Cole Stevens held onto his lead in the Stella Artois Players Championship as he climbed to 12 under par at Glendower Golf Club on Friday. But he is now only one shot clear of the in-form Luke Brown heading into the weekend.
Stevens signed for a second round of 70, which was a solid follow-up after his opening 62. Brown, his nearest challenger, posted a 67.
And Deon Germishuys moved into contention on 10 under par with a 67 of his own.
Stevens had to show immense composure on Friday to stay ahead of the field. His front nine yielded eight pars and one bogey.
“I had a tough start to the front nine. I couldn’t really get anything going. I did hit some quality golf shots, but just didn’t capitalise on it,” said Stevens.
But he did find some rhythm on the back nine.
“The back nine started better with two birdies on the 11th and 12th holes. During the middle of the back nine it was a bit shaky, but I still managed to get some key up-and-downs and big momentum shots. I thought I hit the ball really solid, but I just misjudged the wind on quite a few holes. I will aim to correct that going into the weekend. The key aspect to keep scores low on this golf course is being straight off the tee. The back nine is a lot more demanding than the front nine as the par-four holes are a lot longer and it’s a lot harder to hold the fairways.”
This weekend presents yet another opportunity for Stevens to claim a victory in a rookie season that has already seen him come close in the Rwanda Open and Limpopo Championship.
“It’s always a privilege to be in the lead going into the weekend. I’m just going to try and relish every moment and take it one hole and one shot at a time.”
132 - Cole Stevens 62 70
133 - Luke Brown 66 67
134 - Deon Germishuys 67 67
135 - Graham van der Merwe 68 67
135 - Ruan Korb 69 66, Malan Potgieter 70 65
136 - Rigardt Albertse 69 67
136 - Rowan Lester 70 66
137 - Tyran Snyders 70 67
137 - Warwick Purchase 69 68, Martin Rohwer 70 67, Malcolm Mitchell 68 69
138 - Herman Loubser 69 69
138 - Robson Chinhoi 70 68, Ockie Strydom 67 71
139 - Jason Roets 75 64
139 - Jonathan Broomhead 72 67, Doug McGuigan 69 70, JJ Senekal 69 70, Keagan Thomas 67 72, Nikhil Rama 68 71
140 - Kyle Barker 71 69
140 - Simon du Plooy 70 70, Travis Ladner 72 68, Jacques Van der Merwe 74 66, Kyle De Beer 72 68, Haydn Porteous 71 69, Jordan Burnand 73 67, Callum Bruce 69 71
141 - Keenan Davidse 72 69
141 - George Coetzee 75 66, Daniel van Tonder 75 66, Allen John 73 68, Steven Le Roux 67 74, Dillon Germshuys 67 74, Hayden Griffiths 69 72, Altin van der Merwe 68 73, Quintin Wilsnach 72 69
142 - Conner Mackenzie 71 71
142 - Rupert Kaminski 71 71, Agustin Errazuriz 70 72, Gerhard Pepler 69 73, Austin Bautista 72 70, Christiaan Burke 72 70, Brandon Stone 71 71, Pierre Pellegrin 70 72, Tomas Gana 72 70, Gabriel Morgan 72 70
143 - Vuyisani Makama 69 74
143 - Anthony Michael 73 70, Luke Jerling 75 68, Keelan Africa 76 67, Jaco Prinsloo 71 72, Heinrich Bruiners 72 71, Jacques P de Villiers 72 71, Dian Kruger 69 74
Missed the cut:-
144 - Rhys Enoch 68 76
144 - James Mack 78 66, Neil Schietekat 73 71, Samuel Simpson 73 71, Charl Barnard 72 72, Jose Cristobal Islas 74 70, Lyle Pedro 76 68, Benjamin Kedochim 73 71, Joe Sullivan 76 68, Pierre Viallaneix 72 72, Thomas Spreadborough 77 67
145 - Adam Breen 72 73
145 - Peter Karmis 73 72, Wynand Dingle 74 71, Luis Carrera 75 70, Jacques Blaauw 74 71, Stals Swart 75 70, Tristin Galant 76 69, Tristan Leonard 70 75, Stuart Krog 73 72, Musiwalo Nethunzwi 74 71
146 - Jaden Deltel 72 74
146 - Toto Thimba Jnr 75 71, Keegan Mclachlan 75 71, Stephen Ferreira 70 76
147 - Ronald Rugumayo 75 72
147 - Hennie O'Kennedy 76 71, Tyrone Ryan 72 75, Manuel Cue Vargas 75 72, Tumelo Molloyi 72 75, Morris Schiefner 73 74, Ethan Smith 74 73, Lyle Rowe 74 73, Dayne Moore 73 74
148 - Njoroge Kibugu 71 77
148 - Ryan van der Klis 74 74, Ricky Hendler 73 75, Estiaan Conradie 76 72, Astin Arthur 76 72, Jaco Van Zyl 77 71, Benjamin Van Wyk 73 75
149 - Travis Procter 77 72
149 - Keanu Pestana 77 72, Tristen Strydom 76 73, Brandon Pieters 75 74, Jordan Wessels 71 78, Otto Van Buynder 77 72, Eric Wowor 73 76, Rhys West 76 73, Matt Millar 76 73
150 - Ulrich van den Berg 77 73
150 - Justin Walters 76 74, Mandla Dlamini Jnr 76 74, Jacquin Hess 77 73, Oliver Goldhill 72 78
151 - Carter Rowe 76 75
151 - Kian Rose 80 71, Trevor Fisher Jnr 80 71, Xander Basson 78 73, Ruan de Smidt 76 75, Matthew Spacey 76 75, Liam Grehan 74 77
152 - Tafadzwa Nyamukondiwa 76 76
152 - Carlos Bustos 74 78
153 - Makhetha Mazibuko 78 75
153 - Jarryd Govender 79 74, Allister de Kock 76 77, Albert Venter 75 78, Shaydon Johnson 79 74, Thabiso Ngcobo 78 75
154 - Sentanio Minnie 81 73
154 - Franklin Manchest 79 75
155 - Dylan Mostert 79 76
155 - Shaheed Patel 78 77, Thanda Mavundla 75 80
157 - Thabang Simon 78 79
158 - Shaahid Mahmed 84 74
160 - Nyasha Muyambo 81 79
161 - Brandon-Jude Rennie 82 79
162 - Mark Maart 78 84
164 - Evance Vukeya 81 83
167 - Austin Mabaso 84 83
WDN - Shaunak Rama 82 WDN
WDN - Karabo Mokoena 80 WDN, Jean-Paul Strydom 79 WDN, Ryan Van Velzen 75 WDN