Louis Liebenberg surged into a share of the lead after firing a blemish free six under par 66 in the second round of the 10th Betway Big Easy Tour event at Ebotse Links in Benoni on January 22, setting up a tightly contested final round.
Liebenberg followed an opening round of 73 with a composed display that lifted him to five under par for the tournament, placing him alongside Oliver Goldhill, Tristan Leonard and overnight leader Austin Cherichella of the United States.
Going into the round, Liebenberg knew he needed a strong performance to secure a place inside the cut line at the final regular season event. He played patiently, capitalising on chances as they came.
“To be honest, not much changed between today and yesterday,” noted Liebenberg after his round. “I just putted a little bit better today. I gave myself opportunities like I did yesterday but a few more putts dropped today.
“If you can go without a single bogey in tournament golf, then you know you’re doing something right. But, like I said, the putting was good today and I was able to get myself out of trouble really well. That felt pretty good.”
Looking ahead to the deciding round, Liebenberg expects a stern test as the leaders remain closely packed.
“Tomorrow is going to be a great challenge,” Liebenberg said. “But I always enjoy a good challenge. The aim is to keep doing the same things I’ve done in the first two days and to enjoy it; try to give myself some opportunities, stick to the game plan and see where it takes us.”
Just one shot behind the leaders are Bradley De Beer and amateur Vuyisani Makama, both well placed to challenge for the title. A further group of experienced players sit at three under par, including Andre De Decker, Jake Bolton, Travis Ladner, Dillon Germishuys and amateur Ethan Gough, all within striking distance with 18 holes remaining.
The tournament marks the 10th and final event of the regular season before the Play Off and The Final. Only the top 50 players on the Order of Merit after this 54 hole event will qualify for the Play Off, with the top 30 after that stage advancing to The Final.
The Betway Big Easy Tour serves as the Sunshine Tour’s feeder circuit and is backed by several high profile patrons, including Ernie Els.
Scores
139 Louis Liebenberg 73 66
139 Austin Cherichella 68 71 Oliver Goldhill 69 70 Tristan Leonard 68 71
140 Bradley De Beer 68 72
140 Vuyisani Makama 69 71
141 Andre De Decker 69 72
141 Travis Ladner 72 69 Jake Bolton 70 71 Dillon Germshuys 73 68 Ethan Gough 69 72
142 Thanda Mavundla 73 69
143 Andrew McLardy 73 70
143 Nicko Venter 72 71
144 Jason Froneman 73 71
144 Travis Procter 72 72 Romano Saincic 78 66
145 Philip Geerts 69 76
145 Kian Coetzer 69 76 Andrew Williamson 73 72 Richard Joubert 74 71 Hannes Strooh 70 75 Reece Mc Kain 74 71
146 Ronald Rugumayo 76 70
146 Jonathan Ackerman 73 73
147 Shaheed Patel 74 73
147 Sean Cronje 75 72 Therion Nel 72 75 Drikus Joubert 75 72 Grant Ferreira 75 72 Lwazi Gqira 72 75 Tiago Jorge Swart 77 70
Missed the cut
148 Keagan Crosbie 75 73
148 Joe Sullivan 75 73 Sean Howell 72 76 Jordan Wessels 71 77
149 Tumelo Molloyi 77 72
149 Andre Van Zyl 71 78
150 Tiger Adams 76 74
150 Shaunak Rama 75 75 Matthew Dennis 73 77 Vaughn van Deventer 77 73 Matt Millar 76 74 Regan Steyn 70 80 LB Boshoff 78 72 Liam Ross 74 76 Ruben Van Der Berg 75 75
151 Lincon Denzy Cele 77 74
151 Jaden Deltel 73 78 Matthew Bennett 75 76 Jonathan Waschefort 79 72
152 Gerard Hartman 76 76
153 Lyle Pedro 71 82
153 Brandon Gildenhuys 79 74 Thabang Simon 75 78 Matthew Rushton 75 78 Leon Visser 72 81 Ricco Motsa 78 75
154 Wandre Snyman 79 75
154 Chase Paton 73 81
155 Richard Kruger 82 73
156 Mark Maart 77 79
156 Brandon Jude Rennie 82 74 Irvin Mosate wa Mazibuko 79 77
157 Khanya Mkhize 78 79
158 Carl Mwale 81 77
158 Kael Strydom 80 78
160 Steven Le Roux 87 73
161 Teboho Sefatsa 76 85
162 John Palm 77 85
163 Jarryd Govender 79 84
WDN Tawriq Abrahams 85
RTD Adam Breen 78 Sabelo Xolani Majola 79
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