SA poised for All-Africa Junior success
The South African team will start the final round of their title defence in the 2016 All-Africa Junior Golf Championship in Tunisia with an insurmountable lead after another solid performance at the El Kantaoui Golf Course in Sousse on Friday.
Dylan Naidoo fired a four under 69 at the Sea Course, Marco Steyn returned a 72 and Herman Loubser added a 74 for a four under 215 to move the South African team to two-under-par 665.
They lead by 38 strokes from Zimbabwe and finished 56 shots clear of third-placed Morocco.
“As a team, it was a good day for us,” said SAGA Golf Integration Manager Eden Thompson.
“Dylan (Naidoo) posted the lowest score of the tournament, but the rest of the guys felt they left some shots out there.
“Marco was quick out of the blocks and three under through six holes. He failed to capitalize on a great drive down the par five seventh and the frustration was further fuelled by missed birdie opportunities around the turn. He had 10 two-putts over the last 11 holes, and a three putt at the last to finish one under par.
“Herman had another really solid day, but struggled with the short stick. A lot of close shaves throughout the round added to his frustration with the putter and the two-footer he missed at the last for a 74 didn’t help, either.
“Similar to Marco’s first round, Dylan (Mostert) just had one of those rounds where nothing went to plan and he battled to a non-counting 82.
“But, despite the woes, the team is upbeat ahead of the final round and excited about the nice weather. The guys were a bit less chatty this morning than usual, because they all have personal goals to achieve today for us to achieve our team goals.
“We teed off in more strong winds and really chilly temperatures on Friday. The forecast calls for the breeze to intensify throughout the round but the conditions this morning are just perfect.”
Meanwhile Naidoo moved into the top spot on the Individual Leaderboard at one-under-par 218, Loubser is second on even-par 219 and Steyn holds third spot at six over 225.
THIRD ROUND LEADERBOARD
655 South Africa 225 215 215
693 Zimbabwe 236 219 238
711 Morocco 238 236 237
720 Tunisia 252 236 235
736 Kenya 247 241 248
737 Egypt 250 243 244
757 Zambia 269 246 242
771 Uganda 263 249 259
821 Nigeria 284 266 271
Written and released by Lali Stander on behalf of the South African Golf Association.