Grewal rises to the challenge

Sandeep Grewal, whose sporting pedigree includes a grandfather who played hockey for India, fired an eight-under-par 64 here yesterday to share a one-shot lead at the halfway stage of the Dunhill Championship.

The 20-year-old English qualifier, who began his round with three consecutive birdies and then eagled the fifth, ended the day at a 10-under 134 after two rounds, level with the South African Roger Wessels who carded a 66. Retief Goosen, the US Open champion, was one shot off the pace at nine-under following a 67, in a tie for third with England's 2000 champion Anthony Wall who also returned a 67.

Grewal, playing in only his second European Tour event, was surprised to be sharing the tournament lead after simply setting his sights on making the halfway cut. "It's definitely a surprise shooting 64. I came here really to enjoy myself," he said. Grewal, who plays on the European Challenge Tour, qualified for the same tournament last year, but missed the cut with a second round of 77.

The big-hitting Goosen moved into contention after his second-round 67, but was unhappy with his performance on the greens, missing birdie putts of two and three metres at the first and second holes. Justin Rose is well-placed at seven-under, while the world No 5 Ernie Els ended at four-under.

Roy Wegerle's dreams of making the cut in his first professional tournament were shattered by a second round 80. The former QPR, Luton, Chelsea and United States footballer said his 12-over-par total after two rounds left him feeling as if his team had just suffered a 6-0 drubbing by Manchester United.

DUNHILL CHAMPIONSHIP (Johannesburg) Leading second-round scores (GB or Irl unless stated):134 R Wessels (SA) 68 66, S Grewal 70 64. 135 A Wall 68 67, R Goosen (SA) 68 67. 136 A Atwal (Ind) 72 64; M Foster 69 67; M Maritz (SA) 72 64; M Pilkington 68 68. 137 J Rose 71 66, S Dodd 66 71, S Walker 70 67, M Mackenzie 71 66, P McGinley 66 71, A Coltart 68 69, C Cevaer (Fr) 70 67, J F Remesy (Fr) 67 70, M Mouland 68 69. 138 J Kingston (SA) 67 71, M Olander (Swe) 71 67, S Dyson 73 65, D Lee 70 68, G Muller (SA) 69 69, S Struver (Ger) 69 69, T Clark 69 69, C Pettersson (Swe) 68 70. 139 M Roe 67 72, B Davis 70 69, J Donaldson 67 72, W Coetsee (SA) 70 69, J Van Zyl (SA) 70 69. 140 D Fichardt (SA) 73 67, M Cort 71 69, S Daniels (SA) 69 71, P Eales 73 67, M Kirk (SA) 72 68, M Lafeber (Neth) 69 71, S Hurd 70 70, D Howell 71 69, E Els (SA) 68 72, A Forsyth 68 72. Selected: 156 R Wegerle (SA) 76 80.