By Michael Vlismas.
JOHANNESBURG, (Gauteng) – Australia’s Austin Bautista made a strong push for his second Sunshine Tour title this season as he opened up a two-shot lead in the Fortress Invitational at Houghton Golf Club on Saturday.
Bautista signed for a bogey-free 64 to head the field on 12 under par, two shots clear of Germany’s Morris Schiefner following his 66.
The Australian is looking for his second victory this season after winning the FNB Eswatini Challenge.
“There weren’t necessarily moments that were crucial for me. Come the final round, usually there are moments where you really want to lock in and you feel like there’s heavy pressure. But today I just went about my business, playing the tough holes smart and playing the easier holes a bit more aggressive, and knowing what my strengths are which are wedges and putting, and putting myself in position to make putts. I did that well today,” said Bautista.
Defending champion Warwick Purchase will start the final round four shots off the lead alongside Jonathan Broomhead, Tyran Snyders and Altin van der Merwe.
But the rookie challenge has been equally strong this season, and Germany’s Schiefner – currently 20th on the Fortress Rookie of the Year standings – could’ve shared the lead were it not for a double-bogey on the 12th.
“The eagle on the 10th hole was good. I saw the cameras coming up and I knew I had to show off a little bit. Sadly, the back nine was not as good as I wanted it to be, but I kept it together,” Schiefner said after a round which took its toll on him physically.
“I will definitely be resting tonight. My back hurts a bit, and I’ll be putting on enough sunscreen tomorrow. I am very tired.”
The third round was also particularly rewarding for Jacques van der Merwe, who scored a hole-in-one on the par-three 14th to win R100 000 courtesy of CIB as well as 100 000 Skybucks courtesy of Fly Airlink and joins the Airlink Aces Shoot-Out at the end of the season.