Big Easy Tour Feed

Second successive 67 sends Procter top of the leaderboard at Waterkloof

Travis Procter backed up his opening round of 67 with another on day two of the Betway Big Easy Blue Label Invitational, taking a one-stroke lead into the final round at Waterkloof Golf Club, in the process. Seven birdies and two drops characterised Procter’s round, and his second-round five-under 67 was enough to see the Capetonian climb to the top of the leaderboard ahead of what promises to be an exciting final round in the country’s Capital. “Funny enough, I had never seen this course until yesterday’s first round,” revealed Procter. “I didn’t play the practice round, but luckily, Andries, my caddie, has been really helpful; he knows this course well. “But it’s kind of my type of golf course; it reminds me of my course back home, Durbanville. You can hit it a bit skew, but there are a lot of opportunities if your wedges and putting is good. I feel quite comfortable around here. Slim as his lead may be going into the final 18 holes here, Procter has got a real shot at claiming his maiden title on this Sunshine Tour feeder circuit. “I feel like I’ve been playing really well the whole year,” he noted. “I just haven’t managed to put a tournament together. But for once, everything is working and everything is feeling good. I’m hitting it well; I’m chipping it really well. I’ve actually made a few putts too and birdied all the par-threes today. I don’t think I’ve ever done that in my life, so I’m looking forward to tomorrow.” Hot on Procter’s heels is Oliver Goldhill who shot 68 on day two to take his total to nine-under for the week and just a stroke off the pace. The rookie has shown glimpses of brilliance this season and will feel that a breakthrough win is on the horizon. “It was really solid today,” said Goldhill. “I kept it in play most of the time and played some really good wedges. And the putter worked again. It’s been a bit frustrating to feel like you’ve been knocking on the door and it won’t open. But I feel like it is coming in closer and closer. Hopefully, this week is the one.” The Betway Big Easy Tour is the Sunshine Tour’s feeder circuit and enjoys the support of the legendary Ernie Els, among other patrons. The Betway Big Easy Blue Label Invitational is a series which the Big Easy co-hosts with the Bushveld Tour to provide more playing opportunities to members of both tours.

Pieters rolls back the years to snatch early lead at Waterkloof

Veteran Brandon Pieters rolled back the years with a fine performance in round one of the Betway Big Easy Blue Label Invitational, shooting a solid 66 to take a one-stroke lead at Waterkloof Golf Club on Monday. The 49-year-old made a total of nine birdies, a bogey and a double to sign for six-under-par 66, finishing the round one clear of the closest challengers. “It was a good day,” said Pieters after his round. “I’ve been working on my physical strength and body work. I was just trying to make it simple out there, with no expectations. I have a dear brother of mine who likes to say to me, ‘Just smile and wave, and no matter what happens, just keep it going. “Today was one of those days. I had a really solid front nine. Made a couple of mistakes, and I was a bit unlucky on the back nine. But the old dog still has some tricks, and even though I limped home, it’s the first round, and it’s nice to play well and let’s see it through to Wednesday. Pieters, who has four Sunshine Tour victories to his name, is also pleased his game has been trending in the right direction lately, stating that it all comes down to solid pre-season preparation. “I think all the work we did prior to the start of the season is starting to come through. Our preparation; we’re changing a couple of things because us old dogs can’t work as hard as the youngsters, but we have to work smarter. New putter, different length putter; we are looking for any kind of edge we can get on the kids, and I got one up on them today, and it makes me feel good.” Rookie Oliver Goldhill, Brandon Gildenhuys, Eswatini’s James Pennington, Travis Proctor and Benoni Country Club’s Warwick Purchase lie one stroke off Pieters’ lead and will feel they all have a real chance of unseating the veteran campaigner from the summit of the leaderboard. Members of the Papwa Sewgolum Class, Lyle Pedro and Keelan Van Wyk are in a six-way share of the seventh spot along with Eric Wowor, Ruan Groenewald, Tiago Jorge Swart and England’s Joe Knox, thanks to scores of four-under 68 on day one. The Betway Big Easy Tour is the Sunshine Tour’s feeder circuit and enjoys the support of the legendary Ernie Els, among other patrons. The Betway Big Easy Blue Label Invitational is a series which the Big Easy co-hosts with the Bushveld Tour to provide more playing opportunities to members of both tours.

Bautista earns hard-fought breakthrough victory in Benoni

Just a few days after South Africa defeated Australia in the World Test Championship, another epic battle between the two sporting rivals ensued on the fairways of Benoni Country Club. It was not a team sport, this time. On Thursday morning, Robertson Golf Club’s Jacquin Hess and the young Kayle Wykes arrived in Benoni leading after 36 holes. The two members of the Papwa Sewgolum Class held a single-shot lead over Australia’s Austin Bautista, who had backed up his opening 66 with a 71 on day two. The two South Africans and an Australian in the final group. Things looked all even after nine holes. And then the showdown began. After a level-par front nine, Wykes lost momentum on the back nine and shot 39 on that stretch to sign for 75. Then it became a back-and-forth match-up between Hess and Bautista as both players showed grit and resilience. Bautista was one under on the front nine, and Hess was level-par. After the turn, where one player made a birdie, the other made a par, and vice versa from holes 10 to 13. Hess dropped on 14, and Bautista made par. They both birdied 16, and Bautista birdied the last to seal a round of 68 and claim a two-shot victory on a total 11-under-par 205. “I got one up on you guys today,” Bautista joked, referring to the sporting rivalry between his country and South Africa. “It was why I play professional golf,” said Bautista after his hard-fought win. “If you gave it to me more easily, I would probably not as enjoy it as much. It was a really good battle, and Hessy played really well. I was trying to pull away, but it’s hard to win golf tournaments sometimes. Bautista also remarked on his aggressive strategy coming down the stretch. “You don’t win golf tournaments playing safe,” he said with assurance. “Maybe some places, but even in the US Open, JJ didn’t win because he hit middle of the green and two-putted; he won because he went for it. “You have to go for it. You have to back yourself and believe in yourself. I did. I pulled off all the shots that I had to pull off.” Bautista becomes the first Australian professional to win on the Betway Big Easy Tour, and with his triumph in the East Rand, he now moves to fifth on the Order of Merit. The top 12 players on the standings by the end of the campaign will earn their Sunshine Tour playing privileges for the next season. The Betway Big Easy Tour is the Sunshine Tour’s feeder circuit and enjoys the support of the legendary Ernie Els among other patrons.

Wykes dazzles to a share of lead ahead of final round in Benoni

Kayle Wykes carded a low six-under-par 66 in the second round of the Betway Big Easy Tour #4 on Wednesday, taking his total to eight-under, placing him in a share of the lead ahead of the final round at Benoni Country Club. Playing alongside overnight leader, Jacquin Hess, whose second-round 70 was enough to see him maintain his place at the summit of the leaderboard, Wykes showed maturity of a seasoned veteran in the face of cold and windy conditions in Benoni. Starting his round from the 10th, Wykes made an eagle and a brace of birdies to turn in 32 and bogey-free. After the turn, Wykes added birdies on the first, third and fifth – his 10th, 12th and 14th holes of the round. However, his joy would be cut short as he dropped on two consecutive holes – six and seven. He shrugged those off with a magnificent birdie on the last for a round of 66. “I don’t know who set up the course, but it was really tough today,” noted Wykes. “With every shot, you really had to think about where you’re going to put it; you couldn’t just think ‘I’m going to put this close’. You had to pick which side you’re going to put it on to have uphill putts. The pins were really brutal today. “But I thought I scrambled a good round together; made a lot of putts but also missed a few because the flags were so difficult. I also tried to keep it under the wind as well, and I think that helped me out.” Co-leading by a single stroke and in with a real chance at glory this week, Wykes is aware of the challenge that lies ahead. “I am a little bit nervous but that’s what you have to accept,” he said of the final round. “All I have to do is to commit myself; this course forces you to commit to every shot, otherwise you’re in the bush or the trees or somewhere. So, you just pick your line and commit. But I am also excited to be in the final group and challenging.” Australia’s Austin Bautista was able to weave together a round of 71 to take solo third on seven-under for the week, while State Mines Country Club’s Vaughn Van Deventer’s 67 catapulted him to fourth on the leaderboard. The Betway Big Easy Tour is the Sunshine Tour’s feeder circuit and enjoys the support of the legendary Ernie Els among other patrons.

Bautista, Hess race to early Big Easy lead in Benoni

Australia’s Austin Bautista made a strong start to the fourth Betway Big Easy Tour event of the season on Tuesday, carding an opening round of six-under 66 to share the early lead with Jacquin Hess at Benoni Country Club. The Q-School graduate, Bautista, has shown his quality over a few events now, both on this Sunshine Tour feeder circuit and the main Tour itself. His second-place finish in the FBC Zim Open earlier in the season stands testament to his ability to perform at the highest level. “I’m just riding a tsunami, you know,” said Austin of his current form. “I’m on top of this gigantic wave, and I’m going to ride it all the way through to a bigger Tour, bigger wins. A lot of hard work goes into it, and it’s not a stroke of luck that I’ve just started playing good golf. It’s hard work, dedication and doing the right stuff. “I got off to a slow start today; it was cold. I started to warm up and started to make some putts. I hit a driver on 18, which was my ninth. It was perfect, then I hit a 3-wood to five feet and made eagle. Then I followed that up with a couple more birdies. So, the round was good.” While Bautista continues to ride his wave, Hess can also easily be thrown into that mix. The Robertson’s Golf Club member, Hess, has had a couple of solid starts to events this season. On Tuesday, and following a nervy front-nine one-over 37 which included two double-bogeys, Hess got into his groove. An eagle on after the turn solidified his resolve and was soon followed by a hat-trick of birdies from 12 through to 15. Hess, a member of the Papwa Sewgolum Class, was not done, however. He made further gains with birdies on the 17th and the last hole to seal a round of 66 to co-lead by two strokes. “I actually started very well,” said Hess. “Birdie on the first and a nice long birdie-putt on the third. I think it must have been a 50-footer. But I had two doubles before that birdie on nine. The back nine was much better. “This golf course is perfect for me; I get perfect numbers here, and the greens are just unbelievable. I am happy I was able to take advantage of these fast greens, and I hope to continue playing well so we can see where it all takes me.” Bradley De Beer and Jacques Van Der Merwe trail by two strokes after opening with respective rounds of 68. A stroke further lies the trio of Ryan Van Der Klis, local man Reece McKain and member of the Papwa Sewgolum Class, Jordan Duminy. The Betway Big Easy Tour is the Sunshine Tour’s feeder circuit and enjoys the support of the legendary Ernie Els among other patrons.

Ryan rallies to hard-fought win at The Wanderers

Tyrone Ryan made a sensational return to the winner’s circle when he claimed a come-from-behind victory in the Betway Big Easy Tour #3 event held at The Wanderers Golf Club on Thursday. The one-time winner on the Sunshine Tour carded a final-round one-under 70 to get to nine-under on Thursday, a shot clear of the resurgent Brandon Pieters, claiming a long-awaited win in the process. His 2017 Sun Boardwalk Challenge victory had become a stuff of memory, having challenged for wins in many Betway Big Easy Tour events in recent times but to fall short at each turn, this win was particularly sweet to Ryan. “This win means a lot,” he said. “I’ve been playing good golf. My golf’s been solid, I just not been able to put three rounds together or four rounds in the bigger events. To get the first two rounds under my belt this week was nice because then, you’re not chasing the whole time. “So, I knew that today I just had to play solidly; the course was set up tough, the wind was gusting, so I knew I had to keep it solid, and luckily, I got the birdie on the last.” Tied at eight-under with England’s Joe Sullivan and Pieters, who was already in the clubhouse – coming up the 18th tee box, Ryan knew that a birdie or better on the last would give him an outright win to avoid the stress of a sudden-death. Sullivan couldn’t birdie 18, and Ryan, having placed his approach shot to about eight or 10 feet of the flag, calmly rolled in his birdie-putt to snap a winless run that spans more than half a decade. “Auto-pilot,” said. “That’s the word. I just thought that I needed to stay calm. I think I learnt a lot in the last few years about just it’s so nice to be out on the golf course than anywhere else. Even if you have bad days, you have to enjoy it, and when really good days come, like this one, you just have to keep going. “It was nice. The last few months, the golf’s been good, so just enjoy it. Have fun out there. Three rounds under-par; I had a good second round, I was in contention, and then to close it off. It gives you that little bit of belief that you can cross the line and you can put three or four good rounds together in a tournament when you need to. That’s been the biggest thing for me; knowing that I can put together those rounds and be in contention.” Ryan will go into next week’s event at Benoni Country Club with renewed confidence as he seeks to re-establish himself as one of the elite performers on this Sunshine Tour feeder circuit. The Betway Big Easy Tour is the Sunshine Tour’s feeder circuit and enjoys the support of the legendary Ernie Els among other patrons.

Blemish-free 63 hands Manchest slim lead ahead of Big Easy final round

A bogey-free eight-under-par 63 on Wednesday took Franklin Manchest’s tournament total to nine-under par, handing him a one-stroke lead ahead of the final round of the Betway Big Easy Tour #3 at The Wanderers Golf Club. Manchest, a member of the Papwa Sewglum Class, came into the second round five shots behind Jacquin Hess, who was leading at six-under. A birdie on the 10th, his first hole of the round, gave Manchest a good start to the day. That was followed by three straight pars before the George-native found some joy with a birdie on the 14th, which was his fifth. Manchest made further gains on the 16th, walking off with a birdie there to turn in 32. After the turn, Manchest let loose, making five birdies on the trot as he ascended to the summit of the leaderboard. “My mental skills really kicked in today, said Manchest after his round. “I’m feeling a little under the weather, but I kept my composure in the last two days, especially today, to keep myself bogey-free. “But beyond that, I think what was really good about my round today was the putting. It has been off for a while, but today I found something in my putting that I really enjoyed.” He goes into the final round leading the pack, even if by a slim margin, but Manchest is not fazed by the moment. After all, he has been in contention in big moments before, and Thursday’s final round will provide him with another shot at victory. “For me, the feeling of being up there is familiar,” he said. “There’s always pressure in professional golf, so it’s not too much of a big deal. I am really looking forward to seeing what I can do out there tomorrow.” Manchest will be very much aware of the chasing pack led by the experienced Tyrone Ryan, whose second-round 66 catapulted him to second on the leaderboard on a tournament total of eight-under par. Moreover, young guns like Oliver Goldhill and eSwatini’s James Pennington, both at seven-under, aren’t too far off the lead and will relish their chances of unseating Manchest from the summit. The Betway Big Easy Tour is the Sunshine Tour’s feeder circuit and enjoys the support of the legendary Ernie Els among other patrons.

Hot putter gives Hess early lead at Wanderers

Robertson Golf Club’s Jacquin Hess credited his putter after shooting an opening round of six-under-par 65 that gave him a two-shot lead in the Betway Big Easy Tour #3 at The Wanderers Golf Club on Tuesday. The member of the Papwa Sewgolum Class, Hess, opened his round with a birdie and followed that up with eight straight pars as he avoided any big number on his card. After the turn, Hess switched gears, making a crucial eagle on the par-five 10th to get his scores moving in the right direction. The eagle paved the way for a hat-trick of birdies from 11 through 13th before a pair of pars brought his run to a halt. A drop on 16 threatened his progress, but Hess bounced back with a birdie on 17 before finishing off with a par on the last for a round of 65. “I played some fantastic golf under some very difficult conditions,” noted Hess. “It was cold and windy; it felt like the weather from Cape Town came to Joburg today. But the golf course is in fantastic condition, and obviously, I love fast greens. “I was here last Monday and had a feel of the course. I started eagle-birdie last Monday, and today I did it on the back nine. I went crazy on the back nine. My putter was so hot, I’d just get it on the line, and it was in. So, as I said, I just loved Kikuyu grass and I love fast greens because that’s what I am used to back home in Robertsons.” Meanwhile, rookie Oliver Goldhill also produced a brilliant round of his own. His 67 consisted of a pair of eagles, three birdies and three dropped shots. “I played really solidly,” said Goldhill after his round. “I took advantage of the holes downwind; I feel like that’s what you have to do in these types of windy conditions, take advantage of those easier holes. “And I made two eagles today, which is pretty sweet, and those kept my round going. So, I am happy.” A shot further and in a share of third is England’s Joe Knox, eSwatini’s James Pennington, LB Boshoff, Tyrone Ryan and member of the Papwa Sewgolum Class, Jordan Duminy. Winners of the last two events, Harry Konig and Joe Sullivan, share the eighth spot with veteran campaigners Ulrich Van Den Berg and Peter Karmis alongside Australia’s Austin Bautista and Sentanio Minnie, at two under par. The Betway Big Easy Tour is the Sunshine Tour’s feeder circuit and enjoys the support of the legendary Ernie Els among other patrons.

Sullivan gifts himself late birthday present with maiden Big Easy win

England’s Joe Sullivan gifted himself the perfect birthday present, albeit a little late, when he clinched the Betway Big Easy Blue Label Invitational at Killarney Country Club on Wednesday. Sullivan, who turned 23 on May 6, claimed his maiden Betway Big Easy Tour title in some spectacular fashion on Wednesday, defeating Tristan Leonard on the first hole of sudden-death after both players finished three-under in regulation. Leonard opted to tee off first, landing his shot in the middle of the fairway, while Sullivan pushed his to the left of the fairway, where he had some trees and water to negotiate with. His second show was a thing of beauty, with the ball skipping across the water that guards the 18th green, landing 75 feet from the flag. Leonard found the edge of the green with his second shot, necessitating a chip-in for birdie, which he missed. Sullivan stood over his ball for his birdie-putt, read his line to perfection and drained the long putt to end the contest. “As I said previously, I stick to my process,” said the Sussex native, Sullivan, when assessing his final round. “I have a process that goes into every week, but unfortunately, I can’t reveal what it is. The process is important to me, and it keeps me calm and in the moment. “That play-off is one for the history books, for sure. It was not my best tee shot; down the left-hand side, I had 190 yards to the pin and decided to hit it right of the bunker. It, somehow, skipped across the water and onto the green, to 75 feet, and I holed it. I couldn’t complain about that one, the putter was hot this week. Having finished in a share of second in the last event, Sullivan admitted that he felt his time would come sooner rather than later. “What a moment,” he remarked. “I’ve been grinding hard, and it felt like the win has been coming over the last couple of weeks, so it’s nice to finally get it done.” Sullivan, still in his rookie season, joins fellow Englishman Harry Konig, veteran Ulrich Van Den Berg and member of the Papwa Sewgolum Class, Lyle Pedro, in the winner’s category for this season, an achievement he hopes will help accelerate his pursuit of a Sunshine Tour card for next season. “This is a great place for starting your professional career,” he said of this Sunshine Tour feeder circuit. “The competition is good, the golf courses are good, and everything is good. This is a great stepping stone in the right direction. “This win is important because the more points I get, the easier it will be for me to finish inside the top 12 and get my Sunshine Tour card at the end of the year; that’s what we are all playing for here. I’m just happy that I can get the points early on in the season.” With his win at Killarney, Sullivan has now climbed to the summit of the Order of Merit. The top 12 players at the end of the season will earn their Sunshine Tour playing privileges for next season. The Betway Big Easy Tour is the Sunshine Tour’s feeder circuit and enjoys the support of the legendary Ernie Els among other patrons.

Porteous, Pickering pull clear on moving day

Haydn Porteous and Slade Pickering will head into the final round of the Betway Big Easy Blue Label Invitational tied for the lead as both players sit top of the leaderboard at five-under-par after the second round at Killarney Country Club. Porteous, a former Joburg Open winner, backed up his even-par opening round with a round of five-under 65 on day two of this 54-hole event co-hosted with the Bushveld Tour. Pickering, on the other hand, produced a fine round of six-under 64 to total five-under-par, ensuring he and Porteous share a one-stroke lead going into the final round. “It’s been a work in progress,” said Porteous of his resurgent form. “I’ve definitely started playing a little bit better in the last few weeks. I’ve felt like, for something like three weeks in a row, I’ve let a few shots slip, especially towards the back end of the rounds. “This week, I’ve remained solid throughout the whole round. Today, I was able to make a few more putts than I’ve been able to. Tomorrow I’ll be in with a better shot than I’ve had for a while, and I’m looking forward to it.” For Pickering, a winner last season, tomorrow’s final round will present an opportunity to claim yet another victory on this Sunshine Tour feeder circuit. “Yesterday, I struggled a little bit,” noted Pickering. “I had a pretty bad three-hole stretch on 16, 17 and 18; I just lost a bit of concentration there. But then today, I made sure that I stayed focused throughout the round, and the putter came alive, and I holed a few putts coming down the stretch. But, I’m glad to be in the seat again and I’ll give them a run for their money.” Englishmen, Luke Joy and Joe Sullivan, along with member of the Papwa Sewgolum Class, Thabiso Ngcobo lie just one shot off the pace and will relish their respective chances at glory this week. The Betway Big Easy Blue Label Invitational is co-hosted by the Betway Big Easy Tour and the Blue Label Bushveld Tour and aims to provide members of both tours with further playing opportunities. The Betway Big Easy Tour is the Sunshine Tour’s feeder circuit and enjoys the support of the legendary Ernie Els among other patrons.

Sullivan takes slim lead at Killarney

England’s Joe Sullivan carded an opening round of three-under 67 on Tuesday to lead by one stroke in the second Big Easy Blue Label Invitational held at Killarney Country Club. Starting on the 10th tee on Tuesday, Sullivan got off to a perfect start, making three birdies on his first five holes while keeping the big numbers at bay. An unwanted bogey finally visited his scorecard on the par-five 15th – his sixth hole of the day. He recovered from that with a birdie on 17 and then a par on 18 which was his ninth hole. That par proved to be the first of seven in a row, but Sullivan suffered another setback when he dropped on the seventh. He steadied himself and walked away with a par on the eighth, his second-last hole of the round, before birdieing the last to seal a round of 67. “It was a good round of golf,” said Sullivan. “I played nicely for the most part. It’s a tough golf course, and there are some tight holes out there. But today I had the putter rolling. I just played solid. “You don’t have to do anything special on the first round; just solid golf; put it on the right spots and try to hit 18 greens and go from there. I think I did well today, and we’ll see what happens tomorrow.” Members of the Papwa Sewgolum Class Keelan Africa, Jastice Mashego and Thabiso Ngcobo share the second spot with Tristan Leonard, Leon Visser and Kian Coetzer after respective rounds of 68. The Betway Big Easy Tour is the Sunshine Tour’s feeder circuit and enjoys the support of the legendary Ernie Els among other patrons.

Konig keeps his place at the top in testing conditions at Glenvista

Brutal wind and extreme cold on day two of the Betway Big Easy Tour #2 were not enough to stop England’s Harry Konig from keeping his place at the top of the leaderboard after an even-par round at Glenvista Country Club on Wednesday. On a day when low scores were hard to come by, Konig showed resilience and unmatched focus as he went round this track with discipline and determination. Two bogeys and a double-drop accompanied four birdies on the Englishman’s scorecard, leaving him at seven-under for the week and a stroke clear of the chasing pack led by his countryman, Joe Sullivan and last week’s winner, Lyle Pedro. Sullivan was the biggest mover of the day after carding an inspired six-under 66 to back up his opening 72. Two birdies and two drops on the front nine paved the way for a blemish-free back nine in which Sullivan made four birdies and an eagle for a round of 66. Pedro, on the other hand, rode the momentum of his opening 66 and signed for a level-par 72 to stay within reach of Konig’s lead heading into the final round. The member of the Papwa Sewgolum Class cut a composed figure throughout what was a testing round of golf. His four birdies on day two were cancelled out by the same number of bogeys he made. The second-lowest score of the round came from Joe Knox, whose four-under 68 catapulted him to solo fourth on a tournament total of four-under-par. Seven players, including Haydn Porteous, Chile’s Tomas Gana, Tristan Leonard, Jacques van der Merwe, Brandon Gildenhuys, Wandre Snyman and Glenvista’s own Louis Liebenberg, tied fifth on two-under. The Betway Big Easy Tour is the Sunshine Tour’s feeder circuit and enjoys the support of the legendary Ernie Els among other patrons.

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