Jayden Schaper fired an eagle and three birdies on day three to sign for a flawless 67 and catapult himself to the second position at Leopard Creek Country Club, on 13-under-par.
Just a shot behind the leading Adrian Meronk of Poland, Schaper made proper use of the par-five second for the third day in a row before making pars at the next 12 holes. He then followed up a beautiful approach into the 15th hole by rolling in his eagle putt from eight feet to jump to 11 under. Schaper then made a 25-foot birdie putt on the 17th, before he bravely took on the flag at the 18th clearing the water before knocking in his birdie putt to get to 13 under.
“My tee shot came down the right side of the fairway which, for that flag, kind of just sets it up,” said Schaper about his eagle on 15, “We picked the club and we just trusted it. I was really chuffed with that golf shot. I’m feeling really good with the swing at the moment. To hit a shot like that in a tournament like this is really cool.
“Throughout the tournament, I’ve been playing the last four holes pretty solid. From the 15th, 16th, 17th and 18th, I really enjoy them. They kind of suit my shape. I love coming down the stretch knowing that I can possibly birdie them. The 16th’s a pretty tough hole, the 17th also can play a really tough hole. So I know that if I get through these holes and make a nice score here I can definitely get myself closer to the top.”
After rounds of 69, 67 and 67, Schaper will be proud of his work after 54 holes and just one shot off the pace going in the final round, the 19-year old will fancy his chances.
Fellow South African Christiaan Bezuidenhout also made the most of moving day, carding his second successive 68 to move to third on the leaderboard at 11-under par, two shots away from Schaper, and a further stroke from Meronk.
Daniel van Tonder is in a share of 10th at seven-under, following a round-three two-under 70, his second successive 70. The big-hitting Wilco Nienaber is five-under for the week and shares 18th with Welshman Oliver Farr and the Netherland’s Wil Besseling.
By Matthews Mfubu
