The Nedbank Challenge seemed all but decided, not that it can’t be now, but the 18th hole at Sun City has decided to add some excitement. The reality is that something akin to a tragedy could separate Kristoffer Reitan (-17) from a victory at Gary Player’s home and what would be his second victory on the DP World Tour. His immediate pursuer is Jayden Schaper (-12) who is looking to open his account on the European Circuit
The Norwegian has built a five-shot lead, but it was once eight shots. Two key factors have occurred. Reitan has kept the momentum going from the first two rounds, also signing the third-best card of the moving day, while his immediate pursuers have faltered. Saddier started second and returned a card of 76 shots. Nine shots difference between them.
As mentioned, Kristoffer Reitan doesn’t do things by halves. His first victory came in Belgium after a seven-shot comeback in the final round, and he is going for the second with a five-shot lead. Don’t think we’ve already handed him the champion’s trophy, but it must be acknowledged that it would be a real disaster if he doesn’t achieve it.
The spark in this second round was ignited by the second shot on the 9th hole. Until then, a solitary birdie. Reitan had a 216-metre shot to the flag, went all out, and left it six metres from the flag. He needed to sink the eagle putt, and he did. He set his round alight and strung together three birdies in the next four flags. Only a pause due to a thunderstorm with three holes to go made him doubt. On the 54th hole came his only mistake of the day. A double bogey after visiting the bushes prevented him from being handed the trophy this Saturday.
The Norwegian wants to head to the PGA Tour with his second victory in the bag. He must be recognised for his incredible form. Since March, he has only missed one cut and has accumulated fourteen top-thirty finishes in his last sixteen attempts.
As for the Spaniards, Ángel Ayora remains the best of the Armada. He is right in the top ten and within three shots of third place. He hasn’t managed a spectacular moving day either, but he’s always there, and given Reitan’s records, it wouldn’t have helped him fight for the win.
Alex del Rey (-4) and Jorge Campillo (-3), who started this weekend with chances of a good result in South Africa, have left their work for Sunday after returning level-par cards. The top ten is three and four shots away, respectively.
None of the remaining four Spaniards managed to conquer Sun City this Saturday and have fallen to the lower half of the table: Pablo Larrazábal (PAR), Eugenio Chacarra (+1), Ángel Hidalgo (+3), and Nacho Elvira (+4) will try to close Sunday by scraping as many points as possible. You never know what might happen at the end of the season.
