Justin Walters’s focus on his short game has paid off as he takes a four-shot lead into Friday’s final round of the SunBet Challenge hosted by Sun Boardwalk at Humewood Golf Club.
Walters was in great form with the putter on his way to a 64 and the overall lead on 15 under par.
“I putted really well during my round today, but did not drive the ball as well as I did yesterday. It was very tricky with lots of cross winds, but I am happy with how I finished the round with a couple of birdies coming in. It always make you feel good,” a satisfied Walter said.
Justin Walters made back-to-back birdies to card a second 64. 👏 #SunbetChallenge #SunbetChallengeBoardwalk pic.twitter.com/Go73UMyCba
— Sunshine Tour (@Sunshine_Tour) May 21, 2026
His nearest challengers are Jacques Blaauw and Welshman Jack Davidson on 11 under par after both signed for second rounds of 65.
“My game is in good shape at the moment,” said Walters. “I stopped implementing so many swing changes and worked really hard on my short game and putting. I even changed my putting grip. My focus is to hit solid putts and at the moment they are going in.”
Walters is due a win on the Sunshine Tour, with his last victory coming in 2011 when he won the Investec Royal Swazi Open.
“I haven’t won in a long time. I’ve honestly been wanting to do that. That’s why we tee it up and work so hard – to put ourselves in these positions. So, the gameplan for the final round is more of the same. Over three rounds you can’t take your foot off the gas. You’ve got to keep going. I will be as aggressive as I can, and as long as I make some putts, then I think I will be in contention for the victory.”
SCORES
129 - Justin Walters 65 64
133 - Jacques Blaauw 68 65
133 - Jack Davidson 68 65
134 - Kyle De Beer 64 70
134 - Jean Hugo 67 67, Nikhil Rama 68 66
135 - Daniel van Tonder 68 67
135 - Benjamin Van Wyk 67 68, Allen John 69 66
136 - Malcolm Mitchell 69 67
136 - Jaco Prinsloo 70 66, Jason Roets 70 66, Toto Thimba Jnr 67 69, Dian Kruger 70 66, Tristen Strydom 67 69, Charl Barnard 68 68
137 - Carlos Bustos 69 68
137 - Gabriel Morgan 70 67, James Mack 71 66
138 - Keenan Davidse 69 69
138 - Martin Rohwer 72 66, Estiaan Conradie 68 70, Albert Venter 71 67, Louis Albertse 71 67, Agustin Errazuriz 69 69
139 - Rupert Kaminski 74 65
139 - Martin Vorster 69 70, Joe Sullivan 70 69, Haydn Porteous 71 68, Luke Brown 67 72, Samuel Simpson 73 66
140 - Wynand Dingle 69 71
140 - Oliver Goldhill 70 70, Hennie O'Kennedy 72 68, Quintin Wilsnach 71 69
141 - Ryan van der Klis 74 67
141 - Pierre Viallaneix 72 69, Tristan Leonard 75 66, Daniel Cronje 73 68, Rigardt Albertse 71 70, Altin van der Merwe 70 71, Graham van der Merwe 69 72, Brandon Pieters 70 71
142 - Benjamin Kedochim 74 68
142 - Pierre Pellegrin 73 69, Doug McGuigan 73 69, Tyran Snyders 71 71, Jacques P de Villiers 72 70, Kyle Barker 69 73, Jaco Ahlers 73 69, Lyle Rowe 72 70, Gustavo Silva 74 68, Jordan Burnand 75 67, Pieter Moolman 73 69, Ruan Korb 74 68
Missed the cut:
143 - Stephen Ferreira 70 73
143 - Travis Ladner 75 68, Tyrone Ryan 74 69, Otto Van Buynder 73 70, Liam Grehan 73 70, Jacques Van der Merwe 74 69, Kian Rose 71 72, Keagan Thomas 74 69, Matthew Spacey 71 72, Merrick Bremner 72 71, Jaden Deltel 73 70, Shaunak Rama 68 75
144 - Franklin Manchest 73 71
144 - Vuyisani Makama 73 71, Dillon Germshuys 73 71, Ruan de Smidt 76 68, Njoroge Kibugu 75 69
145 - Joe Knox 75 70
145 - Rowan Lester 71 74, Tomas Gana 72 73, Herman Loubser 74 71, Conner Mackenzie 75 70, Simon du Plooy 72 73, Shaydon Johnson 72 73
146 - Heinrich Bruiners 74 72
146 - Stuart Krog 74 72, Thomas Spreadborough 75 71, Christiaan Burke 74 72, Hayden Griffiths 73 73, Xander Basson 74 72
147 - Stals Swart 77 70
147 - Warwick Purchase 75 72, Rhys Enoch 80 67, Astin Arthur 72 75, Morris Schiefner 74 73, Gerhard Pepler 70 77
148 - Tristin Galant 76 72
148 - Ethan Smith 77 71, Keegan Mclachlan 75 73, Travis Procter 70 78, Matt Millar 73 75, Carter Rowe 74 74
149 - Neil Schietekat 74 75
149 - Ruben Van Der Berg 74 75
150 - Cole Stevens 71 79
150 - Jaco Van Zyl 78 72, Trevor Fisher Jnr 75 75, Dylan Mostert 78 72
151 - Kyle McClatchie 77 74
151 - Michael Bezuidenhout 74 77, Luke Jerling 72 79, Callum Bruce 79 72
152 - Stefan Wears-Taylor 75 77
152 - Adam Breen 78 74, Ockie Strydom 77 75, JJ Senekal 74 78
153 - Ronald Rugumayo 77 76
153 - Khanya Mkhize 77 76
154 - Ace Andile Adam 78 76
155 - Jordan Duminy 79 76
155 - Luis Carrera 74 81
157 - Ricky Hendler 79 78
157 - Eric Wowor 80 77
158 - Mitch Phigeland 81 77
158 - Steven Le Roux 80 78
159 - Lwazi Gqira 79 80
160 - Richard Kruger 76 84
163 - Keanu Pestana 81 82
WDN - Karabo Mokoena 81 WDN
RTD - Martin Leon 78 RTD
Image: Justin Walters ©Sunshine Tour/EJ Langner