Jeev, who was tied for the 42nd place after playing a one-over 73 round on the opening day at the Houghton Golf Club, Johannesburg, was thus two-under 142 after 36 holes, and was six strokes behind leader Ernie Els of South Africa.

Els, the double US Open champion, who got married recently during the Christmas break, followed up his first round five-under 67 with a three-under 69 according to information received here today.

It was a creditable performance from Jeev as the scores took a nosedive on the second day of the tournament under swirling winds. ``The winds dried up the greens to make it lightning fast by evening,'' explained Els after the round.

The day's best card was a 67 by American Bob May, followed by two 68s, all of whomhad teed off early in the morning, Jeev, along with Els, was among the last to tee off.

In second place and two strokes behind Els was another South African, Richard Kaplan, who missed an excellent chance to go on top of the leaderboard when he finished the second round with consecutive bogies on the final two holes.