Gerard du Plooy fired a blistering 8-under-par 64 at Observatory Golf Club to take a one-stroke lead into day two of Vusi Ngubeni Qualifying School.
The 2017/18 editions is taking place over two courses, and, du Plooy will head to Modderfontein Golf Club with amateur Wade Jacobs hot on his heels after the youngster carded a 7-under 65.
‘Yeah I can finally relax now because it’s so intense. I think what got the round off to a good start was the drive on number two. I hit a good one there and had nine-iron in which set-up the birdie,’ said du Plooy.
‘The nerves weren’t as bad because this is my fourth time to Q-School. Last year I missed out by one and that kind of motivated me even more because I had something to prove. The main thing is, is that it’s four long days. I’ve been through this before and I know that I’m not playing against anybody but myself,’ added du Plooy.
Although missing out by a single stroke last year would have hurt, du Plooy will go into tomorrow knowing what Modderfontein is all about.
‘At Modder in the final round last year I shot 68 so I know it quite well. I’ve been playing there a lot and I feel comfortable around there. I was just happy that I started here at Observatory and take advantage,’ he said.
Jacobs took charge on the par-fives at Observatory Golf Club, making eagle at the 10th and 14th holes that matched well with four other birdies.
‘I wanted to just go level-par but a few putts went in and I made two eagles which helped a lot. Coming in on the back nine I made three birdies so that helped a lot too,’ said Jacobs. ‘Off the tee I’m feeling quite solid and the putting is going well. A course like Modder, to me it feels easier than this one. The layout is much more open so we can get off the tee and be a bit more aggressive.’
Dwayne Basson was amongst those who fired in the 60s at Modderfontein on day one, and the man from Bellville was pleased with his return to Q-School following his second-place finish last year.
‘I’m obviously happy as it’s not always the best thing to be back here at Vusi, but to start like that with all the nerves and the butterflies before the round, I’ll take it,’ he said.
From sunshinetour.com
SCORES:
64 – Gerard du Plooy
65 – Wade Jacobs
67 – Omar Sandys
68 – Kenneth Dube
69 – Dwayne Basson, Teboho Sefatsa
