Nikhil Rama learnt one of the biggest lessons of his career in 2023. On Friday at the Wild Coast Sun Country Club, he plans to make it count.

On a typically windy day in this Sunbet Challenge hosted by Wild Coast Sun tournament on Thursday, Rama signed for a 68 to play his way in to a three-way tie for the lead with fellow South Africans James Mack (68) and Keagan Thomas (69) on five-under-par.

They are only one shot clear of the field on a golf course where that kind of lead can be quickly wiped out before you’ve even finished your bacon and eggs clubhouse breakfast.

Rama knows this. In 2023 he led the DP World Tour co-sanctioned Joburg Open after two rounds and eventually finished an impressive tied sixth in a week that meant everything for his confidence, and his experience.

“I think I’ve learned a lot from 2023 and the Joburg Open. I’ve taken a lot from that week. Trying to get myself in these positions is why we play. So, for the final round, I will just try and keep doing what I am doing and see where it takes me. I’ll just try and stay calm and patient, especially in these conditions,” he said.

With 15 top-10 finishes on the Sunshine Tour, Rama is certainly ready to turn that consistency into a victory. And he has negotiated a windy Wild Coast Sun Country Club with precision.

“It was a pretty solid round of golf. I am happy with the way I played. I hit the ball pretty well, with 16 greens in regulation. There were a couple of three-putts which I wasn’t pleased about, but it does happen, especially when the wind is pumping the way it is.

“The wind was really blowing out there. I think I was lucky enough to be on the better side of the draw, so for the first nine holes it was blowing, but not that bad. On the back nine, I held on and played solidly to birdie two of the toughest holes. I think I did well in the conditions.”