DURBAN: Ernie Els fired a second consecutive round of seven-under-par 65 to take a two-shot lead after the second round of the rain-hit South African Open at the Durban Country Club Saturday. South African Els, who began the day trailing overnight leaders Retief Goosen and Alex Cejka by one stroke, moved clear after a bogey-free round. Els will head into a marathon 36 holes Sunday at 14-under-par while Goosen, who signed for a second round four-under-par 68 moved to 12-under-par for the tournament. The South African veterans will be joined in the final third round grouping by 19-year-old French rookie Romain Wattel who followed up his five-under-par in the first round with a six-under par second round 66 for a total of 133. British Open champion Louis Oosthuizen struck four birdies and an eagle after the turn for a 67 and is a shot further back on 10-under along with fellow South African Charl Schwartzel. Only two-and-a-half hours play were possible on the first day of the tournament on Thursday because of torrential rain and players face two rounds on Sunday to complete the tournament. The organizers' decision to move the cut line to 50 plus ties instead of 65 plus ties in an attempt to complete two rounds on the final day meant that the mark was set relatively low at three-under. Two of the biggest casualties were British defending champion Richie Ramsey, who finished on three-over-par, and Spain's Pablo Martin, the winner of the previous week's Alfred Dunhill Championship, who finished on two-under. Piya chases 1st Tour win Unheralded Piya Swangarunporn of Thailand birdied his closing two holes for a shock one-stroke lead at the $600,000 Black Mountain Masters at Hua Hin, Thailand Saturday. But hot on his heels are proven winners Tetsuji Hiratsuka of Japan, who enjoyed a career first with three eagles in a spectacular round of 67, and Thailand's Thongchai Jaidee. Piya, chasing a maiden Asian Tour victory, battled to a four-under-par 68 in the third round. Hiratsuka, 39, holed a monstrous 45-foot putt on the sixth, 15 feet on the 13th and drained a 12 footer at the last hole after a massive three wood approach shot from 256 yards out. Thongchai carded a 68 to stay in the hunt in tied third place. Overnight leader Lee Sung of South Korea stumbled to a 75 to join Thongchai on 205 in the Asian Tour's season finale.
