It’s all bets off and go for broke as Sunday’s final round of the Bain’s Whisky Ubunye Championship delivers a three-way tie for the lead and a tantalising betterball format at Pretoria Country Club.
The teams of Brandon Stone/JJ Senekal, Louis Albertse/Hennie O’Kennedy and Ryan van Velzen/Luca Filippi will start the final round on 10 under par, two strokes clear of the duo of Rupert Kaminski and James Hart du Preez.
And after two rounds of the more challenging foursomes format, Sunday’s betterball will leave no room for the faint-hearted.
“In betterball someone can shoot 58 with their eyes closed. It’s going to be an aggressive final day and a fun day with all the names up there,” Senekal said of the challenge that lies ahead.
Senekal and Stone have looked extremely composed over the past two days and added a 73 in Saturday’s foursomes, using all of their experience on a tricky day. But they’re well aware that anything can still happen in the betterball format.
“Our job is to just keep doing what we do. We’ve played great golf together and on the final day you’ve just got to put your head down and focus on what we can control. You can’t worry about what the others are doing,” said Stone.
Albertse and his partner O’Kennedy are also pleased to have come through two days of foursomes with a share of the lead, and following a combined 72 on Saturday.
“Two days of foursomes is not easy and sometimes you have to grit your teeth, so we’re really going to enjoy it out there in the betterball on Sunday,” said Albertse, who credits playing with his “best friend” as the reason for their good performance.
“A crucial aspect to a tournament like this is enjoying it. Having a teammate and best friend like Hennie makes it even more enjoyable.”
And the young duo of Van Velzen and Filippi worked their way to a foursomes score of 73 on Saturday, which has put them in with a shot at the trophy.
“Both of us have been on the Sunshine Tour for about a year or two now,” said Filippi. “Ryan is a winner on Tour already and I’m hoping to join him by adding a trophy this week. It’s always nice being in a leading group. There will be pressure but I’m very excited for the final round.”
By Michael Vlismas
