Liebenberg goes low to tie Big Easy lead ahead of final round

Louis Liebenberg.

Louis Liebenberg carded a blemish-free six-under 66 in the second round of the 10th Betway Big Easy Tour event, ensuring his place among the four co-leaders ahead of the final round at Ebotse Links.

Following an opening round of 73, Liebenberg knew he had his work cut out for him if he wanted to make the cut at this final event of the regular season. He quietly went about his business and took the opportunities he created for himself.

“To be honest, not much changed between today and yesterday,” noted Liebenberg after his sparkling round. “I just putted a little bit better today. I gave myself opportunities like I did yesterday but a few more putts dropped today.

"If you can go without a single bogey in tournament golf, then you know you’re doing something right. But, like I said, the putting was good today and I was able to get myself out of trouble really well. That felt pretty good.”

At five-under for the week, Liebenberg ties the lead with Oliver Goldhill, Tristan Leonard and overnight leader, Austin Cherichella of the United States.

“Tomorrow is going to be a great challenge,” Liebenberg said. “But I always enjoy a good challenge. The aim is to keep doing the same things I’ve done in the first two days and to enjoy it; try to give myself some opportunities, stick to the game plan and see where it takes us.”

Lying just a single stroke off the pace, Bradley de Beer and amateur Vuyisani Makama, will relish the opportunity to unseat Liebenberg and company from the summit of the leaderboard.

Experienced campaigner Andre de Decker, Jake Bolton, Travis Ladner, Dillon Germishuys and amateur Ethan Gough, all three-under-par for the week, will also feel they have a chance, especially given that a two-stroke lead can be easily overturned.

This 10th event of the season is the last tournament of the season before the Play-off and The Final. Only the top 50 players on the Order of Merit after this 54-hole event will be eligible for the Play Off, while the top 30 after the Play Off will compete in The Final.

The Betway Big Easy Tour is the Sunshine Tour’s feeder circuit and enjoys the support of the legendary Ernie Els, among other patrons.

Scores

139 - Louis Liebenberg 73 66, Austin Cherichella 68 71, Oliver Goldhill 69 70, Tristan Leonard 68 71

140 - Bradley De Beer 68 72, Vuyisani Makama 69 71

141 - Andre De Decker 69 72, Travis Ladner 72 69, Jake Bolton 70 71, Dillon Germshuys 73 68, Ethan Gough 69 72

142 - Thanda Mavundla 73 69

143 - Andrew McLardy 73 70, Nicko Venter 72 71

144 - Jason Froneman 73 71, Travis Procter 72 72, Romano Saincic 78 66

145 - Philip Geerts 69 76, Kian Coetzer 69 76, Andrew Williamson 73 72, Richard Joubert 74 71, Hannes Strooh 70 75, Reece Mc Kain 74 71

146 - Ronald Rugumayo 76 70, Jonathan Ackerman 73 73

147 - Shaheed Patel 74 73, Sean Cronje 75 72, Therion Nel 72 75, Drikus Joubert 75 72, Grant Ferreira 75 72, Lwazi Gqira 72 75, Tiago Jorge Swart 77 70

Missed the cut

148 - Keagan Crosbie 75 73, Joe Sullivan 75 73, Sean Howell 72 76, Jordan Wessels 71 77

149 - Tumelo Molloyi 77 72, Andre Van Zyl 71 78

150 - Tiger Adams 76 74, Shaunak Rama 75 75, Matthew Dennis 73 77, Vaughn van Deventer 77 73, Matt Millar 76 74, Regan Steyn 70 80, LB Boshoff 78 72, Liam Ross 74 76, Ruben Van Der Berg 75 75

151 - Lincon Denzy Cele 77 74, Jaden Deltel 73 78, Matthew Bennett 75 76, Jonathan Waschefort 79 72

152 - Gerard Hartman 76 76

153 - Lyle Pedro 71 82, Brandon Gildenhuys 79 74, Thabang Simon 75 78, Matthew Rushton 75 78, Leon Visser 72 81, Ricco Motsa 78 75

154 - Wandre Snyman 79 75, Chase Paton 73 81

155 - Richard Kruger 82 73

156 - Mark Maart 77 79, Brandon-Jude Rennie 82 74, Irvin Mosate wa Mazibuko 79 77

157 - Khanya Mkhize 78 79

158 - Carl Mwale 81 77, Kael Strydom 80 78

160 - Steven Le Roux 87 73

161 - Teboho Sefatsa 76 85

162 - John Palm 77 85

163 - Jarryd Govender 79 84

WDN - Tawriq Abrahams 85 WDN

RTD - Adam Breen 78 RTD, Sabelo Xolani Majola 79 DSQ