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.