Bekker leads PGA Pro-Am

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Oliver Bekker made eight birdies and an eagle on his way to a second-round eight-under par 64 in the PGA Pro-am. Photo by Petri Oeschger

Johannesburg – Oliver Bekker made eight birdies and an eagle on his way to a second-round eight-under par 64 in the PGA Pro-am being played at the Centurion Country Club on Thursday.

Becker joins PH McIntyre at the top of the leaderboard on 14-under par.

“I’ve been scoring very well. If I’ve got chances to make birdie I seem to take them. I made a big putt on the last hole, about a 20-footer, to tie for the lead,” he said.

The Stellenbosch local started the round with an eagle at 10, but wobbled after making bogeys at 11 and 15 and slipped back to level-par for the day.

His favourite holes at Centurion will surely be 16, 17 and 18, which have given up six birdies to him over the first two rounds.

Those three holes helped him steady out the round.

“The first holes were frustrating, because I hit it close and made the putt for eagle on the 10th, but then three-putted the next. I birdied the last three of the nine and that got me going again, but it wasn’t looking too good at one stage,” he said.

McIntyre played in the morning field and set the clubhouse lead early in the day. He’s excited for the new season after such a promising start.

“With these two rounds so far there’s a lot of confidence building and I’d like to keep it up,” he said. “Hopefully it’s a good year this year. I’m glad this tournament is here so I can build some confidence for the Joburg Open.”

Desvonde Botes plays out of Centurion Country Club and dominated the course on Thursday posting a 62, setting the lowest score for the tournament with his 10-under-par round. The 38-year-old moved 26 places up the leaderboard and into a share of third.

“It all just fell together, and I’m looking forward to the season after a day like that. It’s always nice having some confidence going into the bigger events, but for now we’ve got to get through tomorrow,” he said.

Joining him was Steven Ferreira, who earned a share of third with his second-round 67. Ferreira will complete the leading three-ball on Friday, and looked forward to having a crack at glory so early on in the season.

“It’s good to get yourself up there, and it will be nice to play at the top tomorrow. It’s definitely going to test my nerves, but hopefully I can stick to my game plan and play the shots that need to be played,” he said. – Sapa