– The South African Shaun Norris (-14) has set the course for victory at the Joburg Open. He signed a card of 67 strokes in the third round and is the clear leader of the tournament with a four-stroke advantage over the Frenchman Adrien Saddier (-10) and fellow South African Jacques Kruyswijk (-10). He still needs to perform well in the final 18 holes to seal the win, but he certainly has it in hand. The 42-year-old veteran golfer is experiencing the best moment of his sporting career and is ready to make the most of it as if there were no tomorrow.
– Norris won the Alfred Dunhill Championship at Leopard Creek before the end of last year. Two weeks earlier, he had also won in Japan. In his last ten tournaments, he has finished in the top ten seven times, including a valuable sixth place at the Hero Dubai Desert Classic. He is fifth in the Race to Dubai and with a victory, he would move to second, only behind Laurie Canter, return to the world top 100 more than two years later, and practically secure his presence at the PGA Championship, a tournament he has only played three times in his career. It would be his third victory in the last eight tournaments. Also his third in the DP World Tour (Steyn City Championship 2022 and Alfred Dunhill Championship 2024). All three in South Africa.
– Norris’s sweet moment is evident in moments like the one he experienced this Saturday. He started with a good birdie on the 1st, as he does every day, but shortly after made a significant mistake resulting in a double bogey on the 3rd. The tournament tightened, and he shared the lead. Far from being frightened, he didn’t let doubts arise. His reaction was outstanding with two consecutive birdies on the 4th and 5th, with excellent shots, and three more on holes 11, 12, and 14. He finished with a bogey on the 15th, but he was the least affected in the final holes.
– Among the chasers, Kruyswijk should be considered, as he has already won this year, having done so in Kenya two weeks ago, and really has nothing to lose this Sunday. Saddier, Von Dellinghausen (-9), and all those coming from behind are aware that a victory could change their lives, but at the same time, they have much to lose. Any top 5 finish is very valuable for them at this stage. None of those at the top have their future secured in the DP World Tour.
– In fifth place with eight under par, six behind Norris, there is a handful of interesting players: the young Dane Jacob Skov Olesen, the also very young and promising South African Robin Williams, who delivered the best round today with 64 strokes, or Daniel Van Tonder, who comes from winning two tournaments in the DP World Tour. Another who has been doing well for some time is the Englishman Daniel Brown, also with -8.
– Alfredo García Heredia (-2) was unable to take advantage of the moving day. He signed 71 strokes, one over par, barely changing his position in the standings. Tomorrow he will still have a chance to make a significant move up the table, although he will need to deliver the best round of the day or something very similar. Additionally, Adrián Otaegui (-7), who you know has been competing for the United Arab Emirates since this season, is just a step away from the top 10 of the tournament after scoring 67 strokes today.
