ZAMBIA, Kitwe – Jason Roets will head into Sunday’s final round of the Mopani Zambia Open at the Nkana Golf Club with a two-stroke lead over Frenchman Pierre Viallaneix, with Roets seeking to become a first-time Sunshine Tour winner and Viallaneix seeking to become the first French winner of this historic national Open.
Roets had to dig deep on Saturday as he signed for a round of one-over-par 73 and an overall score of seven under par. It was his highest round of the week.
Roets started the day with back-to-back birdies on the opening holes and quickly climbed to 10 under par as he opened an extensive lead. But then a bogey on the seventh was followed by a double-bogey on the par-four eighth hole.
The South African tried to steady the ship on his way to the clubhouse, but more bogeys followed on the 14th and 16th holes for Roets to draw level with Viallaneix, who took the clubhouse lead on five under par after signing for a round of 70.
An eagle on the par-five 17th hole proved his saving grace however and gave him the two-shot cushion he will carry into the final round.
But his nearest challenger Viallaneix, who missed out on his PGA Tour card and has come to the Sunshine Tour for the opportunities it provides, has his own motivation to win on Sunday.
“Zambia holds a special place for me because one of my closest family friends is from Lusaka. If I can win in him home country it would be incredible,” he said.
“I just fought hard. My ball striking wasn’t the best today but I just stayed steady all day. I made some good momentum putts when I needed to. I’m excited for the final round. It’s a good golf course and very demanding off the tee. You’ve got to hit it straight. But I like it.”
Keagan Thomas impressed with his round of 68 that included five birdies and only one bogey to join the first-round leader Haydn Porteous (71) on four under par and in joint third place. – Michael Vlismas Media
