of 11-under-par 131. The field eventually made it back out and completed the round.

Drysdale's total was one better that South Africa's Oliver Bekker, who carded a 6-under-par 65 for a 10-under score, the same as Michael Hoey of Northern Ireland, who claimed three birdies in a four-hole stretch midway through his back nine en route to a 68.

"I don't think I could have had a better draw for this tournament because I was off first in the afternoon on the East (Course) getting the good greens and I didn't have to worry about thunderstorms in the afternoon," said Bekker, who held the lead for most of the morning.

"I didn't have a good finish at the end of last year, so I'm just trying to manage myself better on the golf course by cutting out the bogeys, maybe not playing as aggressively and trying a little more conservative shots and playing within myself."

His countryman Andrew McLardy also managed to stay in the chasing pack on Day Two, with his 3-under 68 moving him to 9 under overall, alongside young Englishman Danny Willet, who carded a 66.

"I had several weeks off and I was looking forward to it throughout that time because I like the course and read the greens well," said McLardy. "I've had success here since amateur golf in 1992 and won a few tournaments here with a few low scores."

Overnight leaders Steven Jeppesen and Trevor Fisher Jr. had a difficult time Friday, with Jeppesen coming home with a 5-over 76, while Fisher went from a first-round 63 to a second-round 79 en route to missing the cut.

Defending champion Richard Sterne bounced back from his opening-day 71 with a fine 66, and two-time major winner Retief Goosen was a further shot back after shooting 68.

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