Basson shoots 66 to extend lead at Waterkloof

Xander Basson shot an eventful second round of six-under-par 66 to take his total to 15-under ahead of the final round of the eighth Betway Big Easy Tour event at Waterkloof Golf Club.

The second round of this 54-hole tournament was suspended because of bad weather on Wednesday. Basson and most of the field hadn’t finished the round and had to come to wrap things up early on Friday.

While his front-nine 37 was not as impressive as he would have liked, the Silverlakes Golf Club member, Basson, got going on the homeward stretch. He shot a blemish-free 29 there in what was a show of skill, patience and determination.

“I had quite a slow start yesterday morning,” he said of his front nine showing. “I was hitting it well but I just left myself in some bad spots. But, this morning, I started off well and told my caddie that I felt I was hitting it well and we must try to make as many birdies as possible on the back nine. Then I went on a little streak there, so it was fun.

The weather-enforced delay did very little to demotivate Basson.

“I was actually excited to go back out yesterday,” he said. “But this morning I thought to myself I’m hitting it well and I’m rolling the putter well, so let’s go and make a few more putts and see what happens, Then I ended here on 18 with a give eagle putt. That was nice.”

Last week’s winner and another man on form, Paul Boshoff, carded a 67 to move to within two shots of Basson’s lead. Given the brilliant golf he has been playing, he will feel confident about his chances of a second win in as many starts.

At 11-under for the week and in solo third on the leaderboard is Leon Visser. Graham van der Merwe and Eric Wowor share fourth on nine-under.