Staff WriterKristoffer Reitan has turned the Nedbank Golf Challenge into something of a personal showcase, and by the looks of it, he’s not finished yet. The Norwegian will march into Sunday with a five-shot cushion after a third-round 67 that mixed brilliance with a late sting in the tail. Even so, he remains firmly in control at 17-under and poised for his second win of the year.
Sun City didn’t make it easy. The Nedbank Golf Challenge was battered by thunder, lightning, and a lengthy suspension, yet Reitan handled it with all the composure of a man staring down the weekend with purpose.
The 27-year-old came into the day holding a single-shot lead. By the ninth, after a birdie-eagle burst, he was four clear. Then came the fireworks: four birdies in five holes to start the back nine, his putter purring, his confidence unmistakable. He reached 19-under, the field in his rear-view mirror, before the hooter dragged everyone back to reality and forced a wait of more than two hours.
Once play resumed, he steadied himself with tidy pars at 16 and 17. But the 18th—always lurking, always smug—caught him with a punch to the ribs. A messy second shot found the penalty area, and a double bogey halted what had been a near-flawless charge.
Reitan didn’t hide his frustration: “I’m very disappointed with the finish on the 18th, but I guess a good double in the end. It’s just clear evidence that if you don’t hit it in the right spots, then you can get severely punished.”
Still, he knew the bigger picture was solid. “But overall, good today. I think I got out of some tricky situations – I did that well… with the score today, I’m happy.”
He even admitted the day felt like a blur: “My putter was rolling nicely as well… it’s a long time since we teed off, but yeah, a lot of good stuff today.”
And he’s embracing the challenge ahead: “I look forward to waking up in the morning and starting the day off fresh… I’m looking forward to that and hope to deal with it in a decent manner.”
Schaper Leads the Chase
If anyone is close enough to breathe down Reitan’s neck, it’s home favourite Jayden Schaper. The South African surged to 12-under with a 66 that had the local crowd roaring every chance they got.
For Schaper, this one meant something: “You grow up watching this event and it’s so cool coming here… to have the day I had out there, see my family, friends, and just, yeah, just such a cool experience.”
Playing in front of familiar faces lit a spark: “It’s not every day I get to play in front of so much of my family… it means a little bit more to see them go nuts and celebrate some putts.”
He knows exactly what he’s up against, though: “Kristoffer’s having a great tournament out there… Not every day you get to play an event like this at home. It’s just so cool.”
Behind him sit Christiaan Bezuidenhout and England’s Dan Bradbury at 10-under, both lurking with enough pedigree to cause trouble if Reitan wobbles again.
One Round Left, Everything Still on the Table
Reitan may have looked unstoppable for most of the day, but no lead is safe in this part of the world—not with the course snarling late and the weather eager to join the chaos.
He’s the man to beat, no question. But it’s Sun City. It’s the final round. It’s the Nedbank Golf Challenge. Tradition says nothing comes easy here.
Reitan’s got the advantage. The rest have the chase.
Tomorrow, they settle it.
