Gerhard Pepler is in a commanding position on 17 under par at the halfway mark of the Kit Kat Cash & Carry Pro-Am at Irene Country Club, leading by six shots from Jacques P de Villiers, Justin Walters and Welshman Jack Davidson.
Pepler backed up an opening 63 with a 64 in Friday’s second round. The round had to be suspended because of darkness, with only a few players who will have to complete their second rounds on Saturday morning.
Starting his round on the 10th tee, Pepler opened with a birdie. But his most impressive run of scoring came from the 17th hole onwards as he made three birdies and an eagle over the turn. He added another two birdies on his second nine.
“I felt good and patient today, and then on the 17th hole I hit it right in the trees, then over the green, but I made a long putt. On the 18th hole I hit it short of the bunker on the right and didn’t have a good lie. I told my caddie I am just going to try and get it anywhere on the green and I ended up making the chip for eagle,” said Pepler.
“I went on to birdie the fifth and sixth holes, so the momentum was there. I just kept on rolling the putts and trying to make everything.”
With a six-shot lead, Pepler is looking forward to the weekend and would love to go one better than his joint second place at this tournament last year.
“The lead definitely helps. I’ve always loved Irene, so to be in the lead going into the last rounds is quite special. Starting off the week I said if I shoot four-under every day I’ll be happy, so I have a little bit of a head start there.” Pepler said.
SCORES
-17 - Gerhard Pepler 63 64
-11 - Jacques P de Villiers 68 65
-11 - Jack Davidson 66 67, Justin Walters 70 63
-10 - Christiaan Burke 66 68
-9 - Jaco Prinsloo 70 65
-9 - Jason Roets 67 68
-7 - Warwick Purchase 70 67
-7 - Graham van der Merwe 69 68, Benjamin Kedochim 72 65, Tyrone Ryan 66 71, Pieter Moolman 67 70
-6 - Agustin Errazuriz 68 70
-6 - Hennie O'Kennedy 72 66, Charl Barnard 68 70, Ethan Smith 68 70, Ockie Strydom 68 70, Quintin Wilsnach 68 70, Ryan van der Klis 70 68
-5 - Simon du Plooy 73 66
-5 - Tomas Gana 70 69, Samuel Simpson 69 70, Estiaan Conradie 69 70, Luke Brown 71 68, Rowan Lester 68 71, Pierre Pellegrin 72 67, Kyle Barker 72 67, Anthony Michael 72 67, Altin van der Merwe 69 70, Haydn Porteous 73 66, Jordan Burnand 69 70
-4 - Danie Van Niekerk 69 71
-4 - Thomas Spreadborough 69 71, Joe Sullivan 70 70, Jean Hugo 70 70, Matthew Spacey 70 70, Gabriel Morgan 73 (-5) [15]
-3 - Jacques Van der Merwe 74 67
-3 - Doug McGuigan 69 72, Stals Swart 71 70, Thabiso Ngcobo 72 69, Benjamin Van Wyk 70 71, Jaden Deltel 71 70, Daniel Cronje 71 70, Luis Carrera 73 68, Tyran Snyders 73 68
-2 - Cole Stevens 73 69
-2 - Pierre Viallaneix 73 69, Oliver Goldhill 71 71, Keagan Thomas 71 71, Stephen Ferreira 72 70, Lyle Rowe 72 70, Trevor Fisher Jnr 72 70, Louis Albertse 71 71, Kyle De Beer 68 74, Toto Thimba Jnr 71 71
-1 - James Mack 74 69
-1 - Rupert Kaminski 74 69, Albert Venter 74 69, Astin Arthur 72 71, Wynand Dingle 71 72, Malcolm Mitchell 71 72, Luke Jerling 73 70, Heinrich Bruiners 74 69
Missed the cut:-
Par - Otto Van Buynder 71 73
Par - Ricky Hendler 76 68, Hennie Otto 72 72, Robson Chinhoi 72 72, Xander Basson 71 73, Thanda Mavundla 71 73, Ruan Korb 70 74, JJ Senekal 73 71, Kian Rose 73 71, Martin Rohwer 72 72
+1 - Ronald Rugumayo 74 71
+1 - Ruan de Smidt 71 74, Allister de Kock 73 72, Stuart Krog 77 68, Travis Procter 76 69, Kyle McClatchie 70 75
+2 - Conner Mackenzie 71 75
+2 - Liam Grehan 74 72, Hayden Griffiths 75 71, Jaco Van Zyl 73 73, Neil Schietekat 73 73, Sentanio Minnie 74 72
+3 - Keanu Pestana 76 71
+3 - Keenan Davidse 73 74, Franklin Manchest 72 75, Merrick Bremner 75 72, Martin Leon 74 73, Vuyisani Makama 68 79
+4 - Makhetha Mazibuko 73 75
+4 - Dayne Moore 74 74, Jacques Blaauw 75 73, Allen John 76 (Par) [15]
+5 - Mitch Phigeland 71 78
+5 - Eric Wowor 74 75, Keelan Africa 73 76, Tristan Leonard 77 72, Rhys West 76 73, Herman Loubser 75 74
+6 - Jacquin Hess 73 77
+6 - Brandon Pieters 78 72, Karabo Mokoena 80 70, Mandla Dlamini Jnr 77 73, Matt Millar 74 76, Travis Ladner 73 77, Tristen Strydom 76 74
+7 - Jordan Duminy 80 71
+7 - Rigardt Albertse 76 75
+8 - Musiwalo Nethunzwi 74 78
+8 - Dylan Mostert 74 78, Tumelo Molloyi 77 75
+9 - Steven Le Roux 78 75
+9 - Rhys Enoch 75 78
+11 - Shaydon Johnson 82 73
+12 - Lyle Pedro 78 78
+18 - Lwazi Gqira 83 79
+18 - Omar Sandys 82 (+8) [15]