George Coetzee is on track to claim his fourth Vodacom Origins of Golf title as he heads into Friday’s final round with a three-stroke lead at De Zalze Golf Estate.

Coetzee signed for a 66 in Thursday’s second round to maintain his place at the top of the leaderboard on 15 under par.

There was another early bogey in his round, but which he followed with the same run of birdies as he did during his opening 63.

After teeing off the 10th, Coetzee bogeyed the short 12th hole. But he responded with a birdie on the 13th, added another birdie on the 18th, and then came home with a strong second nine of 31. He’s certainly not been short of birdies, making 17 of them over 36 holes.

“It’s weird. Some days you struggle to make any birdies, and then some days they just show up on your doorstep,” he said.

Coetzee is looking to add to his three titles on the Vodacom Origins of Golf Series in 2007, 2008 and 2019.

“It’s obviously nice to come back and play this Vodacom Origins of Golf series, and to play well is always a bonus.”

Benoni’s Pieter Moolman is his nearest challenger on 12 under par following his round of 65, while Tristen Strydom, Desne van den Bergh and Alex Haindl are well placed on 10 under par.

Oliver Bekker finished the round at nine under par for the tournament but had to withdraw following a positive Covid-19 test. – Michael Vlismas