An astonishing back nine from Tyrone Ferreira saw the young South African surge into contention on the second day of the Apulia San Domenico Grand Final.
The 24 year old went from an also-ran to a contender to lift the €56,650 first prize after a dazzling display at San Domenico Golf in Puglia, southern Italy.
Ferreira flew home in just 29 shots – his back nine did not contain a single par – to sign for a round of 63 which moved him to seven under par.
Needing a top two finish in order to climb from his current Ranking position of 42nd into the top 20, the Johannesburg native is currently five shots off the pace set by England’s Tommy Fleetwood, who is on 12 under par through 15 holes.
He said: “I hardly holed a put on the front nine, but I hit it close on the tenth then made a great putt on the 11th, and that seemed to really get me going. After that, my putting stroke just felt great, my confidence grew, and I couldn’t seem to miss.
“I three-putted the 16th which set me back a bit, but then I recovered nicely with an eagle from the front edge on the 17th, which is driveable, and the birdie on the last was the perfect way to finish. I was just in the zone on the back nine – I wasn’t really thinking about anything else, just playing.
“It was only when I walked off and signed my card that I realised how well I’d scored. I needed a score like that because I need to finish first or second, so if I’d only shot level par today I would’ve been finished. It gets me back in the tournament and in with a chance of getting my card, but I’m going to have to get off to a better start tomorrow.”
Fleetwood is on course to match or even better Ferreira’s tour de force, having collected eight birdies in his first 15 holes.
