DAINFERN, Johannesburg – Casey Jarvis shot a 59 to equal the lowest tournament round in Sunshine Tour history in Saturday’s third round of the Stella Artois Players Championship at Dainfern Country Club and which puts him two shots behind tournament leader Luca Filippi.
It was another day of the most incredible scoring in a tournament that has already delivered some world-class golf.
Jarvis tapped in for par on 18 for his 59 on Saturday to equal the 59 shot by Peter Karmis in the 2009 Lombard Insurance Classic on the Royal Swazi Spa Golf Course in eSwatini.
It lifted him to tied second with Lyle Rowe on 20 under par, with Filippi scoring 29 on the back nine for a 66 that earned him the sole lead on 22 under par.
But 19-year-old Jarvis stole the show with his record-equaling round.
“I definitely didn’t wake up this morning thinking about a 59. I haven’t been playing well leading up to this round but everything just went for me today. You get out there and the putts just start dropping,” said Jarvis.
The putts started dropping for him as early as the second hole where he made his first birdie of the day. It started a run of seven consecutive birdies for a front nine of 29. Then Jarvis added two birdies and two eagles on the back nine for a 30.
“I hit some good quality shots and rolled in a lot of good putts. The putt on seven was quite long and when that went in I knew it was going to be something quite special,” said Jarvis.
“The eagle on the 17th was really big. I stood on the 18th tee with 59 in my mind. I hit a bad drive but got it done. It’s so tough to do.”
Filippi was delighted with his own performance, and particular the work he’s been doing on staying in the moment and not being sidetracked by what is going on around him. Saturday was certainly a good day to put that to the test.
“I think I did a great job of staying patient and in the present with all the birdies out there. I’m very pleased with the way I’ve played this week and I’ll give it my all in the final round. Casey’s 59 was incredible golf and it will be a good battle with him on the final day. But I’m really comfortable with the position I’m in at the moment.”
Between Jarvis’ record-equaling golf and Filippi shooting his second consecutive 29 over nine holes in this tournament, Daniel van Tonder also added to a day of thrilling golf with his hole-in-one on the par-three 16th, earning himself R200 000 from sponsor Stella Artois. – Michael Vlismas
