South African golfer Hennie du Plessis fired in the second round of the SA Open on Friday at the Stellenbosch Golf Club. He carded a 7-under 63 to set a course record as he finished tied fourth heading into moving day.
Image: Carl Fourie | Sunshine Tour
A new champion will be crowned at the 115th South African Open after defending winner Dylan Naidoo missed the cut in Stellenbosch on Friday, throwing the tournament wide open heading into the weekend.
Italy’s Francesco Laporta surged into the sole lead at 10-under-par after a near-flawless 63 in which the quiet morning breeze in the Winelands barely troubled him. Laporta rolled in seven birdies in a composed display, despite having injured countryman Andrea Pavan in his thoughts after he fell down a lift shaft ahead of the tournament. His performance set the pace as conditions proved far kinder to the early starters.
England’s Nathan Kimsey climbed to second on nine-under after bouncing back from first-round errors with a bogey-free five-under-par effort on Friday.
South Africa’s Dean Burmester, who shared the overnight lead, slipped slightly but stayed firmly in contention. His second-round 67 left him at eight-under, just two shots off the lead in third place.
Another South African, Hennie du Plessis, charged up the leaderboard with a seven-under 63 to move into a share of fourth alongside England’s Joe Dean and fellow local Herman Loubser. Du Plessis shot the course record — the first at 63 — and if it remains the magic number over the next two rounds, he will pocket $100 000 for his efforts.
The early starters — including Laporta, Burmester, Dean and Kimsey — took full advantage of the calmer, near windless morning conditions to strengthen their bids for the title. With tougher weather forecast for the weekend, that cushion at the top could prove important.
“I was disappointed after Friday’s effort. I made a lot of birdies, but I didn’t finish well,” Du Plessis said.
“To follow that up with a nice low score was very rewarding. I drove it well and you must do that on this golf course. My wedge and iron play was also good because I hit a number of shots within five feet of the hole. There was not a lot of wind, and it was maybe a one-club wind that picked up over the last three holes.
“So, it was a lovely morning and the greens were nice. There are only two events that stand out for a South African. That is the Nedbank Golf Challenge and the SA Open. So, winning one of those and having your name on one of them, would be pretty amazing. And, of course, the perks this year that include an invite to two Majors.”
Naidoo showed improvement from his opening round but could not mount a successful defence. His even-par 72 on Friday, featuring four birdies and four bogeys, left him at three-over-par for the tournament — outside the cut line.
He was not the only big-name South African to fall short. Five-time champion Ernie Els missed the cut at six-over, while fellow Major winner Charl Schwartzel also exited early. Schwartzel recovered with a two-under-par second round, but his opening seven-over left him too much ground to make up.
Injured Italian golfer Andrea Pavan, who fell down a lift shaft on Wednesday which forced him to withdraw from the tournament, is recovering following surgery at Stellenbosch Mediclinic.
Pavan said he had surgery on his shoulder and back following the incident at a private accommodation.
“I would like to say a big thank you for all the kind words and wishes I have received over the last 48 hours. I had surgery on my shoulder and my back on Wednesday evening, and I am currently recovering in hospital.
“I now have a lot of rehab and hard work ahead of me, but the care I have received so far from the Mediclinic hospital staff has been incredible, as has the support from the DP World Tour, the Sunshine Tour and all their staff here in Stellenbosch. I am also very grateful for all the help Johann Rupert, and his wife Gaynor have given me.
“The last two days have been difficult, but I am in very good hands and to have so many players, caddies and staff visit and contact me has meant a lot to me.”