Sunshine Tour rookie Cole Stevens will take a three-stroke lead into the weekend of the Limpopo Championship as he chases a maiden victory on the Tour.
Stevens signed for a bogey-free 65 at the Euphoria Golf and Lifestyle Estate on Friday, lifting him into the lead on 12 under par overall.
Stevens, currently third on the Fortress Rookie of the Year standings, has some strong experience behind him though. His nearest challenger is Jacques Blaauw on nine under after his round of 69. Blaauw has finished second in this tournament before.
But Stevens is relishing the competition on Tour after making the transition from college golf.
“I am enjoying it so far. I really love competition golf. Seeing my name in the mix for the Fortress Rookie of the Year just keeps me even more motivated, not only to climb the rookie standings but also the regular Courier Guy Order of Merit,” Stevens said.
“Today was a really nice day – bogey-free on the scorecard which is always great. I was hitting the ball good for most parts of the day and all-in-all it was a good round.”
Leading a strong field by three shots heading into the weekend, Stevens says he will rely on what has worked for him thus far.
“I’m just going to try and keep to my processes and my routines. I am sure that will carry me through until Sunday.”
The Frenchman Pierre Viallaneix also impressed on Friday with a round of seven-under-par 65, moving him into third place on eight under par for the tournament.
SCORES
-12 - Cole Stevens 67 65
-9 - Jacques Blaauw 66 69
-8 - Pierre Viallaneix 71 65
-6 - Ethan Smith 72 66
-6 - Tyran Snyders 68 70, Kyle Barker 70 68, Oliver Goldhill 69 69
-5 - Luke Brown 69 70
-5 - George Coetzee 72 67
-4 - Xander Basson 70 70
-4 - Graham van der Merwe 72 68, Stefan Jacobs 69 71, Morris Schiefner 68 72, Jonathan Broomhead 72 68, Gerhard Pepler 71 69, Agustin Errazuriz 71 69
-3 - Benjamin Van Wyk 69 72
-3 - Stuart Krog 69 72, Stals Swart 70 71, Jordan Burnand 72 69
-2 - Estiaan Conradie 69 73
-2 - Keagan Thomas 75 67, Brandon Pieters 73 69, Rowan Lester 70 72, Nikhil Rama 73 69, Altin van der Merwe 74 68
-1 - Joe Sullivan 73 70
-1 - Karabo Mokoena 72 71, Kian Rose 71 72, Franklin Manchest 72 71, Benjamin Kedochim 71 72, Jaden Deltel 74 69, Quintin Wilsnach 71 72
Par - Jason Roets 71 73
Par - Kyle De Beer 73 71, Toto Thimba Jnr 73 71, Martin Leon 73 71, Warwick Purchase 74 70, Anthony Michael 73 71, Allen John 72 72, Tafadzwa Nyamukondiwa 72 (Par) [15] +1 - Neil Schietekat 73 72
+1 - Wynand Dingle 75 70, Jbe' Kruger 70 75, Tristan Leonard 75 70, Lyle Pedro 72 73, Jacques P de Villiers 73 72, Malcolm Mitchell 71 74, Trevor Fisher Jnr 73 72, Keenan Davidse 70 75
+2 - Rupert Kaminski 76 70
+2 - Conner Mackenzie 73 73, Tumelo Molloyi 73 73, James Mack 72 74, Liam Grehan 72 74, Rigardt Albertse 72 74, Ruan Korb 72 74, Tristen Strydom 71 75, JJ Senekal 71 75, Vuyisani Makama 72 74, Simon du Plooy 74 72, Martin Rohwer 77 69, Lyle Rowe 73 73, Charl Barnard 70 76, Travis Ladner 73 (+1) [15]
Missed the cut:-
+3 - Jean-Paul Strydom 77 70
+3 - Carter Rowe 70 77, Jacques Van der Merwe 78 69, Albert Venter 74 73, Keegan Mclachlan 74 73, Luke Jerling 74 73, Matthew Spacey 74 73
+4 - Ricky Hendler 75 73
+4 - Thomas Spreadborough 74 74, Matt Millar 77 71, Ruan de Smidt 74 74, Judd Sundelson 75 73, Jastice Mashego 72 76, Tyrone Ryan 76 72, Travis Procter 76 72, Stephen Ferreira 74 74, Wandre Snyman 74 74, Stefan Wears-Taylor 72 76, Nyasha Muyambo 73 75
+5 - Musiwalo Nethunzwi 76 73
+5 - Thabiso Ngcobo 76 73, Hayden Griffiths 75 74, Khanya Mkhize 74 75, Callum Bruce 76 73, Shaunak Rama 75 74, Pierre Pellegrin 72 77
+6 - Lwazi Gqira 75 75
+6 - Njoroge Kibugu 75 75, Eric Wowor 72 78, Dylan Mostert 79 71
+7 - Shaydon Johnson 76 75
+7 - Hennie O'Kennedy 76 75
+8 - Keanu Pestana 74 78
+8 - Mitch Phigeland 77 75, Khaya Jika 77 75
+9 - Steven Le Roux 78 75
+9 - Liam van Deventer 78 75, Otto Van Buynder 74 79
+10 - Amicus De Beer 75 (+7) [15]
+11 - Alphius Kelapile 74 81
+11 - Rhys West 76 79, Jaco Van Zyl 78 77
+12 - Kian Coetzer 80 76
+12 - Dillon Germshuys 77 79
+16 - Dian Kruger 80 80
+16 - Keelan Africa 77 83
+13 - Mpho Makhado 86 81
WDN - Ryan van der Klis 82 WDN
RTD - Jacques Kruyswijk 72 RTD [12], Umar Davids 82 DSQ