Roelofsz maintains lead in Pretoria

Pretoria: Bryandrew Roelofsz added 68 to an earlier 65 to lead at nine under par heading into the final round of the South to East Challenge — round seven of the 19-stage Mena Golf Tour series — at Zwartkop Golf Club in Centurion, Pretoria, on Wednesday.

Roelofsz’s one-stroke lead comes thanks to a gutsy birdie on the par-four ninth hole — his last hole of the day, in the second round of this Sunshine Big Easy Tour co-sanctioned event.

“Finishing with a birdie is always nice — especially from where I was,” said Roelofsz who hit seven birdies and a bogey. “I was quite fortunate to pull it off. It was either going to be a freshy or I was going to hit the perfect shot. Luckily it worked out for me and it was a good finish. I’m happy with the 68.”

Last year’s Mena Tour Order of Merit winner Thriston Lawrence is a stroke behind Roelofsz after hitting 68, 66, level with Bryce Easton who hit 69, 65.

“Winning here would mean a lot as I have missed three events on the Mena Tour this season,” said Lawrence, who hit six birdies and a bogey. “I was well placed on the Order of Merit at the beginning of the year — so a win will obviously be nice and get me back on track.”

Haydn McCullen, who shared an opening day’s lead with Roelofsz followed up 65 with a 73 to drop to four under par. The cut was made at one over 143 with 56 players making into the final round.