Andy DevaneyPieter Moolman will take the lead into the weekend at the KCM Golf Challenge, sitting on 12-under par after a controlled second-round 69 at Nchanga Golf Club in Zambia — controlled, that is, in the way a man might describe wrestling a sofa down a staircase as “steady progress”.
The South African followed his opening 63 with a two-under-par round on Friday, enough to keep him in front, though not enough to give the field the common courtesy of disappearing over the horizon.
Zimbabwe’s Robson Chinhoi had other ideas entirely. He signed for a terrific nine-under-par 63 to move to 11-under, just one shot behind Moolman and very much in the sort of position that makes leaders sleep lightly.
Moolman Keeps His Nose In Front
Moolman’s second round was tidy rather than spectacular. Four birdies, one dropped shot, and a scorecard that did not require dramatic music — useful, certainly, but not quite the freewheeling stuff of his opening 63.
He knew it too.
“Today was not as good as yesterday. I felt like I didn’t hit the ball as good and as close as I did yesterday.
I hit a lot of good putts but didn’t make a lot of them. That goes hand in hand with being too far from the hole. On these greens you want to give yourself the best chance with short putts.”
That, in tournament golf, is the difference between a player who is pleased and one who is leading while quietly annoyed. Moolman remains in command, but he appears more interested in the shots he left out there than the ones safely tucked away. That is usually a decent sign.
Chinhoi Produces The Round That Changes The Weather
Chinhoi’s 63 was the round that gave the KCM Golf Challenge its weekend edge. At 11-under, he has turned this from a procession into a proper chase.
A nine-under round does not tiptoe into a leaderboard. It kicks the door in, wipes its shoes on the mat only if absolutely necessary, and asks the leader how comfortable he really feels.
For Moolman, the answer will come over the next two rounds. He has the advantage, but not the cushion. On a course offering birdie opportunities, one shot is less a lead than a polite suggestion.
A Swing Still Under Construction
Moolman’s fourth and most recent Sunshine Tour title came at the Limpopo Championship in October last year, but he has not found top gear as often as he would like since then.
“My golf swing is not fully on point where I want it to be, it is still a work in progress since last year. When I am on, I hit it extremely well, but when I’m slightly off, I feel like I don’t hit the exact shots that I want. It makes it a little bit interesting” Moolman said.
Interesting is one word for it. Golfers tend to use that sort of language when the clubface is occasionally behaving like a committee meeting. Still, there is obvious class in Moolman’s game, and even when not entirely satisfied, he has put himself exactly where contenders need to be.
Nchanga Offers Birdies, But Not For Free
Nchanga Golf Club appears to be giving players room to attack, but not permission to be careless. Moolman knows the scoring chances are there, particularly for those who can hit approaches close enough to keep the putter from becoming a philosophical instrument.
“There’s still a lot of golf over the next two rounds. This is a shortish golf course so if you attack and hit it nicely, you will have a lot of short birdie opportunities. You need short birdie putts to overpower this course, as there is a bit of forgiveness. I will play the best I think I can and try and stay aggressive. I am happy to be somewhere near the top as you always give yourself the best chance to be in the mix, so let’s see what happens.”
That is the correct attitude, because defending a slim lead on a scoreable golf course is rather like guarding a biscuit tin in a room full of Labradors. You can try to protect it, but someone is coming.
The Chasing Pack Is Too Close For Comfort
Behind Moolman and Chinhoi, the leaderboard has bunched nicely. Ethan Smith, Stals Swart, Kyle Barker and Toto Thimba Jnr form a South African quartet on 10-under par in a share of third.
Barker’s 63 was particularly eye-catching, matching Chinhoi’s fireworks and dragging him firmly into contention. Smith posted 67, while Swart and Thimba Jnr both signed for 68s, keeping themselves close enough to matter and far enough back to play with a touch of freedom.
First-round leader Oliver Goldhill and Chile’s Agustin Errazuriz sit one shot further back on nine-under, which is hardly a bad place to be with two rounds still to play.
Weekend Set Up For A Proper Scrap
The KCM Golf Challenge now has exactly what any tournament wants heading into the weekend: a recognisable leader, a dangerous pursuer, a crowded chasing pack, and a golf course that appears willing to hand out birdies to anyone brave and accurate enough to ask.
Moolman has the lead. Chinhoi has the momentum. Barker has shown what is possible. The rest are close enough to cause mischief.
In other words, Nchanga has done its job. Now the players must do theirs — preferably without asking the putter too many awkward questions.
