Sweden’s Christofer Blomstrand called it “a fantastic day” that left him shocked as he signed for a 61 to share the lead with Spain’s Santiago Tarrio heading into the weekend of the Jonsson Workwear Durban Open at Durban Country Club.
Blomstrand was almost lost for words as he reflected on a magical round of golf that has him tied for the lead with Tarrio – who signed for a 64 – on 13 under par, one stroke clear of England’s Alfie Plant.
“Everything just felt so great. I hit some great shots. I also had some chances where I hit pins and spun back to miss birdies. It was a fantastic day. I’m still quite shocked,” he said.
On an intensely hot and humid day, Blomstrand turned up the heat even further with his golf.
He was five under through his first nine holes, and then played his next nine in six under, closing with three straight birdies.
“After the first nine I thought I’m just going to keep doing the same thing and see where it ends up. Then I shot six under the last nine holes. I was thinking about 59 at one stage. I still had to focus on every shot because it is a tough course. If you relax on one shot you can be in trouble. I’m actually quite tired at the moment.”
Tarrio set the clubhouse target in the morning and was equally pleased with his performance.
“I didn’t make mistakes, which I’m pleased about. I just tried to focus on my own game. I had a bit of a foot injury last week, but this week it felt better so I could make better swings out there. I’ve been playing well the last three weeks. I love this course and I love Durban. It’s my first time in this city. So I’ll just keep trying my best on the weekend,” he said.
It was another day of incredible scoring, with South Africa’s Keenan Davidse climbing to 11 under par with a 63 that included a 28 on the back nine of Durban Country Club, which played as his first nine.
“I joked with my caddie that I’ve never even shot that in a social round of golf. I always hit the ball the same. The difference comes with my putting. When I putt like I did today, then it all comes together,” he said.
It was the perfect round for Davidse as he heads into the weekend two shots off the lead and with some extra motivation.
“I found out the night before that my little boy has to go for an eye operation, and I used that as my motivation today. It’s also my eldest’s ninth birthday on Saturday. So I definitely get motivation in playing for my kids.”
A second round to remember for Keenan Davidse. 📊 #JonssonWorkwearDurbanOpen pic.twitter.com/7dxSAJCwLj
— Sunshine Tour (@Sunshine_Tour) February 20, 2026
SCORES
-13 - Santiago Tarrio 67 64
-13 - Christofer Blomstrand 70 61
-12 - Alfie Plant 67 65
-11 - Keenan Davidse 70 63
-11 - Oliver Bekker 65 68, Pablo Ereno 62 71
-10 - Rhys Enoch 67 67
-10 - Louis Albertse 68 66, Jean Hugo 67 67, Luke Brown 65 69
-9 - Wilco Nienaber 67 68
-9 - Calum Fyfe 70 65, Malcolm Mitchell 67 68
-8 - Pieter Moolman 66 70
-8 - Pedro Figueiredo 65 71, Austin Bautista 64 72, Julian Perico 65 71, Will Enefer 69 67
-7 - Alex Goff 70 67
-7 - Lorenzo Scalise 65 72, Kieron van Wyk 63 74, Albert Boneta 68 69, Martin Vorster 68 69, James Mack 67 70