Cape Town - England's Jordan Smith has withdrawn from the Nedbank Golf Challenge, hosted by Gary Player, following the second round on Friday.
READ: Fichardt stays in touch at Nedbank Golf Challenge
Smith posted a disappointing eight-over-par 80 to sit on 12-over-par after the second round in Sun City.
The Englishman, who celebrated his 25th birthday on Thursday, went on to Twitter to announce his withdrawl due to severe tonsillitis.
"Saddens me to do this but im having to pull out of the Nedbank challenge this week in South Africa @golfatsun due to illness....it's my first time here and the resort/golf course is second to none and loved my time here #NGC2017," wrote the reigning European Open winner.
Smith is the fourth golfer to withdraw in Johannesburg after compatriots Matthew Southgate, Anthony Wall pulled out prior to the first tee and American Peter Uihlein retired ill from the first round.
Frenchman Victor Dubuisson emerged from a lightning delay to take a two-shot halfway lead heading into the weekend.
There are now 70 golfers vying for the Nedbank Golf Challenge trophy.
Saddens me to do this but im having to pull out of the Nedbank challenge this week in South Africa @golfatsun due to illness....it’s my first time here and the resort/golf course is second to none and loved my time here #NGC2017
— Jordan Smith (@Jsmithgolf) November 10, 2017