Brandan Grace was considered one of the nation’s brightest prospects when he turned pro in 2007, but the 23-year-old has just one victory to his name on the Sunshine Tour and has only just regained his card for a second attempt on the European Tour.

But the George-based golfer gave glimpses of his talent on Friday as he fired a five-under-par 66 to move to 10-under-par overall in the Joburg Open, just one stroke behind the current leader, the Englishman Robert Rock.

Earlier in the week, Grace won the Gary Player Trophy for the best stroke average in the 2011 Sunshine Tour season, marking him out as perhaps the most consistent golfer on tour.

Grace is not dissimilar in build to world number one Luke Donald and clearly sings from the same song sheet when it comes to what he wants from his game.

“It’s nice to know that I am consistent, although it is a bit frustrating that I just have the one win. But Luke Donald also doesn’t have the most wins on tour, but he’s really consistent.

“Sooner or later, consistency will pay off and it’s nice to be contending. I think I’m close to winning a big tournament, I feel my game is there,” Grace said on Friday after his round.

Grace is not just daring to dream about adding to his 2010 triumph at the Coca-Cola Championship at Fancourt: His game is on the up and his stats are getting better every year.

“I’ve improved every year on the Order of Merit and last year’s eighth-place finish was my best. It was just my putting and my short game that was holding me back. But my putting has improved, I’m making longer putts these days and I’m more likely to give myself chances in the main events. My game is much better and I’ve just got to keep my head down and go for it,” Grace said.

A relaxed Grace said he was “in the position where I want to be” after two rounds, although almost half the field has been left singing in the rain after play was once again suspended on Friday afternoon, uncannily at 1.37pm – exactly the same time as the weather delay began on the first day.

While the former member of the Ernie Els Foundation lost his European Tour card in 2009, an 11th-place finish at Q-School has provided a ray of hope as he is back on the main tour again this year.

Part of the problem may have been that the younger Grace had trouble with authority and his rapid rise to prominence after winning the Freddie Tait Cup for leading amateur at the 2007 SA Open all perhaps came too quickly.

“The first time I was on the European Tour, it all happened very quickly and, in terms of my golf and mentally, I wasn’t really ready. But my game is in a much better state now and I’ve grown as a player,” he said.

Grace said he will also be more focused this year.

“I’m going to do a lot of things differently. I’m going to concentrate harder, practise more and take nothing for granted. I’m really looking forward to the year.”

Now could just be the time for Grace to deliver on all that undoubted potential.