Rebula, Steyn share pole at Nomads SA Boys U-19
Southern Cape’s Jovan Rebula and Marco Steyn from Central Gauteng share the midway lead in the prestigious Nomads SA Boys U-19 Stroke Play Championship in Limpopo.
Rebula mixed eight gains with three bogeys for a 67 while Steyn notched five birdies and a solitary bogey for a second successive round of 68 at Polokwane Golf Club on Tuesday.
Both players moved to eight-under-par 136 and finished three strokes ahead of local favourite Cameron Nesmith and reigning Nomads SA Boys U-17 champion Dylan Naidoo from Central Gauteng.
Naidoo carded a one-bogey 66 to register the low round of the day, while Nesmith was seven under for the round before a bogey at the par-three 16th and eight at the par-five 17th after hitting his second out of bounds.
South Africa’s number one ranked amateur Tristen Strydom moved into fifth at four under at a 70, and the Ekurhuleni golfer is one shot clear of overnight leader Deon Germishuys from Western Province, who returned a 74.
Steyn had four birdies on the front nine, and was left just a little bit frustrated after only one birdie putt dropped on the back nine.
“I definitely feel like I left a few out there,” said the 2014 ProShop Northern Amateur champion.
“I missed a 12-footer for birdie at the 10th, three-putted for par at the 12th and missed an eight-footer for birdie at the 18th.
“I am not complaining though. Last year I tied for 20th in the Stroke Play Championship and I lost in the first round of the Match Play Championship at Umhlali.
“My goal this year was to put myself in a better position early on. So far, so good.”
Rebula was upbeat after his round, despite having dropped three shots on the back nine.
“It’s really nice to be in contention,” the former Nomads SA Boys U-17 champion said.
“I didn’t feel confident playing the Sanlam Cape Open two weeks ago, so I took a week-long break from golf. It was just what I needed, because I was really excited to get going this week.”
The Ernie Els & Fancourt Foundation player has been under the weather since his defeat in the Sanlam SA Amateur Championship final in February. He suffered tick bite fever and glandular fever and lost nearly six kilograms in the last three weeks.
“I think I’m over the worst of it,” the 17-year-old said.
“I’m striking the ball well again and the putter is warming up, too. I think the guy with the most patience will last the distance this week, because the greens are a little tricky. I left a few birdies out there, but it felt good to make up for every bogey on my card. It’s nice to have some fun again.”
SECOND ROUND SCORES (top 20)
136 Jovan Rebula 69 67; Marco Steyn 68 68
139 Dylan Naidoo 73 66; Cameron Nesmith 70 69
140 Tristen Strydom 70 70
141 Deon Germishuys 67 74
142 Luca Filippi 73 69; Jason Thalrose 69 73; Anuerin Gounden 69 73
143 Dino Capazario 77 66; Slade Pickering 70 73; Garrick Higgo 70 73
144 Estiaan Conradie 76 68; Kyle McClatchie 74 70; Matt Saulez 74 70; Burt Gildenhuys 73 71
145 Rosswell Sinclair 74 71
146 Emilio Pera 75 71; Vaughn van Deventer 75 71; Keegan de Lange 75 71; Kyle Barker 74 72; Dawid Opperman 73 73
Written and released by Lali Stander on behalf of the South African Golf Association.