After a draining period of playing pre-qualifiers, German professional Allen John has finally started to see his form turn as he signed for a 63 to lead The Serengeti Playoffs on 13 under par going into the weekend at Serengeti Estates.
John is two shots ahead of Daniel van Tonder, who also posted a 63 on Friday. Jaco Prinsloo and Ockie Strydom are currently tied third on nine under par following their second rounds of 68.
John has worked incredibly hard to get to this point, and admits it was a relief to post a low score after weeks in which he’s had to pre-qualify on the Sunshine Tour and then been unable to make the cuts. But last week’s Joburg Open was something of a turning point for him as he finally made it to the weekend and finished tied 18th in this Sunshine Tour and DP World Tour co-sanctioned tournament.
“I’m very pleased with today’s round. I managed to give myself chances and took advantage of most of them. It was really nice to see a low score. That always helps. The last few weeks have been really tough physically and mentally. I’m happy it is finally showing signs of turning. If you look at the scores now it feels like a turning point for me,” said John.
The German professional is currently in his rookie season solely on the Sunshine Tour and has impressed all not just with his golf, but because of the fact that he is also severely hearing impaired.
John was born deaf. He wears hearing aids which take his hearing up to 85 per cent, but there are still elements of professional golf that he has to deal with uniquely.
“When I was born, they didn’t do the hearing tests in the hospital. It was only later that my mother started to realise I wasn’t reacting to voices and sounds, and she then had tests done which confirmed my hearing impairment. When it comes to golf, every noise has a certain frequency, and high-pitched tones like birds are almost impossible for me to hear even with the hearing aids. And when it comes to the actual playing of the game, a professional golfer would normally react to the sound of the ball on the club or how the club hits the ground. But I don’t recognise those sounds. I do everything based on touch and feel. So I’ve had to teach myself to take my feedback directly from touch. That’s one of the main differences for me compared to other players. Also, when there’s wind on the course it’s annoying because the hearing aid becomes like a microphone in the wind. But I get along just fine.”
Now he has his best chance at a victory on the Sunshine Tour.
“I’m really enjoying this tournament at Serengeti. The weekend is going to be fun. I’ve got a lot of golf left – 36 holes. But I’m happy where I’m at now and let’s see what the weekend brings.”
SCORES
131 - Allen John 68 63
133 - Daniel van Tonder 70 63
135 - Jaco Prinsloo 67 68
135 - Ockie Strydom 67 68
136 - Graham van der Merwe 69 67
136 - Pierre Viallaneix 71 65, Wilco Nienaber 67 69, Keenan Davidse 68 68
137 - Pieter Moolman 71 66
137 - JC Ritchie 66 71, JJ Senekal 70 67, Kyle Barker 68 69, Benjamin Follett-Smith 69 68, Brandon Stone 71 66, Kieron van Wyk 70 67
138 - Ruan Korb 72 66
138 - Austin Bautista 69 69, Stals Swart 67 71
139 - Martin Vorster 66 73
139 - MJ Daffue 69 70, Bryce Easton 71 68, MJ Viljoen 70 69, Haydn Porteous 69 70
140 - Yurav Premlall 74 66
140 - Samuel Simpson 68 72, Jaco Ahlers 71 69
141 - Joe Long 73 68
141 - Jean Hugo 73 68, Kyle McClatchie 72 69, Tyrone Ryan 70 71, Jordan Burnand 69 72, Trevor Fisher Jnr 71 70
142 - Nikhil Rama 71 71
142 - Tyran Snyders 68 74, Malcolm Mitchell 70 72, Stuart Krog 75 67
143 - Jason Roets 73 70
143 - Warwick Purchase 71 72, Herman Loubser 70 73, Lyle Rowe 74 69
144 - Rowan Lester 74 70
144 - Michael Hollick 72 72, Kyle De Beer 70 74, Jacques P de Villiers 73 71, Estiaan Conradie 75 69
145 - Altin van der Merwe 75 70
145 - Dylan Frittelli 75 70, Louis Albertse 73 72, Rupert Kaminski 76 69, Luis Carrera 71 74
146 - Christiaan Burke 74 72
146 - Anthony Michael 71 75
147 - Ryan Van Velzen 75 72
148 - Benjamin Van Wyk 76 72
148 - Gerhard Pepler 74 74
149 - James Mack 77 72
149 - Jacques Blaauw 75 74
150 - Luke Brown 78 72
150 - Hennie Otto 77 73
153 - Xander Basson 79 74