Frenchman Lorenzo-Vera leads South African Open

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PAARL, South Africa (AP) -- Michael Lorenzo-Vera made five birdies in six holes Friday to shoot a second-round 65 and take a two-shot lead at the South African Open.

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Michael Lorenzo-Vera holds the lead at the halfway mark in South Africa.

Playing in his first tournament since October because of a wrist injury, Lorenzo-Vera reached a halfway total of 12-under 132 at the par-72 Pearl Valley Golf Estates. He leads a group of four players, including Ernie Els, at the event co-sanctioned by the European Tour and the Sunshine Tour.

"I was just coming here to find some new feelings, and I found some good ones," Lorenzo-Vera said.

The Frenchman started on the 10th hole and reached the turn at 2 under before his string of five birdies between the first and sixth.

"I was putting very well on the front nine, from far away, too, but nothing was dropping for me. And then on the back nine I managed to get it a little bit nearer the flag and started to hole them, so everything was good," he said.

Els stated before the tournament he wanted to make sure a South African won the title, and his second consecutive 67 has him in contention.

"We've got two rounds left, so there's a lot of golf left," Els said. "If I'm two shots behind with two to play, I still have a chance to win."

Joining Els in second place were Lee Westwood of England (68), South Africa's Charl Schwartzel (65) and Ireland's Damien McGrane, whose 64 was tied for the best round of the day.

Three players were another shot back in sixth place, while two-time U.S. Open champion Retief Goosen was tied for ninth after a 66 put him a further stroke behind.

Defending champion James Kingston of South Africa missed the cut after only managing a 74, while Masters champion Trevor Immelman's 71 put him eight shots off the pace.