IRENE, Gauteng – Jonathan Broomhead’s nine-under-par 63 at Irene Country Club on Friday carried him into the second-round lead of the Kit Kat Cash & Carry Pro-Am as the young Sunshine Tour professional has found form early in the new season.
The three-time Sunshine Tour winner holds the overall lead on 15 under par following a round in which he rolled in eight birdies and an eagle and dropped just one shot.
“Today was good. It’s nice to follow up a round like my 66 yesterday with a round like today. There is still a lot of golf to play. I am just going to play my game and I’m not focussing on the other players,” he said.
It’s a positive start to the new season for Broomhead, and following a strong 2024/25 season in which he finished fourth on the over Sunshine Tour Order of Merit delivered by The Courier Guy.
“It’s exiting. I had a bit of a break after last season so it’s nice to get back into things. Some form here is always nice and I hope to keep it going for the next few weeks. The body is feeling good, the swing is feeling good, so we will see how it goes,” he said.
His nearest challenger just one shot behind is the in-form Luis Carrera from Meixco. Carrera signed for a 67 on Friday as the winner of last week’s FBNC Zim Open continues his quest for back-to-back victories in his maiden season on the Sunshine Tour.
“It was a great week last week. It gave me some confidence. I am playing some good shots, putting the ball in play, and that gives me a good chance to attack pins this week,” he said.
JC Ritche made a late charge in the day with his eagle and two birdies in his final four holes for a 66 and third place on 13 under par.
The South African duo of Dylan Frittelli and Trevor Fisher Jnr are three strokes behind the leader in joint fourth place, with Frittelli looking especially threatening for the weekend after a second round of 63. – Michael Vlismas Media
