Christiaan Bezuidenhout joined Erik van Rooyen in the main chasing group, one behind Alviro Quiros after a Saturday 68 at the Trophee Hassan II, writes WADE PRETORIUS.
South African golf fans are in for a thrilling Sunday as Bezuidenhout played his way into contention with Van Rooyen holding his position in Rabat.
Bezuidenhout’s chances looked to be gone when he fell seven shots off the lead with bogeys on the 1st and 3rd but he birdied the 4th, 6th, 7th, 11th and 13th while he’s closing gain saw him get to six under.
Van Rooyen bounced back from a five at the 1st with three birdies in a row to move into a share of the lead which he maintained until bunker trouble at the 10th. The Challenge Tour graduate needed a birdie at the last to make up for his round’s third drop at the 15th to keep himself in line for his breakthrough win.
There is more South African interest with Brandon Stone, fresh off his 25th birthday, four back after a 69 which included a stretch of four birdies in six holes starting at the 5th to climb the leaderboard steadily. Unfortunately, his pursuit was dented by his round’s lone bogey at the 13th. Richard Sterne is one behind Stone after a 71 which was anything but boring.
Sterne made the turn -1 for the day after eight pars and a birdie at the par-four 6th before dropping two on the bounce at the 10th.
He got one of those shots back with a four at the par-five 12th before a double drop at the next. Instead of spiralling down the leaderboard, he jolted into action with four birdies in his final five holes to keep himself in line for a healthy payday.
In a congested leaderboard, there are four players one back and 21 within five, all chasing Quiros after he birdied the last to maintain the lead he took into the third round.
Photo: Andrew Redington/Getty Images
