Kedochim’s French flair leads FNB Eswatini Challenge

Benjamin Kedochim. Tyrone Winfield/Sunshine Tour

Frenchman Benjamin Kedochim is making a strong charge for a maiden Sunshine Tour title in his rookie season and will take a one-stroke lead into Saturday’s final round of the FNB Eswatini Challenge at the Ezulwini Golf & Country Club.

Kedochim signed for a seven-under-par 65 on Friday to climb to the top of the leaderboard on 14-under par. His nearest challenger is South Africa’s Wynand Dingle following his round of 63.

“My first round was good and flawless. I made my birdies on the par fives to score a round of seven under par like nothing happened. Today was a little trickier. I made more putts but missed a shot on the seventh hole that went into the water but I managed to save par. I enjoyed the day,” the Frenchman said.

Kedochim is enjoying his time in Africa and is looking forward to challenging for a maiden Sunshine Tour title.

“I love playing on the Sunshine Tour. All the players are so welcoming, and the spirit of the Tour is amazing. I was waiting for this opportunity as I haven’t always finished well at the other tournaments, keeping myself from winning. Now I have a chance and I’m happy about it,” Kedochim said.

Dingle is the closest South African in contention.

“Yesterday I was a little bit in idle and didn’t take full advantage of the scoring opportunities. This morning I told myself that I need a good putting round – I had that today. The putter worked well especially on the back nine as I made a 25-footer on the 12th hole and another 30-footer on the 17th hole, both for eagle,” he said.

Dingle’s only title on the Sunshine Tour came in 2022 and he’s looking forward to adding to that.

“That year in 2022 was special for me. I had a third place here in the FNB Eswatini Nkonyeni, followed by a second place at the Vodacom Origins of Golf Highland Gate, before I won my first event at the Vodacom Origins of Golf San Lameer.

“I haven’t been in contention for a while. I don’t think it’s going to be easy, but I am looking forward to the challenge. I am hitting the ball well enough. If I can putt like I did today I think I will be in with a good chance. I recently discovered that if you’re a little bit more fun you can do a little bit better, so I will try and enjoy it,” Dingle said.

Wynand Dingle. Tyrone Winfield/Sunshine Tour

Scores

-14 - Benjamin Kedochim 65 65

-13 - Wynand Dingle 68 63

-12 - Charl Barnard 66 66

-12 - Austin Bautista 67 65

-11 - Luke Brown 63 70

-11 - Daniel Cronje 65 68, Jaco Ahlers 69 64

-10 - Matthew Spacey 68 66

-10 - Dylan Mostert 65 69, Herman Loubser 69 65, Keegan Mclachlan 65 69, Jean Hugo 68 66

-9 - Christiaan Burke 69 66

-9 - Carlos Bustos 70 65, Jacques P de Villiers 69 66, Pierre Viallaneix 69 66

-8 - Tomas Gana 67 69

-8 - Lyle Pedro 67 69, Luke Jerling 68 68, Rupert Kaminski 66 70, Rhys Enoch 66 70, James Mack 72 64, Benjamin Van Wyk 69 67, Graham van der Merwe 69 67, Dayne Moore 69 (-5) [15], Pierre Pellegrin 68 (-4) [15]

-7 - Agustin Errazuriz 71 66

-7 - Xander Basson 67 70, Martin Leon 71 66, Oliver Goldhill 71 66, Simon du Plooy 70 67, Martin Rohwer 68 69, Luis Carrera 69 68

-6 - Conner Mackenzie 70 68

-6 - Haydn Porteous 72 66, Callum Bruce 67 (-1) [15]

-5 - Gerhard Pepler 71 68

-5 - Malcolm Mitchell 69 70, Jbe' Kruger 72 67, Jaco Van Zyl 69 70, Estiaan Conradie 71 68, Jack Davidson 68 71, Jacques Blaauw 66 73, Samuel Simpson 71 68, JJ Senekal 71 68, Tristen Strydom 68 71, Joe Sullivan 68 71, Matt Millar 72 67

-4 - Quintin Wilsnach 71 69

-4 - Tyrone Ryan 70 70, Pieter Moolman 69 71, Altin van der Merwe 65 75, Keenan Davidse 71 69, Keanu Pestana 70 70, Musiwalo Nethunzwi 70 70, Allen John 69 71, Franklin Manchest 71 69, Jaco Prinsloo 67 73, Kyle De Beer 69 71

Missed the cut

-3 - Dian Kruger 73 68

-3 - Warwick Purchase 69 72, Jonathan Broomhead 70 71, Thabiso Ngcobo 75 66, Otto Van Buynder 71 70, Toto Thimba Jnr 71 70, Nikhil Rama 71 70, Tyran Snyders 70 (-1) [15]

-2 - Thanda Mavundla 69 73

-2 - Allister de Kock 76 66, Karabo Mokoena 73 69, Liam Grehan 74 68, Hayden Griffiths 74 68, Rhys West 75 67, Trevor Fisher Jnr 73 69, Cole Stevens 70 72, Tristan Leonard 68 (+2) [15], Greg Snow 67 (+3) [15]

-1 - Gustavo Silva 72 71

-1 - Shaydon Johnson 71 72, Jean-Paul Strydom 71 72, Rigardt Albertse 72 71, Kyle Barker 73 70, Dillon Germshuys 75 68, Robson Chinhoi 77 66, Stals Swart 71 72, Jason Roets 70 73, Astin Arthur 69 74, Kian Rose 72 71, Travis Ladner 72 (-1) [15]

Par - Hennie O'Kennedy 72 72

Par - Adam Breen 71 73, Gabriel Morgan 69 75, Thomas Spreadborough 75 69, Ricky Hendler 73 71, Keagan Thomas 73 71

+1 - Ruan de Smidt 70 75

+1 - Jordan Burnand 72 73, Makhetha Mazibuko 73 72, Travis Procter 70 75, Ethan Smith 71 (+2) [15]

+2 - Jaden Deltel 73 73

+2 - Jacques Van der Merwe 70 76, Ruan Korb 72 74, Neil Schietekat 72 74, Jacquin Hess 74 (Par) [15], Brandon-Jude Rennie 73 (+1) [15]

+3 - Tumelo Molloyi 73 74

+3 - Njoroge Kibugu 75 (Par) [15]

+4 - Austin Mabaso 74 74

+4 - Carter Rowe 72 76, Ryan van der Klis 75 73

+5 - Machawe Maziya 79 70

+5 - Stuart Krog 71 78, Merrick Bremner 73 76, Sifiso Vilane 75 74, Tafadzwa Nyamukondiwa 73 76, Albert Venter 73 76

+6 - Morris Schiefner 80 70

+6 - Vuyisani Makama 69 81, Cosmas Mufaya 78 72, Rowan Lester 77 73

+7 - Shaunak Rama 74 77

+7 - Darlington Chikayambidze 76 75

+8 - Mandla Dlamini Jnr 77 75

+10 - Mongiwetfu Masuku 80 (+2) [15]

+11 - Jabulani Vilakati 79 76

+12 - Dumisa Gama 79 77

+13 - Eric Wowor 84 73

+13 - Sanele Myeni 80 77, Steven Le Roux 84 73, Oscar Dube 85 72, Marcus Sandile Taylor 79 78

+17 - Nathan Koen 85 76

+18 - Janco Vogel 79 (+11) [15]

+18 - Brett Cutting 78 (+12) [15]

+20 - Dale Masilela 88 (+4) [15]

+26 - Albert Zungu 87 83

+28 - Nicholus Vilakati 90 82

A number of young golfers enjoyed a clinic at the FNB Eswatini Challenge as part of the Sunshine Tour's ongoing golf development drive throughout Africa.