Brandon Stone continued where he left off last week to move on to the first page of The Open leaderboard on Thursday, writes WADE PRETORIUS.
Tee times: Friday’s order of play
The Scottish Open champion ensured there was a second South African flag on the first page of the leaderboard after Erik van Rooyen was bumped into second place by Kevin Kisner.
Kisner’s 66 was one better than Van Rooyen’s effort after the European Tour rookie dropped a shot at the last. Stone matched Van Rooyen’s bogey tally with a single mistake at the 15th.
The three-time European Tour winner was out in 33 after letting his putter do the work at the 4th, 6th and 8th holes as he barely put a foot wrong.
Stone continued his good work with four birdies to begin his inward nine before a birdie at the par-five 14th helped make up for a missed opportunity on his previous hole. His lone bogey was followed by three pars to close including another solid putt on the 16th and a good lag on the last to end his day just two off the pace.
Behind Stone, Zander Lombard was the hottest player on the course after moving to -3 through eight holes.
Photo: Stuart Franklin/Getty Images
