By Michael Vlismas.
Caption: Kyle de Beer. (Photo Credit: Tyrone Winfield/Sunshine Tour).
Benoni (Gauteng) – After going bumper-to-bumper with playing partner JC Richie during Saturday’s third round at the Ebotse Links, Kyle de Beer managed to claim the lead in the Hyundai Open and is chasing his second victory this season.
De Beer signed for a bogey-free third round of 64 to head the field on 19 under par.
The young professional is now hunting his second title this season after breaking through with a maiden win in the inaugural Rwanda Open. He also finished second in last week’s Telkom PGA Championship.
The experienced Ritchie is one shot behind him following a round of 65, while Yurav Premlall, who won his first DP World Tour title this year, is two shots back after a bogey-free round of 67.
De Beer and Ritchie played together on Saturday, which lifted both of their games.
“I don’t think either of us were focusing on each other but were egging each other on. It was nice that we both played quite nicely today,” De Beer said.
Ritchie set the early pace with a front nine of 31. But De Beer found his form on the back nine, and six birdies there earned him a narrow lead.
But Ritchie remains a threat for Sunday’s final round, having won multiple times on both the Sunshine Tour and HotelPlanner Tour and having spent this season competing on the DP World Tour. And he’s enjoying being competitive on his home Tour again.
“It’s always nice to be back. I even have some biltong in the bag. I’m playing really well. The greens are nice and tricky in the afternoons, but I’ve hit some good shots and there are lots of opportunities out there. I’m looking forward to the final round,” he said.
For De Beer, it’s another opportunity to test himself ahead of the upcoming co-sanctioned summer events on the Sunshine Tour.
“There’s not much I can do about the final round’s outcome. I’m just going to do my work and go through my processes now, go to sleep nice and early, and see what happens tomorrow. I’m looking forward to it,” he said.