Johannesburg – Jaco van Zyl, winner of the 2009 Telkom PGA, shot a 65 at the Woodmead Country Club on Friday to join the leaders in this year's championship.
Play was suspended early because of dangerous weather conditions, and will resume again at 6.30 am on Saturday.
“I played nicely today, even though it felt like I left a couple out there. I’m really starting to hit it nicely and hopefully I can take that form into the weekend,” said Van Zyl.
The 34-year-old won the Dimension Data Pro-Am just three weeks ago and came second at the Africa Open a week prior to that. And that superb form flowed over into this week’s R3,75-million tournament, where van Zyl now shares the top spot with Dylan Frittelli.
“You have to be on your game around here,” he said.
“If you’re playing well it’s there for the taking, but if not then it will bite you back. My short game is nice and sharp, so I’m scoring well out there.”
Frittelli has made headlines since winning NCAA Championship in 2012, which made him the world number one amateur.
“It’s great to be back in South Africa. I always enjoy coming back to my home country and it’s where I learnt to play,” he said.
The youngster started off slowly at Woodmead on Friday, reaching the turn at level-par for the day.
At the 10th it all clicked for him, and under cloudy skies Frittelli put on a superb display, producing five birdies and an eagle at the 18th for a 29-shot second loop.
“I wasn’t looking too great when I turned level-par, and I knew that if I went a few under through the first holes of my back nine I would have a good chance to go low. Before I knew it I was standing on the 18th needing a three to make 29, which was something I have never done before. I was pretty ecstatic to seal that,” he said.
Like Frittelli and van Zyl, Merrick Bremner shot a Friday 65, which took him to sole third on 11-under-par. The low round of the day went to Danie van Tonder, who chalked up 64 on his way to 10-under and a share of fourth alongside Jean-Paul Strydom, Jean Hugo and England’s Steve Surry. – Sapa