SASOLBURG, Free State (18 January 2025) – Austria’s Max Steinlechner will take a one-stroke lead into Sunday’s final round of the Sunshine Tour’s Mediclinic Invitational at the Heron Banks Golf and River Resort.
The former top-ranked Austrian amateur and North Carolina State University golfer signed for a third round of 65 to top the field on 19 under par, and including a strong run of five birdies in six holes over the turn.
He is one stroke clear of Daniel van Tonder, who posted a 65 of his own including two eagles in three holes on the back nine as he chases a first victory in 2025.
Jacques Blaauw heads into Sunday’s final round in third place on 16 under par following a 64, while Nikhil Rama produced the low round of the day with a 63 that lifted him to 11 under par overall.
Steinlechner has taken full advantage of being granted an invitation this week and is now one round away from a maiden victory on the Sunshine Tour.
“I am playing this week on an invite as preparation for the upcoming co-sanctioned HotelPlanner Tour (formerly European Challenge Tour) events on the Sunshine Tour,” he told the Sunshine Tour.
After graduating from college in 2023, Steinlechner teed off his professional career with a few tournament invitations on the HotelPlanner Tour. “I started playing well in the second half of the season and finished 61st on the rankings, which gives me a full category on the Tour this year,” he said.
It’s a positive start for the Austrian in South Africa and definitely the preparation he’s looking for ahead of the four co-sanctioned tournaments between the Sunshine Tour and HotelPlanner Tour in January and February, and starting with next week’s SDC Open.
“It’s my first tournament of the year so I’m happy with the way I’ve started. I really like being here. The people are nice, the food is very good. It’s also nice for me to be able to play golf now because it’s winter in the northern hemisphere. I really enjoy being here and having the opportunity to play,” he said. – Michael Vlismas
