Wirral wonder leads in South Africa

Sandeep Grewal, a former England boys amateur international from the Wirral is a shock co-leader after two rounds of the European Tour Dunhill Championship in Johannesburg.

The 20-year-old Liverpool soccer fan, who played the amateur circuit as a junior, came through pre-tournament qualifying to shoot an eight-under par 64 and share the lead with South African journeyman Roger Wessels(66) on ten under par after 36 holes at Houghton GC.

Grewal was due to secure a regular spot on the Challenge Tour in Europe this year but took a chance to play his way on to the South African Sunshine Tour circuit – and has done it in style.

"This is a massive surprise" said Grewal, son and grandson of international hockey players, who pre-qualified with a round of 68 at Centurion Park on Tuesday.

"My aim was to play nicely and make the cut. I think I’ve managed to achieve that part!

"I think my grandad was quite a famous hockey playerin India. He was the goalkeeper and played many times for India and then Kenya after he moved there. I played rugby at school but went to play golf with some friends when I was nine and basically got bitten by the bug."

Fellow Englishman Anthony Wall and US Open champion Retief Goosen are on nine under par.