It wasn’t the low round of the day, but Hennie du Plessis carded a bogey-free seven-under-par 65 on Saturday to tuck himself into a share of second, one shot off the lead in the Jonsson Workwear Open at The Club at Steyn City.
It was a difficult day, with a delayed start because of a wet course from persistent rain, and it rained frequently after play got underway, but Du Plessis did what it took to be in prime position heading into the final round. That was just one behind leader Alexander Knappe of Germany, who also had a 65 to move to 17-under-par.
The best round of the day came from Sweden’s Joakim Lagergren, who had a nine-under 63 to share second with Du Plessis, Malaysia’s Gavin Green and halfway leader Nick Bachem of Germany on 16-under.
“When you’re in the mix it’s always a fun feeling. I’m looking forward to it,” said Du Plessis. “It was hard work today. With all the delays this morning I knew we’d have to be patient out there. It’s so wet so you had to hit fairways and quality iron shots. The pins were also tucked away a little bit.
“I enjoy this layout. The wide fairways and slopey greens are nice to play. Standing up there and hitting a good drive is great, and then when you’re a good mid-iron player it’s a fun course to play.”
One shot behind the players in second was rookie Martin Vorster, who fought his way to a four-under-par 68 in a display of mature golf beyond his years. He started with a bogey on the first, and rectified things with three birdies on the front nine. But he just couldn’t get things going on the back nine until he made eagle on 16. Although he dropped a shot on the tough 17th, he made another birdie on the equally tough 18th to drag himself into contention in a share of sixth with Scot Ewen Ferguson and France’s Romain Langasque on 15-under.
Ockie Strydom had a three-under-par to settle in ninth place, three off the lead on 14-under. Zander Lombard and Hennie O’Kennedy were the next best of the South Africans, in a share of 10th on 13-under after rounds of 66 and 69 respectively.
Up ahead, Knappe has won before in South Africa in last year’s Dimension Data Pro-Am, which was co-sanctioned with the European Challenge Tour. But Sunday’s final round will be a new experience for him at DP World Tour level. “It’s my first time leading a big event. I’ll see how I prepare for that mentally. But I’m just enjoying that feeling right now.”
