Rock Two Shots Off The Lead, But He’s The Favourite in South Africa

With the player ranked 890th in the world two shots ahead, Robert Rock looks like a top-10 player lurking just two shots off the lead at the Alfred Dunhill Championship in South Africa.

In reality, Rock is ranked 138th in the world, but he’s still one of the higher ranked players in the field this week and he’s now just two off the pace set by Anthony Michael after a second round 70.

His ball striking has put Rock into contention as he’s missed just eight greens over his first 36 holes. 

He hasn’t made it easy to hit the greens, but he’s managed even though his driver has struggled to find any consistent accuracy this week.  He has hit just 9 of 28 fairways so far this week, but this hasn’t deterred bookmakers from sending him off at (5-1).

Just behind Rock at (6-1) is South African Charl Schwartzel.  In a field lacking quality, the books seem inclined to latch onto higher ranked players even if their a few shots off the lead, as has been the case with Robert Allenby in Australia this week.

Schwartzel currently sits in 12th five shots off the lead and has struggled to hit greens so far this week.  These struggles have resulted in untimely bogies and he’ll certainly have to straighten things out to make a move on Saturday.

He’s hit just 25 of 36 greens this week, but considering he’s been playing the majors against the game’s best for the past few years it seems the bookies are comfortable with him at second on the betting board.

Lead Anthony Michael has been on a birdie barrage over the first two days at the Alfred Dunhill propelling him to the top of the leaderboard.

Michael has birdied 13 of the 36 holes he played over the first two days.  It’s fine play, but the bookmakers doubt in the 25-year old seems to be a prudent measure as Michael hasn’t made a cut on the European Tour since January.

Despite holding the two round lead, the unheralded Michael is the books’ third choice at (7-1).  However, with little world-class talent in the field, he could stay in the mix right to the end if he can keep up his level of play on the weekend.

Achievements on the golf course are not what matters, decency and honesty are what matter  - Tiger Woods