Sipho Bujela backed up an impressive 65 at Observatory Golf Club with a solid five-under 67 at Modderfontein Golf Club to move four shots clear at the 2017/18 Vusi Ngubeni Qualifying School on 13-under-par.
‘I started off well again with birdie on the first which gave me a good start. Modder is a great course and it’s very challenging so it was nice to start well again,’ explained Bujela.
Thankfully, lightning stayed away from the action at Modderforntein, however, blustery conditions made scoring difficult on moving day and Bujela was the only man in the field to make an eagle during the days play.
‘Yeah the eagle on eight was nice. The whole was playing long and it was into the wind. I had exactly 202 to the stick for my second and the wind was humming. I hit a nice draw with a four-iron which ended just left of the green and I managed to drop the chip,’ he said.
Holding a four-stroke lead over Omar Sandys, Bujela remains calm at a course he’s been a member of since 2011.
‘There is always pressure. I’m just going to focus on what I’ve been doing. I’m hitting the ball well and as I said, I know this track well. We should have the same group tomorrow so it should be fun,’ he said.
Occupying second place on nine-under, Sandys offers a wealth of experience and will be a threat to Bujela come Friday.
‘I enjoyed it. I hit the ball much better today and I really played well. I’ve been around on tour for 18 years and I’ve been in Europe too so the weather didn’t bother me,| he said of the conditions at Modderfontein.
‘It’s not really about winning this week. It’s more about getting the tour card and preparing myself for the main tour. That’s what this week is all about,’ added Sandys.
With one more round on the cards at Modderfontein Golf Club, Bujela echoes the thoughts of his playing partner Sandys with regards to coming away with a win.
‘If I can pull off the win it will be a bonus. Obviously, with the way I’m playing, I stand a good chance of winning, but I’m just looking forward to tomorrow now and hopefully getting that card,’ said Bujela.
From sunshinetour.com
SCORES:
203 – Sipho Bujela 71 65 67
207 – Omar Sandys 67 71 69
209 – Gerard du Plooy 64 74 71
210 – Heinrich Bruiners 72 69 69
213 – Musiwalo Nethunzwi 73 71 69, Makhetha Mazibuko 72 67 74
