By Gareth James

Lydia Hall is still well in contention at the Investec South African Women’s Open despite a nightmare start to her second round.

The Bridgend golfer is tied for fifth after carding a five-over-par 77 having dropping three shots on her opening hole at the Westlake Golf Club in Cape Town.

Hall, who jointly led after opening the tournament with a 70,  is now +3 – but still just three shots off the lead now held by South Africa’s Nicole Garcia.

https://twitter.com/LETgolf/status/1393191858403221506

Fellow South African Lee-Anne Pace, who held the lead with Hall after the opening round, is one shot back in a tie for second.

As well as the Euros 200,000 prize fund in the LET event, the tournament also has four qualifying spots for next month’s US Women’s Open at the Olympic Club.

Hall, who celebrated her only LET victory at the 2012 ISPS Handa Ladies British Masters, started on the 10th hole with a seven and dropped a further shot at the next two holes in the testing conditions.

But she bounced back with two birdies in the remaining holes to remain in contention heading into the third round.