By Michael Vlismas.
Johannesburg, (Gauteng) – Zimbabwean Benjamin Follett-Smith had to dig deep on Friday to retain the Fortress Invitational lead, and he did so with a one-over-par 72 for a one-shot lead going into the weekend at Houghton Golf Club.
Follett-Smith led by three shots going into Friday’s second round following a stunning 63 on day one. But he had a far more challenging second round.
After teeing off the 10th, the Zimbabwean professional opened with a birdie which seemed to suggest another strong day ahead.
But five bogeys in the next seven holes dropped him down the field. He recovered himself with a birdie on the ninth and then had a strong second nine featuring three more birdies before another bogey on the seventh for a 72 that was still enough to keep him ahead on seven under par overall.
It opened the door for the rest of the field.
Graham van der Merwe, currently in third place on The Courier Guy Order of Merit, signed for a 68 to finish on six under par as one of Follett-Smith’s nearest challengers.
Haydn Porteous carded a 69 and Altin van de Merwe, already a winner on Tour this year in the FBC Zim Open, added a 67 to see them also finish the day on six under par.
And with Austin Bautista, currently second on The Courier Guy Order of Merit and a winner this year in the FNB Eswatini Challenge, just two shots off the lead, it’s going to be a competitive weekend of golf at Houghton Golf Club.
Follett-Smith is hunting his fourth victory this year on the Sunshine Tour after winning the Cell C Challenge in January.