Nick Cunningham of England carded a superb six-under-par 65 on Wednesday to race into a share of the lead after 36 holes in the Sunshine Tour’s Qualifying School Final Stage at Heron Banks Golf & River Estate.
With a double-bogey and a bogey on his card, six-under meant he made lots of birdies which is always a good way to counteract the negative effects of adventurous play. Cunningham made nine in his round, including a superb run of four in a row from the third on the front nine. He shared the lead at the halfway mark with Australian Austin Bautista, who had a four-under 67 in his second round.
At eight-under, they led by one from the amateur duo of Altin van der Merwe and Gary Kemp, who had a 68 and 69 respectively.
One shot back in a share of fifth was first-round leader Kyle McClatchie who added a one-under 70 to his opening five-under. With him were Ireland’s Rowan Lester, who had a 69 in the second round, and England’s Joe Knox, who had a three-under 68.
There were six players on five-under in a share of eighth, four on four-under in a share of 14th, and nine on three-under in a share of 18th.
The next two rounds will provide real pressure as the top 20 and ties will win their playing rights for the 2024-25 season.
