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EDENVALE, Gauteng – Other than an approaching thunderstorm, defending champion Robin Williams had little to worry about in the final round of the Fortress Invitational at Glendower Golf Club on Sunday, cruising to a three-stroke victory as he shot a five-under 67 to finish on 22-under-par.

Williams showed great focus and composure with a classy round which was faultless until the last hole, when a sudden gust of wind just before the storm broke led to a bogey five. The 23-year-old had all but ensured victory, however, with his fifth birdie by the par-five 11^th hole, and he added a sixth on the next par-five, the 17^th. The big-hitting Williams once again took advantage of the par-fives, birdieing all four of them on Sunday.

“It means everything to defend such an unbelievable tournament. I just tried to focus on what worked last year and I didn’t think too much about the leaderboard. I set a target in my head and I knew if I got to 22-under then I would be difficult to catch. If someone did overtake me, then fair play to them,” Williams said.

“So I tried to get there as quickly as possible and then just hold on. I was a nervous wreck at the start, but I just kept telling myself that I was in the exact same position as last year and I just tried to build on those memories. I just had to grind and limit the bogeys, and I’m very proud I managed it even though it got very windy.

“It’s been an incredible year, I’m still trying to piece together what happened and my game is completely different to last year, I have improved so much. Hopefully I keep improving and can carry that through to a full schedule in Europe next year,” Williams said.

There was an air of inevitability about Williams’ triumph, even though Daniel van Tonder, who has twice come from behind to win this season, shot a 67 as well, birdieing the last two holes to finish on 19-under-par.

Yurav Premlall (68) and Keenan Davidse (70) shared third place on 15-under-par, while Jonathan Broomhead (68), Jovan Rebula (72) and Kyle Barker (72) were fifth on 13-under. Herman Loubser soared up the leaderboard into a share of eighth with his seven-under 65, joining Werner Deyzel (69) and Altin van der Merwe (74) on 12-under-par.

Rookie Van der Merwe was tied for second at the start of the final round, as was Kyle de Beer, whose challenge was ended by three successive bogeys from the third hole, as he shot a 75 to finish on 11-under-par.

EDENVALE, Gauteng – Defending champion Robin Williams collected two eagles on Saturday, the first of them a pivotal moment as he came back from a tough start, on his way to a two-under-par 70 which stretched his lead to three strokes after the third round of the Fortress Invitational at Glendower Golf Club.

Williams began the day with a one-stroke lead but he quickly fell from his pedestal after a double-bogey six and a bogey five on the first two holes. But he fought back superbly, holing a great eagle putt on the 500-metre par-five sixth. A birdie on the par-four seventh meant he was back on par, and another eagle, on the 509-metre par-five 11^th, put him back on the top of the leaderboard. A massive drive, 350 metres into the wind, was followed by a mediocre approach, but Williams then chipped in his third. After that he parred his way home.

“I really wasn’t good this morning and got off to a really bad start. It was chaos, a super-scrappy first two holes and then I had to make a six-footer for par on the third. But I said to my cousin [caddie Damian Williams] that we had been in this situation lots of times before and we just needed to keep our heads down and weather the storm. We just had to keep it together and try and get the pars going,” Williams said.

“The eagle on six was massive. It was a 25-foot big, old, swinging putt and I needed that kickstart after the rough beginning. If you had told me on the third tee that I would finish level-par after the front nine, I would have jumped on it. I’m very happy with the turnaround and I’ve put myself in a position to win.

“I surprised myself with how far my drive went on 11, maybe it hit a sprinklerhead. I was disappointed with my second because it was such a massive drive and I had only a nine-iron in. Fortunately the ball was sitting up though and I just tried to get the chip close, luckily it went in. It’s been so hot and it’s at altitude, so I really wanted to take advantage of the par-fives. I treated them as par-fours and if I can do the same tomorrow then I’ll be in good shape.

“But there is still a lot of golf out there tomorrow, lots of guys trying to hunt me down. I was in a similar position last year and I know it’s going to be nervous, stressful and not fun. But I’ll just try and enjoy it and play with a smile on my face. I’ve already done myself proud,” Williams said.

Kyle de Beer, the leader on the Fortress Rookie of the Year standings, had his fill of birdies on the back nine as he came home in 31 to sign for a 66 and tied-second on 14-under-par.

Altin van der Merwe is third on the Fortress Rookie of the Year standings and he joined De Beer in second after making birdie on the 18^th for a two-under 70.

Daniel van Tonder was one behind Williams at the start of the third round, but he had trouble with the fourth and fifth holes, making bogey at both. He made birdies at the sixth and 17^th holes, finishing level-par and staying second on 14-under.

First round leader Kyle Barker (68), Keenan Davidse (69) and Jovan Rebula (71) will tee it off on Sunday on 13-under-par, four behind Williams, who will bid to become the first golfer to defend a title on the Sunshine Tour since George Coetzee successfully defended the Vodacom Origins of Golf De Zalze in August 2022.

EDENVALE, Gauteng – Defending champion Robin Williams said an outstanding start and playing in the same threeball as a charging Daniel van Tonder were pivotal to his 65 on Friday, which gave him the lead after the second round of the Fortress Invitational at Glendower Golf Club.

Williams backed up his excellent 64 on the first day with a seven-under-par round that lifted him to 15-under-par at the halfway stage of the R2 million event, with Van Tonder firing a fabulous nine-under 63 on Friday to sit just one stroke behind on 14-under-par.

Altin van der Merwe (67) and Jovan Rebula (66) are a further two strokes behind, while first-round leader Kyle Barker is on nine-under, six behind, after a level-par 72 on Friday.

Williams made three birdies in the first four holes, and reached the turn in five-under, but as most of the field found, the back nine was more testing and he came home in two-under, including a bogey at the par-three 12^th.

Van Tonder was the exception as he birdied the 10^th, 11^th and 14^thholes and then eagled the 477-metre, par-five 17^th to come home in 31.

“I had a good start and that set the tone for the whole round. I just had to keep the momentum going,” Williams said.

“I’m very happy. You’re always pleased when you put yourself in position to win. I’ve gone above my expectations already. It’s my first title defence ever and there was quite a lot of pressure.

“But my favourite part of today was playing with Daniel. We fed off each other. He played seriously good golf today and I’m looking forward to us pushing each other, bringing out the best in each other, over the weekend. It was great fun with him today and there was a stretch where he just could not stop getting birdies and I was just trying to keep up with him,” Williams said.

Because of the exciting promise he has shown and his success in the last year, Williams has had to mature quickly under the weight of attention. Especially after his sensational fourth-place finish in the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship.

“It’s been tough handling all the external stuff, but I’m kinda learning how to handle it day in, day out. When I put my South African SIM card back in my phone, the number of messages waiting for me after the Dunhill Links was hectic.

“But I’m going to have to get used to it and learn to enjoy it. I still want to get my story out there as much as possible,” the 23-year-old Williams said.

Van der Merwe is 27 years old and only turned pro this year, but he showed why his amateur record was so good as he recovered from back-to-back bogeys on the third and fourth holes by collecting four birdies in the next five holes.

Rebula’s 66 included just one bogey and an eagle on the par-five 11^th.

American Will Zalatoris will make his debut at the Nedbank Golf Challenge at Sun City from December 5-8, 2024, with tickets and exciting luxury public hospitality options available to buy here…,or to book at [email protected].

The 28-year-old PGA Tour champion will join fellow American and defending champion Max Homa in this DP World Tour event, which is played in honour of Gary Player and in partnership with Nedbank and Sun International.

Zalatoris makes his debut in a tournament that he has long wanted to participate in, and from which he had to withdraw in 2022 as a result of injury.

“I’m thrilled to be heading to South Africa for the Nedbank Golf Challenge,” said Zalatoris. “I’ve had amazing experiences playing in DP World Tour tournaments around the globe, and I’m confident South Africa will be just as memorable.”

“I’ve heard a lot about the tournament and its rich history as one of the most prestigious events on the Tour, plus the chance to experience a new country and culture, it’s going to be a great week.”

The 2020-21 PGA Tour Rookie of the Year will tee off at the Gary Player Country Club with a solid year behind him, including a top-ten at The Masters which was the sixth top-ten in 14 starts of his Major Championship career.

The World Number 59 also had two top-five finishes on the PGA TOUR this year – including an emotional second place at The Genesis Invitational where he played with the weight of having lost a family member that week – that carried him to 38^th on the FedExCup standings.

Zalatoris, the winner of the 2022 FedEx St Jude Championship, adds to a strong field of international depth which will showcase the global diversity of the DP World Tour through players such as defending champion Homa, Canadian and Presidents Cup International Team member Corey Conners, the South African Olympic duo of Christiaan Bezuidenhout and Erik van Rooyen, and Sunshine Tour Order of Merit delivered by the Courier Guy winner Ryan van Velzen.

It will be a true showcase of golf talent that fans will be able to enjoy with a variety of hospitality options this year. The new luxury public Hospitali-TEE Lounge is aimed at elevating the normal day visitor experience with a brand new hospitality lounge located close to the Public Village and offering an air-conditioned facility with indoor and outdoor seating, a live feed of the golf, and catering throughout the day.

The package fee will include an official entrance ticket to the Nedbank Golf Challenge, accreditation for exclusive access to the Hospitali-TEE Lounge, a premium buffet including breakfast, lunch and afternoon snacks, a fully stocked open bar, an all-day coffee station, a live television feed of the golf, daily live entertainment, a daily player autograph opportunity, a sunscreen station, daily prizes and competitions, and official Nedbank Golf Challenge merchandise. To book click here…

The Hospitali-TEE on 18^th offers prime Nedbank Golf Challenge viewing in an air-conditioned luxury suite overlooking the 18^thgreen with under cover terrace. Fans will be able to enjoy an upmarket food experience, a premium tournament beverage bar, and live TV feed of the Nedbank Golf Challenge. It’s premier location also allows fans to enjoy the nearby ‘Africa’s Mini Major’ putt-putt tournament, visit the Merchandising Marquee or follow a favourite golfer around the course. The package fee will include an official entrance ticket to the Nedbank Golf Challenge, accreditation to enter ‘The Hospitali-TEE on 18^th’, a premium buffet offering breakfast, lunch, and afternoon snacks within the facility, a fully-stocked premium open bar, an all-day coffee station, live TV feed of daily play, daily player autograph opportunity, sunscreen station, a limited edition VIP packaged magnum wine (1.5l), an official branded Nedbank Golf Challenge golf shirt and cap, and a Buffalo Trace Bourbon whiskey tasting. There is also the opportunity to purchase additional package add-ons that include access to the official Welcome Dinner and the Beach Party, as well as golf at the Lost City Golf Course. To book please email [email protected]

EDENVALE, Gauteng – Kyle Barker has been trying to hone his game in preparation for the DP World Tour Qualifying School at the end of this month in Spain, and the 26-year-old fired an exceptional 63 in the opening round of the Fortress Invitational at Glendower Golf Club on Thursday to fill him with confidence.

The Serengeti Estates golfer enjoys a one-stroke lead in the R2 million event, after Werner Deyzel and defending champion Robin Williams pushed him hard with 64s.

Barker’s nine-under-par score, which was also bogey-free, was his best round of the season and it seems he could be peaking at the right time after a solid but unspectacular start to the campaign sees him sitting in 18^th position on the Order of Merit delivered by The Courier Guy.

“I had a great first couple of months but then things just slowed down. I was struggling a bit with my game and the set-up in my bag. But now I’ve found a really nice putter that is rolling the ball fantastically.

“This is my last event before going to the DP World Tour Qualifying School and I really enjoyed the day. I was hitting the ball really nicely on the range in my warm-up and I just wanted to keep that feeling going, so birdies on the first two holes was a great way to start. I didn’t know that I was going to make only 26 putts though!

“The greens were very receptive after the rain on Tuesday night, and long-irons were pretty much stopping where they landed and wayward tee-shots would not bounce into too much trouble under trees. So I could be quite aggressive, but the back nine was a bit tougher because the wind picked up,” Barker said.

The highlight of a round that was just the right therapy for Barker was his eagle on the par-five 11^th.

“I smashed a drive down the middle and I had 196 metres to the front left, but the wind was slightly in my face, about seven or eight metres. So I hit a 205-metre shot with a six-iron, it was a bit long, in the middle of the green, but I had a downhill, 30-foot putt which went straight in the middle of the hole, which was really cool,” Barker explained.

Deyzel and Williams also had eagles in the first round, both of them on the 500-metre par-five sixth. Williams hit a brilliant seven-iron from 165 metres to three feet, which put him level with Barker on nine-under-par, but he bogeyed the par-three eighth, his penultimate hole.

Williams continued the momentum from his brilliant fourth-place finish in the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship earlier this month and he was satisfied that he had positioned himself well in his first defence of a title in his professional career.

“It’s been really cool today. It’s the first time I’ve defended and I’m just remembering all the good memories from last year. It all kicked off for me here last year. Playing in Europe was good, but it is so tough there because everything is so different.

“My game was really good today, everything was solid, just a bit of a mistake on eight. But I kept the ball on the fairways. It’s just a course I really enjoy, the par-fives are not that long, so I picture them as par-fours and try to be more aggressive, as long as you find the fairway. I drove well and was able to take advantage of the par-fives.

“I will definitely take that first round. I just want to put myself in a position to defend on the back nine on Sunday,” Williams said.

EDENVALE, Gauteng – Altin van der Merwe will be keenly aware of the power of this week’s Fortress Invitational on the Sunshine Tour to turn a rookie season into a groundbreaking one.

The 27-year-old, who is currently third on the Fortress Rookie of the Year standings, will recall how Robin Williams won this title in his rookie season last year and now returns this week as the holder of a DP World Tour card.

Van Der Merwe heads into Thursday’s first round at Glendower Golf Club with two top-10s in his last five Sunshine Tour events. But it’s more the perspective he brings, having turned professional at a relatively later age than most, which Van Der Merwe feels is his biggest asset in this first season on Tour.

“I’ve had a few ups and a lot of downs in my life. As a result I feel like I know what’s out there and the disappointments you can go through. You learn to accept it a lot easier. Accepting is the biggest part of this game. If you hit a bad shot there’s nothing you can do about it but move on,” he says.

Van Der Merwe was 19 years old when he made his first attempt at the Sunshine Tour Qualifying School, and missed out by a single stroke. It was a career-defining moment for him, in more ways than one.

“I was pretty broken after Q School. We had a 10-hour drive the next day back to George and I decided we were going to drive through the night because I wasn’t going to stay there any longer. I didn’t say one word to my caddie or best friend at the time for 10 hours. The golf wasn’t the same for about two years after that. You get so emotional with this game.”

But what he did with his time thereafter was transforming. Van Der Merwe became one of South Africa’s top amateurs, rising through the ranks of GolfRSA and claiming a string of big titles. He also completed his studies and saw the real world in action while working as a waiter.

“I think if I’d made it at Q School then I would’ve struggled because I was a bit naive then. I was 19 and I thought I could take on anyone and anything, but you can’t beat golf. Now I’m glad I missed because I’ve achieved a lot of cool things in the past few years.”

This year April he returned to Q School, and won it.

Van Der Merwe has been close enough to a win twice already on the Sunshine Tour this season.

“I want to perform out here. I put a lot of pressure on myself, but my wife will often tell me to relax. But as long as I put myself in that position regularly, I’m going to have my chance.”

This week’s Fortress Invitational will also see South African Tyran Snyders play his first tournament as a professional on the Sunshine Tour as a product of the new Global Amateur Pathway. The Sunshine Tour, as part of the Strategic Alliance with the DP World Tour, is a key supporter of the Global Amateur Pathway which was launched by the DP World Tour, PGA Tour and The R&A. Its vision is to help the best eligible male non-collegiate amateur players within the top 20 on the World Amateur Golf Rankings take the next step in their careers and secure playing rights on the DP World Tour and partner tours such as the Sunshine Tour. – Michael Vlismas

EDENVALE, Gauteng – Robin Williams heads into this week’s Fortress Invitational knowing that his incredible form has not just caught the eye of golf fans, but also of South Africa’s greatest ever golfer – Gary Player.

The 23-year-old Williams will make the first title defence of his career in this Sunshine Tour event, which tees off at Glendower Golf Club on Thursday.

He does so having just enjoyed one of the most successful weeks of his career with a tied fourth place finish in the prestigious Alfred Dunhill Links Championship in Scotland, where he competed alongside Major winners in one of the strongest field in this tournament’s history.

And just when he thought it couldn’t get any better, the legendary Gary Player reached out to the young Sunshine Tour star.

“It’s unbelievable. This is something I couldn’t even dream of. I’ve looked up to him for so long and for him to contact me and congratulate me on my recent performances is something out of my wildest dreams. I just feel honoured,” Williams said during a practice round on Tuesday.

Williams is keenly aware that his journey to this point all started with his victory in the 2023 Fortress Invitational, which subsequently also secured him the Fortress Rookie of the Year title that season.

“I’ve got great memories from this golf course and it’s special to be here to try and defend my title. Everything kicked off from this week last year, and I’ll definitely draw on those memories this week.”

It’s been a whirlwind trip to Glendower for Williams. His groundbreaking week in Scotland secured him a place in the DP World Tour’s French Open the following week where he finished tied 65^th.

“I’ll probably take next week off so I can just process it all and plan my future. The week in Scotland has opened a lot of doors for me. But it’s just so good to be back in South Africa again and seeing all the familiar faces on the Sunshine Tour. I feel really blessed, and proud to be that player who came through the Sunshine Tour Qualifying School, played a whole season on the Tour and won, and then to do well in a big event like the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship – I think it shows the value of the product that is the Sunshine Tour. It shows that what they’re doing works because it’s producing great young players to come through and fly that South African flag. So this is going to be a special week and I’ll try and enjoy it as much as I can.”

And the congratulations of what he’s achieved recently will no doubt continue this week.

“I’ve definitely gotten a lot of congratulations. But none as big as Mr Player.” – Michael Vlismas

PORT EDWARD (KwaZulu-Natal) – Mount Edgecombe amateur golfer Neelesh Sitlu nearly retired injured after the first round of the Vodacom Origins of Golf Wild Coast Pro-Am this month, but the 16-handicapper bravely soldiered on in the second round and ended up winning the competition alongside Sunshine Tour professionals Pierre Pellegrin and Pride Sembo.
 
Sitlu, who played with Sembo in the first round and Pellegrin in the second as part of the unique format of this pro-am, finished on 87 points for a two-point victory.
 
It was a remarkable achievement for a golfer who only started playing the game two years ago and was playing in his first pro-am. And even more so considering his injury.
 
“On the first day I was trying to outdrive the pros from our forward tees, but I ended up pulling or tearing something in my right arm. I barely slept. I was buying ice for my arm, using towels soaked in hot water and I even called my dad, who is a GP, and my cousin, who is a physio, for advice.
 
“On the second morning I could barely move my arm, but then one of the pros said I shouldn’t be using my right arm much anyway, I should be pulling with my left arm. So I focused on that and I had my best round ever, my lowest score,” said Sitlu.
 
The business analyst and software developer in the health services sector had nothing but praise for professional partners Sembo and Pellegrin, and they in turn said Sitlu was the perfect gentleman.
 
“Playing in my first pro-am, I was quite nervous because I didn’t really know how you are meant to play with a professional. But they were so calm and welcoming, it was like playing with a friend. They are so disciplined and they were both exactly what you’d imagine a pro to be,” Sitlu said.
 
“He was fun to play with, a very good partner,” Pellegrin said of Sitlu. “It was a good day in an amazing place, we combined perfectly together and to win was just a bonus. Our job as pros is to make the amateurs happy, and I really enjoy playing in pro-ams because you meet new people from around the country and make connections. I’m always grateful to play in a pro-am because it’s a way of thanking the sponsors, who make it possible for us to play golf,” Pellegrin said.
 
The Vodacom Origins of Golf Wild Coast also featured a golf development clinic with the local chapter of the South African Golf Development Board (SAGDB).
 
A total of 30 children, split evenly between the Durban, Margate and Wild Coast areas, and aged between eight and 14 years old, took part with a clinic run by the Sunshine Tour professionals.
 
The clinics are a vital part of the growth of the game in South Africa and have helped to unearth some new talent on the Sunshine Tour, such as Siyanda Mwandla, Thanda Mavundla and Sabelo Majola.
 
“Players like Thanda Mavundla, who played in the Vodacom Origins of Golf Pro-Am, and Siyanda Mwandla and Sabelo Majola have all come through this programme,” said local SAGDB coach Joseph Kunene.
 
“For all the kids, these clinics are a real eye-opener because they see professionals in the flesh, coaching them. They’re not just seeing them on TV and it gives them hope. One day their wish will hopefully be to become a professional as well.”
 

PORT EDWARD (KwaZulu-Natal) – Jonathan Broomhead was able to daub his scorecard with red numbers for birdie as he charged up the leaderboard in the final round to secure himself a place in the playoff, which he subsequently won to claim the Vodacom Origins of Golf Wild Coast title at the Wild Coast Sun Country Club on Sunday.

Broomhead shot a tremendous seven-under-par 63 on Sunday, which included nine birdies, as he posted the clubhouse lead at 11-under-par. Two hours later, it was only Luke Brown, who fired a brilliant 66, who managed to match that score.

Brown and Broomhead then both parred the 348m, par-four 18^thtwice before Broomhead nailed a 20-foot putt for birdie on the third playoff hole, to secure his second Sunshine Tour title.

The Durban Country Club golfer began the final round seven strokes behind leader Pieter Moolman, and did not start well, making a bogey on the par-four first hole. But thereafter he played with tremendous freedom going out in 32 strokes. Another dropped shot, at the par-three 11^th, sandwiched birdies at the start of the back nine, and Broomhead finished in fabulous fashion with birdies at the last three holes to get to top spot.

“I definitely didn’t think about winning at the beginning of the day, but conditions were all in our favour and I just tried to make as many birdies as I could. I teed off two hours before the leaders and there was no pressure on me. I played really well and just attacked everything,” Broomhead, whose previous victory came in the prestigious Tour Championship delivered by The Courier Guy at the end of last season, said.

“I definitely thought the leaders would make a few birdies on the back nine because the wind was down, and I thought my score was okay, but not where it ended up. I wasn’t under pressure to make pars, I was always in play and just played very solidly, plus I made some good putts.

“Winning once is nice, but you can start doubting if you can do it again. I’ve played nicely since Tour Champs and had quite a few chances to win. So I thought another chance would come and today was my day. I just always felt in control and my swing was really good,” Broomhead said.

Brown played with unfailing determination and focus as he also reached 11-under-par, but he just failed to pip Broomhead because he could only par the last three holes, including the 18^th, which he then parred three times in the playoff.

Keenan Davidse also piled on the pressure as he shot a marvellous 65 to finish on 10-under-par, just one stroke off the playoff.

Otto van Buynder (65), Simon du Plooy (65) and Ruan de Smidt (68) shared fourth place on nine-under-par.

Overnight leader Moolman slipped to a 74 on Sunday, finishing tied-12^th on seven-under-par.

PORT EDWARD (KwaZulu-Natal) – The second round of the Vodacom Origins of Golf Wild Coast event saw much movement on the leaderboard but no change at the top as defending champion Pieter Moolman, drawing on all his happy memories of the Wild Coast Sun Country Club, backed up his 63 on the first day with a 66 on Saturday to extend his lead.

Moolman will go into the final round with a three-stroke lead over Ruan Korb, having weathered a testing back nine into the wind, after collecting four birdies on the front nine.

The 33-year-old Moolman shot a 62 in his last tournament at the Wild Coast Sun Country Club, his fantastic final-round effort lifting him to tied-fifth in the SunBet Challenge event here in July. And last year Moolman shot a 64 in the final round to win the Vodacom Origins of Golf event here in a playoff, while he was also the runner-up in the 2022 SunBet Challenge tournament on the Wild Coast.

The Benoni Lake golfer backed up his tremendous front nine as he was able to make eagle on the 441m par-five 12^th.

“I had a lucky break on 12 because I didn’t hit a great tee-shot but I got a good bounce out of the car park. I then hit a lob-wedge to three feet,” a restrained Moolman said. “We always play golf to win and to pull it through tomorrow would make me really happy. But I will have to stick to the same game-plan tomorrow, just me playing the golf course the best I can.

“Obviously I’m happy with the position I’m in, especially since the wind was tougher today and it was more different. But Jacques Blaauw also shot 66 in our three-ball today and it helped to be able to feed off his momentum. I just tried to keep giving myself chances,” Moolman said.

Moolman did slip up after his eagle on the 12^th with bogeys at the next two holes, when he misjudged the switching wind, but the hour’s golf that followed was practically faultless, apart from a couple of missed birdie opportunities.

Silver Lakes Country Club golfer Korb also struggled on the back nine, copying Moolman with an eagle on 12 but also dropping two shots. Korb also had a wonderful front nine though, going out in 31, as he also posted a 66 to finish on eight-under-par, three behind Moolman.

Five golfers were tied for third on seven-under-par – Craig Ross (68), Ruan de Smidt (67), Keelan van Wyk (67), Fredrik From (67) and Luke Brown (67).

Ricky Hendler, who was second just one stroke behind Moolman after the first round, could only shoot level-par 70 on Saturday and slipped into the tie for eighth place on six-under-par, five strokes behind Moolman, with Jaco van Zyl (67), Samuel Simpson (65), Jean-Paul Strydom (67) and Ruan Conradie (67).