Nine of the players in the top 11 outscored JJ Senekal on Saturday, but Senekal’s three-under-par 69 was enough to give him a two-stroke lead after 54 holes in the SDC Open at Zebula Golf Estate and Spa, so-sanctioned by the Sunshine Tour and the Challenge Tour.
That’s what happens when you start a campaign with a 10-under 62 as Senekal did back in the first round. His somewhat lacklustre 69 in the third round took him to 18-under-par for the tournament and a two-stroke lead over rookie Casey Jarvis, who charged through the field with a six-under 66. Jaco Prinsloo and another rookie, Martin Vorster, were in third on 15-under, three back after rounds of 66 and 68 respectively.
Once again, Senekal had a bogey on his card, as he did in his 62 as well as in his second-round 67. This time, his bogey on the longest par-four on the course, the 513-yard fourth, was the result of a three-putt. It was the first and only time he has done that this week, and his putting stats will show him exactly what he should tighten up on in the final round. He had 25 putts in his 62, and 32 in the third round. There were five one-putts in his 69, and 11 during his 62.
“It wasn’t the best round of golf I’ve ever played,” said Senekal. “From tee to green it was pretty good, but taking 32 putts was frustrating. I hit good putts here and there but the reading wasn’t very good. I gave myself a lot of opportunities but the putter just wasn’t working.”
Jarvis was his usual bustling self, and that was perhaps his downfall after he had hit the front together with Senekal with an eagle on the 15th. It rained a few times during the day, and, as it came down again towards the end of the round, he perhaps became a little hurried and made bogeys on 16 and 18 to leave Senekal alone in front.
“I played really solid the whole day and I rolled in a lot of putts,” said Casey, who is looking for his maiden professional title. “The way I’m striking the ball I feel really in control of my game at the moment. I’ve been in this position before so hopefully I’ve learnt from the past. I’ve just got to stay patient. In the past I’ve been a little rushed, but I’ve just got to stay patient out there.”
Senekal is looking for a third Sunshine Tour title, with his last coming in Zambia in 2018. ““I was expecting people to charge and they did,” said Senekal. “Casey had a good round. But I managed to keep myself in it and I’ve got a shot tomorrow.”
