Cape Town – South Africa’s Ockie Strydom hit back-to-back birdies on Friday to card a seven-under-par 65 in the second round of the Vodacom Origins of Golf at Sishen Golf Club.
Strydom will take a three-stroke lead into the final round of the 54-hole tournament and pulled him clear of Chris Swanepoel in second on seven-under.
In a share of third were Trevor Fisher Jnr and Victor Lange, who each carded five-under-par 67 to be at six-under after 36 holes.
Strydom is currently in position to win a maiden Sunshine Tour title.
“My wife has been really helpful with things,” he told the Sunshine Tour website. “She said, ‘Just do what you do, stay patient and don’t get angry.’ That was the main thing. I kept myself calm the whole two rounds now and I’ve played some phenomenal golf.”
Strydom, who now has 11 second places behind his name on the Sunshine Tour – as well as three on the Big Easy Tour.
“I have worked hard on that side of my game,” he said. “I had a few words from my dad, as well. He said if I get angry, I just make things worse. When you stay calm, anything can happen and that has showed in the past two days.”
While Strydom’s round was bogey-free, Swanepoel started and finished his with the only two bogeys on his card. But for those two holes, his was an impressive round with six birdies.
Fisher also made two bogeys in his 67, while the left-handed Lange made just one as that pair found themselves a shot ahead of Stephen Ferreira, overnight leader Thriston Lawrence and another leftie in Luke Jerling.
Of course, they all have a chance of chasing down Strydom, but the leader is feeling pretty confident heading into the final round.
“This form has been coming a long time now,” said Strydom. “I’ve been in the running the whole time, and now I’ve just got to get the finishing off work done. But mentally, I’m strong enough for that, so I’ll take tomorrow as it comes.”
Compiled by Lynn Butler
