By Michael Vlismas.
Caption: Cole Stevens. (Photo Credit: Carl Fourie/Sunshine Tour).
Euphoria Gold and Lifestyle Estate, Limpopo – Sunshine Tour rookie Cole Stevens will take a three-stroke lead into the weekend of the Limpopo Championship as he chases a maiden victory on the Tour.
Stevens signed for a bogey-free 65 at the Euphoria Golf and Lifestyle Estate on Friday, lifting him into the lead on 12 under par overall.
Stevens, currently third on the Fortress Rookie of the Year standings, has some strong experience behind him though. His nearest challenger is Jacques Blaauw on nine under after his round of 69. Blaauw has finished second in this tournament before.
But Stevens is relishing the competition on Tour after making the transition from college golf.
“I am enjoying it so far. I really love competition golf. Seeing my name in the mix for the Fortress Rookie of the Year just keeps me even more motivated, not only to climb the rookie standings but also the regular Courier Guy Order of Merit,” Stevens said.
“Today was a really nice day – bogey-free on the scorecard which is always great. I was hitting the ball good for most parts of the day and all-in-all it was a good round.”
Leading a strong field by three shots heading into the weekend, Stevens says he will rely on what has worked for him thus far.
“I’m just going to try and keep to my processes and my routines. I am sure that will carry me through until Sunday.”
The Frenchman Pierre Viallaneix also impressed on Friday with a round of seven-under-par 65, moving him into third place on eight under par for the tournament.