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Martin on course for Euro double

Martin is in superb form in the early season European Tour events in South Africa.
Martin is in superb form in the early season European Tour events in South Africa.
STORY HIGHLIGHTS
  • Pablo Martin leads South African Open at halfway stage in Western Cape
  • Spaniard cards a second round 68 for a two-round total of 11-under 133
  • Martin is bidding for second straight win on European Tour after claiming Alfred Dunhill Championship
  • Denmark's Anders Hansen is closest challenger after three-under 69

(CNN) -- Spain's Pablo Martin is firmly on course for back-to-back victories after taking a two-shot halfway lead in the South African Open at Pearl Valley Golf Estates.

Martin became the first player to win European Tour titles as an amateur and professional with his win in the Alfred Dunhill Championship last Sunday and has carried on his superb form.

The 23-year-old added a second round 68 to his opening 65 in the Western Cape for a halfway total of 11-under 133.

Denmark's Anders Hansen, who carded a three-under 69, is his nearest challenger.

Starting on the 10th, Martin birdied the tenth, 12th, 16th and 18th but run up a a double bogey six on the 17th.

I think you need to take advantage of the par fives on this golf course
--Pablo Martin

After bogeying the first, Martin claimed a hat-trick of birdies from the third to open up his lead.

"I think you need to take advantage of the par fives on this golf course," he told www.europeantour.com.

Overnight leader Martin Erlandsson of Sweden failed to build on his opening 64, taking ten shots more in his second round, to lie five shots off the pace on six-under.

Spain's Alejandro Cañizares moved into third with a 67 to go eight under, one shot ahead of in-form Italian Edoardo Molinari and South African Louis Oosthuizen.