The second day of the South African Tour Championship could not have been more contrasting for the two Vaughans in the field.
One squandered the overnight lead in dramatic style as the other remained composed to assume control at the halfway stage.
Bradford Vaughan, the South African, slid down the leaderboard after today’s round of 77 which started with a quadruple-bogey eight on the opening hole. Ironically, the 26-year-old holed a 135-yard wedge for an eagle two at the same hole during yesterday’s round of 65 which contained three eagles in all.
Vaughan, who was fourth last year, rallied immediately to card an eagle at the next but the frustrating day was summed up with three bogeys on the closing holes. At two-under 142, he trails the leader at Leopard Creek Country Club by seven shots. Cue Vaughan number two.
Bruce Vaughan, the American, played a solid round in 68 to command a one shot lead, on nine-under 135, from South Africa’s Nicholas Lawrence (68) in second.
The American eagled the par five second, like his namesake, but without an eight on his card he managed to forge ahead with four more birdies and just two dropped shots.
Elsewhere, Tim Clark staked his claim to become the Sunshine Tour’s Order of Merit winner after today’s 68 moved the South African into a share of third. He is joined on seven-under by compatriots Nic Henning (72) and Michael Green (69).
Clark is challenged in the standings by Englishman Justin Rose who has won twice in South Africa, the Dunhill Championship last month and the Nashua Masters last week.
Clark has a slim lead over Rose, 31,195 Rand (3000 euros), but after today’s 74 Rose now has to retrieve a six shot deficit on the South African over the weekend.