Baboon charge can't stop Donald from taking lead on day two of Nedbank Challenge

A charging member of the monkey family denied former world number one Luke Donald to miss the course record by one shot as he grabbed the lead at the Nedbank Challenge in South Africa on Friday.

The Englishman missed the course record by one shot after he sunk nine birdies to open up a two-shot advantage at Sun City's Gary Player Country Club, but he would likely remember his round for the unwanted baboon on the 13th that charged on him.

As Donald prepared to hit an iron, a baboon stormed the fairway and headed directly for him, prompting the Englishman to move away from the ball and allow the animal to pass safely before composing himself to hit a good shot onto the green and sinking his putt for birdie, Sport24 reported.

Donald had birdied six of the first nine holes as he went out in 30. He added three more on the back nine before missing a chance at the last to equal compatriot Lee Westwood's course record of 62, set in 2011.

Donald, seeking his first European Tour win since the BMW PGA Championship in 2012, is 10 under par and leads by two from overnight leader Ross Fisher, who hit 70 in his second round.

Donald said that it was a fun day, adding that every time one has one of those rounds where one feels at ease and calm and is hitting the shots one is trying to hit, it's great.

The Englishman claimed that after being chased by a baboon on 13 he managed to hit a good shot into the green and make a birdie there, so he was very happy.