Siphiwe Siphayi produced a fantastic eight-under-par 64 on day two of the Joburg City Masters to take a one-stroke lead into the final day at Glendower Golf Club on a total of six-under-par.
Siphayi started the day two-over-par in a share of 28th place and seven-strokes behind overnight leader Bryn Flanagan, however a scintillating back nine, which included six birdies and three pars, shot him up the leaderboard into first place.
‘Yesterday we shot two-over and I came to the course today telling myself that I just wanted to get back to level or maybe get a bit lower. I played really well yesterday but just didn’t make any putts. I came out today and just worked on the putting and I guess I just started dropping putts,’ said Siphayi.
He approached the ninth hole on one-under-par for the day, and in a strange sequence of events, he entered the clubhouse through nine holes on two-under-par, needing to purchase new golf shoes from the pro shop.
‘I started well on the first nine – it was actually quite funny because my golf shoe ripped on the eighth hole and I had to run in and buy some shoes. Maybe it was the new shoes that gave me the six-under back nine,’ joked Siphayi.
His round of 64 was 10 shots better than his first round, and the 25-year-old says it is the putter that makes all the difference around a challenging layout.
‘Honestly, yesterday I hit the ball really well. Obviously conditions were a lot tougher than today, but today the putter was really hot. I made some nice long putts and it just got the momentum going. After the birdie on number 10 it just got better and better. I placed myself really well off the tee box and yeah we’ll have to see how it goes tomorrow,’ explained Siphayi.
With difficult scoring conditions being enforced by cold and rainy weather, he says he will keep his game plan simple heading into tomorrow.
‘I just make sure I dress warmly. Whilst I’m playing I keep stretching because you don’t want to get a bit cold, especially if you have to wait, so I’m always trying to just keep myself in the game. Today the momentum was great, my caddie really helped me and it was really enjoyable,’ said Siphayi.
Overnight leader Bryn Flanagan was the closest challenger, having carded a level-par 72 to sit on five-under-par for the tournament. England’s Craig Hinton occupied third position alongside Pieter Kruger, while six players sat a further shot back on two-under-par for the tournament.
Scores:
138 – Siphiwe Siphayi (RSA) 74 64
139 – Bryn Flanagan (RSA) 67 72
141 – Craig Hinton (ENG) 71 70, Pieter Kruger (RSA) 74 67
142 – David Mofokeng (LES) 70 72, David Meyers (AMA) (RSA) 70 72, Billy Spooner (ENG) 69 73, Riekus Nortje (RSA) 73 69, Kevin Rundle (RSA) 69 73,Gideon Pienaar (RSA) 73 69
143 – Jordan Garnish (ENG) 74 69
From sunshinetour.com
