BATTLING Lee James swept aside an atrocious start to the Joburg Open to secure his second successive European Tour pay day in South Africa this season.

The 34-year-old Parkstone-based professional followed up a creditable first-round 72 on the demanding East Course with a three-under-par 68 on the West Course this afternoon.

James, who finished joint 33rd in the South African Open last month, moved up 45 places to joint 31st going into the final two days which are played on the East Course.

"I was particularly pleased not to drop a shot today," said James, who birdied the second, fifth, and 17th holes.

"I held a couple of good putts near the end of my round, but it could have been a few shots better if I had taken my chances..

"It was wet and miserable and the conditions weren't ideal for good scoring, so I'm happy with the way things are going especially after the start I made to my first round," he added.

James began his tournament with a triple bogey seven on the opening hole of the East Course yesterday.

"I hit a wayward tee shot that hit some TV cables and bounced in to a bush," explained James.

"I messed up the next shot by trying to hack it out and eventually got on the green in five and two-putted.

"And after a dropping another shot at the second, I settled down and gave myself a target of two-over-par for the day.

"In the past that kind of start would of wrecked my chances, but since the second stage of qualifying I have been hitting the ball well and I've a lot of confidence in my game again."

James finished joint fifth in the second stage of qualifying and went on to regain his European Tour card by finishing seventh at the gruelling six-round final qualifier in November.

But to secure his place in the next tournament - the lucrative Abu Dhabi Golf Championship in the United Emirates - James must finish in the top five this weekend.

Fellow Dorset professional Gary Emerson also successfully negotiated the halfway cut in the Joburg Open after following up his first-round 68 on the East Course with a 72 yesterday for a one-under-par total and a share of 41st place - eight shots behind overnight leader Mark Murless.