Samu poised for Glendower glory in Sanlam SA Women’s Stroke Play

South African number one Ivanna Samu will take a three-stroke lead into Tuesday’s final round of the Sanlam South African Women’s Amateur Stroke Play Championship at Glendower Golf Club.

Samu bounced back from her opening 77 with a second round of two-under-par 70 on Monday, lifting her into the lead on three over par and perfectly placed for the title she desperately wants on one of the most historic golf courses in South Africa.

The Gauteng golfer won the Sanlam South African Women’s Amateur Championship last year, and is now in line to add the stroke play title as well.

“I’m just going to go out there and play another round of golf. I’ll play the course and see what happens,” she said of her approach to the final round.

Samu’s nearest challenger is first round leader Bianca Lohbauer from Boland, who signed for a 77 to come through 36 holes on six over par.

Gauteng North’s Carrie Park, who won this title at Stellenbosch Golf Club last year, is currently lying third on seven over par following a 75.

On a misty morning in Johannesburg, Samu started well with birdies at her first two holes, including a chip-in on the par-four first.

“The first round conditions were really tough and I think the course played a little easier in the second round. The greens were a lot softer today so you could attack the flags a lot more. My driving was also much better. I missed too many fairways in the first round.

“And I also had a good start and it gave me a lot of confidence. I had the chip-in on one and I was striking the ball really well and the putts were dropping.”

Samu turned three under for her round, and then stumbled early on the back nine with three bogeys in her first four holes there. But she recovered with birdies at 15 and 16.

“I had a bit of a dodgy start to the back nine, but I pulled myself towards myself and had a few birdies and got myself back in the game. I am a fighter and that’s what I needed to do after that first round. I’ve been in this situation a lot and I somehow always find a way to get back in it.”

Written and released by Michael Vlismas Media.

Posted in