Louis Liebenberg carded a blemish-free six-under 66 in the second round of the 10th Betway Big Easy Tour event, ensuring his place among the four co-leaders ahead of the final round at Ebotse Links.
Following an opening round of 73, Liebenberg knew he had his work cut out for him if he wanted to make the cut at this final event of the regular season. He quietly went about his business and took the opportunities he created for himself.
“To be honest, not much changed between today and yesterday,” noted Liebenberg after his sparkling round. “I just putted a little bit better today. I gave myself opportunities like I did yesterday but a few more putts dropped today.
"If you can go without a single bogey in tournament golf, then you know you’re doing something right. But, like I said, the putting was good today and I was able to get myself out of trouble really well. That felt pretty good.”
At five-under for the week, Liebenberg ties the lead with Oliver Goldhill, Tristan Leonard and overnight leader, Austin Cherichella of the United States.
“Tomorrow is going to be a great challenge,” Liebenberg said. “But I always enjoy a good challenge. The aim is to keep doing the same things I’ve done in the first two days and to enjoy it; try to give myself some opportunities, stick to the game plan and see where it takes us.”
Lying just a single stroke off the pace, Bradley De Beer and amateur Vuyisani Makama, will relish the opportunity to unseat Liebenberg and company from the summit of the leaderboard.
Experienced campaigner Andre De Decker, Jake Bolton, Travis Ladner, Dillon Germishuys and amateur Ethan Gough, all three-under-par for the week, will also feel they have a chance, especially given that a two-stroke lead can be easily overturned.
This 10th event of the season is the last tournament of the season before the Play Off and The Final. Only the top 50 players on the Order of Merit after this 54-hole event will be eligible for the Play Off, while the top 30 after the Play Off will compete in The Final.
The Betway Big Easy Tour is the Sunshine Tour’s feeder circuit and enjoys the support of the legendary Ernie Els, among other patrons.