Vaughan draws on past Swazi experiences at King’s Cup

Bradford Vaughan has won three times before in Swaziland in his enduring career and after shooting a seven-under-par 65 third round of the Big Easy King’s Cup on Thursday and back in contention, he says he is feeling relaxed ahead of the final round at Royal Swazi Spa.

“Look, I have managed to win here a few times over the years so I have good vibes on this golf course,” Vaughan says. “When I drive through the border here, I get a relaxing feeling. I’m comfortable here and Swaziland has been really good to me over the years.”

He won the Royal Swazi Sun Classic here in 1999, two years later Vaughan won the Investec Royal Swazi Open and in 2004, he won his second Royal Swazi Sun Classic here. So, that calmness and relaxation showed this week as he started off with a round of 73 which would have been a little disappointing. However, he bounced back in style as he shot five-under 67 in round two, and then followed that up with the 65 he signed for on Thursday.

“I got off to a slow start this week,” he admits, “but the score has gotten better yesterday and today so I am very satisfied.” With those scores, Vaughan got in contention and he agrees it is impossible not to think back to the times he has won on this course.

He will be glad to put together such solid performances because while he can be a serious threat when he’s on form, Vaughan only has one top-10 (Big Easy Glendower) and one top-20 (Big Easy Kempton Park) in 10 events played on the Big Easy Tour circuit this season.

An eight-time winner on the Sunshine Tour, the 42-year-old Heron Banks Golf and River Estate professional will want to continue with his current form if he is to improve his standings in the Big Easy Tour’s Order of Merit where he currently lies 44^th.