Nobuhle Dlamini tightened her grip on this year’s NTT Data Ladies Pro-Am and is seeking her own unique place in the history of this tournament as its first multiple champion.
Dlamini - who won the event in 2019 – signed for a second round of 70 on Fancourt’s Montagu course on Saturday to share a one-stroke lead with Norway’s Tina Mazarino on seven under par.
Mazarino added a second round of 69 on the Outeniqua.
“It would be such an amazing feeling to win it twice. It’s one of the best tournaments that we get to play. It’s the top players competing for a purse of R2 500 000, so it would be a good win in such a prestigious event,” said Dlamini.
South Africa’s Lee-Anne Pace, also a previous champion of the tournament, is one shot behind on six-under-par for the tournament following her second round of 68 on the Montagu.
Spain’s Harang Lee will also start the final round on six under after her round of 69 on the Montagu.
But Dlamini is drawing on the memories of her 2019 triumph as she seeks to close out a win on Sunday.
“I still have that feeling, that winning feeling. I didn’t strike the ball as well as I did yesterday, but overall I think I did well. I need to go and hit some balls on the driving range to try and figure it out as I need to feel comfortable for the final round. But I’m really looking forward to it. I’ve got another opportunity to come back stronger. I’m still leading and I’m happy with that.”
The final round will be played on the Montagu course.
SCORES
137 - Nobuhle Dlamini (SWZ) 67 70, Tina Mazarino (NOR) 68 69
138 - Harang Lee (ESP) 69 69, Lee-Anne Pace 70 68
139 - Danielle du Toit 69 70
141 - Verena Gimmy (GER) 73 68, Romy Meekers (NED) 69 72, Emily Penttila (FIN) 72 69
142 - Vanessa Knecht (SUI) 77 65
143 - Nadia van der Westhuizen 72 71
144 - Ellie Vorster (CAN) 71 73, Carolin Kauffmann (GER) 75 69, Cara Gorlei 72 72, Helen Kreuzer (GER) 69 75
145 - Florentyna Parker (ENG) 69 76, Anne-Lise Caudal (FRA) 70 75, Pasqualle Coffa (NED) 72 73, Hayley Davis (ENG) 72 73
146 - Ivanna Samu 68 78, Alexandra Swayne (ISV) 73 73, Nina Pegova (WHT) 74 72, Gabrielle Venter 74 72