Jacques Kruyswijk is in pole position to secure his first European Challenge Tour victory on home soil as he takes a two-shot lead into the final day of the Limpopo Championship.
The 27-year-old posted a three under par round of 69 in tough scoring conditions at Euphoria Golf Club to reach a total of 16 under par at the co-sanctioned event, two shots clear of defending champion JC Ritchie and overnight co-leader Louis de Jager.
The South African started the day in a share of the lead alongside compatriot de Jager but soon raced clear, reeling off four birdies over his front nine to open up a three shot advantage at the top of the leaderboard.
Kruyswijk maintained control over the closing holes despite strong winds making scoring increasingly difficult, with a dropped shot on the 16th the only blemish to an otherwise bogey free scorecard.
“It was a bit tasty out there today, especially with the wind coming up on the back nine,” he said. “Euphoria is a longer course than Koro Creek yesterday and with some tucked away pins, it definitely made scoring more difficult, so I’m happy to be under par.
“It’s great to be playing back at home. Euphoria and Koro Creek were my home courses for quite a long time when I was growing up and I’ve got a lot of local support this week, so it’s just great to be here. I know these courses like the back of my hand, and I think that will count to my advantage tomorrow.
“I still have some status on the European Tour, so I’m going to be focusing on playing some events on the Challenge Tour this year to try and regain my full status. Hopefully tomorrow can be the first step towards that, so I’m just going to go out there and try and make lots of birdies.”
Ritchie carded the low score of the day, a five under par round of 67, as he looks to defend his title, with his compatriot de Jager also two shots behind the leader after carding a one under par round of 71 on day three.
Teenager Wilco Nienaber and fellow South African Hennie du Plessis will start the final round two shots further back, with first round leader Daniel van Tonder occupying sixth position on ten under par.
The final round of the Limpopo Championship will get under way at 6.20am local time, with the leading group getting their title challenge started at 10.49am.
