Saturday, traditionally known as ‘moving day’, saw South Africans Dylan Frittelli and Brandon Stone climb the leaderboard in style, writes WADE PRETORIUS.
Frittelli, who won two weeks ago in Austria for the first time, signed for a third round 66 to move to T12 (at 15:00). Joining the Lyoness Open winner on -7 after 54 holes was a pair of Olympians in Jaco van Zyl and Stone.
Stone matched Frittelli’s 66, with the pair among those lucky to sneak into the weekend, but will now be eyeing a top 10 finish after making the most of their opportunity at the Golfclub München Eichenried.
Frittelli began his day with a birdie, before a run of four birdies in five holes helped him make the turn in 31. He made a bogey 6 on the 11, but then made his first 2 of the week at the next hole. He arrived on the 18th tee five-under for the day, before closing with a four on the par 5 final hole to end a very productive birdie-laden morning and boosting his hopes of yet another top-20 finish on the European Tour this year.
Like Frittelli, Stone also enjoyed a birdie-filled Saturday as he made six birdies in a flawless round of golf. Three birdies on either side of the turn helped the 24-year-old’s cause, who is riding high after he made his first Major cut last week at Erin Hills. Stone last won in December at the Alfred Dunhill Championship and had two top-10 finishes in January, but none since then as he looks to enhance his 32nd position in the Race to Dubai.
Stone’s Rio 2016 teammate, Jaco van Zyl, is the third South African on -7 with 18 to play. Van Zyl was out in 30 and moved to seven under with another birdie on the 11, but made two drops, including one on the 18th to finish with a 67 after rounds of 70 and 72 earlier in the week.
Richard Sterne is one behind the trio on -6 after a Saturday 66, with Ernie Els also in the clubhouse on -3 after a 71 above the Saturday cut line, being used for the first time this season after more than 78 players made the halfway cut. The new regulation comes into effect and there will be an additional cut after three rounds to the leading 72 professionals and those who tie for 72nd place.
On the wrong side of the new rule are Jbe Kruger and Dean Burmester. Kruger shot 73 today to move to par and is currently T79, with Burmester settling for a 75, and in T82.
Photo: File
