Cullinan Golf club professional Merrick Bremner catapulted into the lead of the Lombard Insurance Classic at the Royal Swazi Sun Country Club after firing a flawless seven-under-par 65 on Saturday.

The 2005 Sunshine Tour Qualifying School winner moved to 12-under-par 132 and forged one stroke clear of three-time Swazi winner, Bradford Vaughan, who matched the second leaders’ 65.

Jean Hugo carded a 69 to move into a share of third with Vaughn Groenewald (67) and Johary Raveloarison of Madagaskar, who returned a 65.

The trio is two strokes off the lead and one ahead of countrymen Bafana Hlophe (70) and Warren Abery (65), joint for sixth with England’s Neil Cheetham (65).

Bremner, who is ranked 95th on the Sunshine Tour’s UBS Order of Merit, revealed that he started the week really feeling the pressure but has been able to keep his focus. After birdies at 10, 12, 14,15 and 17, Bremner turned in 31 and added two more coming home at 16 and 17.

"It was a great round. I was very satisfied with the way I played today. My whole aim was to stay in the present and play it shot by shot. I often make seven birdies, but it felt great to keep the bogeys off my card" said Bremner, whose previous best score at the Royal Swazi Sun was a tie for 37th in last year’s Swazi Open.

"The last couple of tournaments have been great. I’ve been there or there abouts, but it’s great to have come with a game plan that paid off. I am trying to learn and the best way is to stay in the present," he added.

Vaughan, who celebrates his 32nd birthday next week, has a brilliant track record at the Royal Swazi Sun Country Club where he counts the 1999 Royal Swazi Sun Classic, 2001 Investec Royal Swazi Sun Open and 2004 Royal Swazi Sun Open among his eight Sunshine Tour titles.

"I am one behind and I like those odds. Sometimes when you are ahead, you have a tendency to play safe and you can mistakes as you try to protect the lead,” said Vaughan.

“Now that I am behind but in contention, I can attack, while Merrick will have to defend. Playing with him and Jean should be good fun.”

Hugo, bidding for his 2008 season triple, started with a birdie at the second but immediately lost the advantage with a bogey at the next hole.

A double bogey at the sixth set him back, but Hugo cancelled the deficit with an eagle at the seventh. After the turn Hugo rallied with birdies at 12, 13 and 17 to give him a chance of winning what would be his eighth Sunshine Tour title.

"The front nine was pretty frustrating, but I managed to get things back on track with that eagle and I am happy with how I played after that. Sunday sure isn’t going to be boring,” he said.