AFP/Bangkok

Garcia fired a sizzling seven-under par 65 which included a hole-in-one at the eighth, while Rose shot an accomplished 68 as the duo reached 11-under for the tournament.

Rose and Garcia are two strokes ahead of overnight leader Alex Cejka of Germany, France’s Alexander Levy and India’s Anirban Lahiri, who shot the day’s lowest score, a magnificent eight-under 64. A further stroke behind was America’s Rickie Fowler.

Pre-tournament favourite Henrik Stenson improved on his opening round with a 67 to move into joint seventh place with a cluster of players including Thailand’s leading contender Kiradech Aphibarnrat and India’s Sujjan Singh.

“It was a wonderful day,” said a happy Garcia who in addition to his hole-in- one, sunk five birdies. “The hole-in-one was an extra bonus. It is always an exciting feeling,” said Garcia. It was his third ace in tournament play.

Garcia, who has his girlfriend on the bag, said he felt comfortable with his form. “I’ve been playing well both days,” he said. “But there are still two days to go.”

Rose said he was pleased with his score despite a rather shaky beginning. “It was a funny round,” he said. “I got off to a slow start,” which included a bogey at the third.

He added: “I had more trouble reading the greens today and was fortunate to make some big putts to save par.”

However after a birdie at the ninth his game really stepped up.

“That birdie really got me going,” Rose said.

And things soon got even better when he was rewarded with an eagle at the 11th.

“My approach was the best iron shot I have hit in months,” he said. “I’m looking forward to playing with Sergio in the third round.”

Overnight leader Cejka said he had played quite well but a double bogey at the 18th spoilt his day.

“That double was a real pity, otherwise it would have been a decent round,” he said.

Lahiri found himself in possession of a hot putter, sinking six birdies, and an eagle at the par-five 11th hole.

“I’ve had a great day,” he said. “I felt like I could sink everything.”

The Indian star said his form had been good for some time.

“I’ve been knocking at the door in recent months, but just haven’t quite finished it off.”

Fowler celebrated his 25th birthday in the best possible way with a 66, featuring a string of birdies on the back nine.

“I finally got things going and hit some better putts,” he said. “It was nice to finish off strong.”

Defending champion Charl Schwartzel was well down the field in joint 19th place after a disappointing 73.

Campillo shoots 59 to share Nelson Mandela lead

Spaniard Jorge Campillo recorded what would have been a record-sharing 59 to share the clubhouse lead with Englishman Matthew Baldwin at the weather affected Nelson Mandela Championship on Friday.

Campillo’s round, which included seven birdies and two eagles, will not go into the record books as the joint-best 18 hole total in history due to placing allowed on the rain-softened fairways at the par-70 Mount Edgecombe golf club.

The 27-year-old shares the lead with Baldwin, who had a sparkling round of his own by firing an eight-under-par 62 that featured six birdies and an eagle.

The EPGA tournament has been reduced to 54 holes after heavy rain wiped out much of the opening two days’ play. Another three hours of play was lost to rain yesterday morning.

South African duo Oliver Bekker and Branden Grace are one shot back on ten-under with the majority of the field yet to complete their second rounds.

Campillo’s 59 would have equalled the PGA record that is shared by six men, the last of which was Jim Furyk, who carded his score earlier this year on the par-71 course at Conway Farms which hosts the BMW Championship.

Previous lowest scores are held by Al Geiberger, Chip Beck and David Duval, who shot 13-under 59’s while Paul Goydos and Furyk scored 12-under rounds and Stuart Appleby recorded his 59 on a par-70 course.