Kruger chasing third title at Kempton

Pieter Kruger is looking for his third Big Easy Tour title in as many years and he hopes it comes at the same venue which delivered him his second title in 2016, but an impressive field of golfers will test his resolve.

Kruger won at BET Irene in 2015, then again in July last year and collected four top-10 finishes after that, to establish himself as a strong competitor. Last year at this event, Kruger made his intentions very clear from the first tee. A flawless opening nine-under 63 round catapulted him to the top of the leaderboard, while Kyle McClatchie gave chase with his seven-under 65 in second. The 68 he shot to total 13-under in the final round and that proved enough to win him a second title on the BET circuit.

Last year’s runners-up Etienne Bond and McClatchie will feel the two stroke defeat they suffered was too close a score and may be feeling they have a chance to turn it over this week.

And this duo is not going to be his only threat. American Zack Byrd has played some solid golf on the Sunshine Tour in his rookie season and already has two top-10 finishes and that top-20 he made at the Zambia Sugar Open in April.

Another player to look out for will be Herman Loubser after he has also impressed in his maiden season on the main tour. He played some of his best golf at Investec Swazi Open where he finished fourth, and will be very confident in Kempton Park.

The field at this event is strong enough to put off even the best players and the eventual winner will have his work cut out for him in during these two days.