Stellenbosch Golf Club’s Keenan Davidse says he is slowly regaining his confidence and if his opening round of 67 in the third tournament of the Betway Big Easy Tour event at Glenvista Country Club is anything to go by, he might be edging closer to his best.
He is making his second consecutive start on this Sunshine Tour feeder circuit as he prepares himself for the challenges of the main Tour.
In his first Betway Big Easy Tour start this season at Modderfontein Golf Club and following a lengthy break from professional golf, Davidse opened with back-to-back rounds of 67 before a 73 in the final round robbed him. He still finished third in that event.
“I played decently today,” said Davidse who is also a member of the Papwa Sewgolum Class. “I figure it’s just a putting thing for me because the mental side is still very good. I just need to get over that little hurdle, and stay focused and humbled. I’m playing really well, but just need to find the hole, somehow.
“I feel like the game is slowly getting back to where I know it can be. But, this is not an easy track. I played a practice round here and the wind was pumping. Even today, it was tough because it’s so firm. I think you need a little bit of luck here. Overall, I am happy and let’s see what happens in the next round.”
He is a stroke clear at the top, with the quartet of Christian Kriek, England’s Joe Knox, Slade Pickering and Zambia’s Dayne Moore chasing hard.
Henning Du Plooy, Jaden Deltel, Leon Vorster, Keanu Pestana, Reece McKain and Stals Swart shared sixth after rounds of 69 each.
“It’s great to have a good round under the belt,” Kriek said. “I’ve been struggling a bit, lately, and it’s good to finally get some confidence back. The greens are so fast here so all I did was to try and keep the ball in play. I figured if I do that, I will give myself opportunities and it turned out to be a great round for me.”
Jacquin Hess and Adriel Poonan ended the day as the highest-placing members of the Papwa Sewgolum Class. They find themselves in a share of 17th following respective rounds of one-under-par 71.
The Betway Big Easy Tour is the Sunshine Tour’s developmental circuit and enjoys the support of the legendary Ernie Els among others.
