Now the pressure mounts for Trevor Immelman. Not only is he leading the Masters after 36 holes, he’s also hearing talk that he’s the best South African golfer, ahead of Retief Goosen and Ernie Els.

Oh, and this high praise from Gary Player, the dean of South African golf and Immelman’s idol.

“The greatest striker of the ball I have ever seen in my life was Ben Hogan,” Player said. “Trevor Immelman has the closest swing that I have seen to Ben Hogan. He is a tremendous young man and has such potential.”

After consecutive 68s, who’s to argue?

Immelman made a good round great Friday with birdies at Nos. 17 and 18, knocking down a 15-foot putt and 10-footer, respectively.

Els, who missed the cut here, owns three major titles (two U.S. Opens and a British Open) and Goosen, who’s six strokes behind at 2-under-par, won two U.S. Opens.

“Well, those are big shoes to fill, literally and figuratively,” Immelman joked. “I’ve never felt like I had surpassed them in stuff that we achieved. I’ve looked up to both of them my whole life and I continue to do so. And until I win more majors than the two of them, I probably won’t think I’m a better player.”

Should he win the Masters, he might be the envy of Els and Goosen, who covet this tournament. He’d also join Player as the only South African to wear a green jacket.

“It’s flattering more than anything else,” Immelman said of Player’s praise. “I don’t think I’ve underachieved to this point in my career. I think I’ve had a nice steady climb. Hopefully I can keep going that way.”