Louis Albertse, Rhys Enoch and Alexander Levy will share a one stroke lead heading into the weekend of the SDC Open, the opening event of the 2024 Road to Mallorca.
The trio all reached 12 under par for the week at Zebula Golf Estate & Spa, one shot clear of South African Wilco Nienaber who had held the overnight lead alongside Levy.
South African Albertse produced a second successive bogey-free round on the bushveld layout, carding five birdies and an eagle on his way to a seven under par 65.
Enoch also impressed on another low scoring day at Zebula. Starting on the tenth, he made the turn four under par before adding three more birdies and solitary bogey to join the leaders.
The Welshman says patience and some good fortune has been the key to posting two rounds of 66 across the opening two days.
“It's funny, it hasn't been the most perfect golf,” he said. “I've seemed to get a few favourable bounces where I've then had shots into the greens, so I've been a fraction fortunate off a few tee shots. Obviously I'm very happy with two 66s.
“I've managed myself and my game well. I just haven't been greedy at all really. Because of the nature of the golf course, with four reachable par fives and a driveable par four, you can make scores. Not being greedy and not being careless is important which is why I'm in this position.”
Levy was one of the early starters and made the turn at level par before firing four birdies on the back nine to remain at the top on day two.
The Frenchman was delighted with how he found his swing on the back nine after a difficult start to his day.
“I’m really pleased,” he said. “I didn’t have my A game today so to shoot under par was really good. I think I’m proud of what I did on the back nine in particular.
“I was struggling really. I didn’t feel that my swing was that good on the front nine, and then I started to play better, so it was nice to come back like that and hit some good shots at the end.
“It was the first time I’ve played in the morning here, and with the altitude we’re playing at, I didn’t know how the ball was going to fly so it was a little bit difficult and a little bit breezy.”
The 33-year-old, a five-time winner on the DP World Tour, last tasted victory in 2018 at the Trophee Hassan II, but could add a maiden Challenge Tour title to his collection this week.
Levy almost eagled the last, but tapped in for birdie on the par five 18th to put himself in a strong position going into the weekend.
“I had two long putts that both just lipped out, but it was a really good birdie at the last to give me good momentum, and a good sleep tonight to get ready for tomorrow.
“I think my attitude was good out there. I was struggling on the front nine and I said to myself to stay calm, to try to hit good shots at the right time and I think I was a little bit lucky also today. I just told myself to be patient, that the game is there and that it will be back.”
Five players share fifth place on ten under par including South African trio Jbe Kruger, Gerhard Pepler and Malcolm Mitchell, Spaniard Angel Ayora and Englishman Curtis Knipes.
Philipp Katich from Germany, Dylan Naidoo and Ryan van Veltzen from South Africa, Zimbabwean Benjamin Follett-Smith and Englishman Chris Paisley are one stroke further back in a share of tenth.
The third round gets under way at 6:35am local time with Levy and Albertse teeing off at 12:00pm and Enoch teeing off alongside Nienaber at 11:50am.
