By Michael Vlismas.
Caption: Samuel Simpson. Photo Credit: Perfect Exposure.
JOHANNESBURG (Gauteng) – Samuel Simpson had to settle for second place in last year’s Telkom PGA Championship, and he’s back to prove a point this year.
Simpson’s second round of 63 – which started with two birdies and then an eagle in his opening three holes – carried him into the lead on 16 under par at Country Club Johannesburg.
Simpson – the current Sunshine Tour Courier Guy Order of Merit leader – leads by two shots over Kieron van Wyk (66) and Louis Albertse (65).
But there are also three former Telkom PGA Championship winners within six shots of the lead, including Dean Burmester (13 under par), Deon Germishuys (11 under par) and George Coetzee (10 under par).
Simpson heads into the final 36 holes hoping to not just add to his three victories on the Sunshine Tour this season, but to also add his name to South African golf history on a trophy that already includes the likes of Gary Player, Ernie Els, Nick Price, Louis Oosthuizen, Dale Hayes and a host of others.
“It was incredible. I started hot with a birdie-birdie-eagle so that set the tone for the day. I played pretty solid all the way to the end. I’m really looking forward to the weekend. It’s great to play in front of this crowd. There’s a long way to go. It’s not easy to win when the scores are this low, but I’ll just try and do the same I did the first two days and see what happens, “said Simpson.
Chasing the leader, Van Wyk is also looking forward to a weekend of opportunity as he hunts a maiden Sunshine Tour title.
“I played really nicely today, although I didn’t hit the ball as well as I would have liked. But the scoring was good and I saved myself quite a few times with my short game and putter, that’s why my score was low. It was nice to grind out a round and manage my scoring. I will be taking some good momentum heading into the weekend. This golf course really suits my game and plays into my strengths. I’m super exited for what’s to come,” said Van Wyk.
South Africa’s second oldest professional golf tournament holds fond memories for Van Wyk.
“It’s an honor and would be awesome to find myself at the top of the Telkom PGA Championship leaderboard. It’s a flagship event for the Sunshine Tour and I can remember when I was 10 or 12 how we used to sit and watch this event when Erik van Rooyen won the title. I remember watching that playoff. To win will be awesome and a real confidence booster for me and my career so far heading into the big events,” van Wyk said.