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Summary Branden Grace claimed a four-stroke lead in second round of the Volvo Golf Champions.
Branden Grace, the last man to qualify, calmy moved to the front of the pack in the second round of the Volvo Golf Champions tournament at The Links at Fancourt on Friday.Grace, 23, fired a seven-under-par 66 for a two-round total of 12-under 134 to lead by four strokes from fellow South African Thomas Aiken, who shot 70, and Englands Lee Slattery, who made a best-of-the-day 65.European Ryder Cup captain Jose Maria Olazabal of Spain was alone in fourth on seven-under 139 after shooting an impressive 68.Olazabal, 45, laughed off suggestions that he might qualify to play in the Ryder Cup.There is no way, he said. Even if I make the Ryder Cup, I will not play.Local resident Grace earned his place in the elite champions-only field by winning last weeks Joburg Open, which he said was a career-changing event after he had to go through the European Tours qualifying school last year.Grace will be paired with good friend Slattery in the final group on Saturday.If I hadnt qualified, I would have been here supporting some of my friends like Slatts, said Grace.Ive felt calm all week, he added. That calmness has allowed me to play well. On this course you have to drive it well. I missed a few fairways today but my iron play has been superb and my short game has kicked in.Paired with first-round leader Nicolas Colsaerts, who slumped to a 76 to fall six shots off the pace, Grace had four birdies and one bogey on the front nine and recorded four more birdies on the back nine, including three in a row from the 14th hole.
