Max Homa, who was part of a four-way tie for the lead after the first round, carded a bogey-free 68 to retain a share of the lead at 10-under at the Nedbank Golf Challenge.

“I’m very pleased, a little surprised, pleasantly surprised. It’s been nice, the body’s feeling better as the week’s gone on,” said the American.

“I woke up today and felt like a golfer again, so that was nice. It’s a real dream. If you fly 20-odd hours over here, you may as well play some good golf. So it’s nice that I’m doing that.”

France’s Matthieu Pavon shot a 66, the joint lowest round of the day, that featured an eagle at the par-5 10th and a bogey at the par-4 15th for his share of the lead.

“It was really good overall, two days very solid,” said Pavon. “Tee-to-green was very, very solid, my iron shots were very good, a lot of fairways so I haven’t put myself in much trouble today. A nice 66.”

England’s Dan Bradbury, who shared the overnight lead, carded a 69 to slip down into solo third place at 9-under.

Denmark’s Nicolai Højgaard (70), also tied in the lead after the first round, and Thorbjørn Olesen (66) are tied in fourth place at 8-under.

Defending champion Tommy Fleetwood of England, who is aiming to win for the third time in-a-row, shot 67 and sits in T8 four shots off the lead.