Andy DevaneySamuel Simpson knows what it feels like to get close to the Telkom PGA Championship trophy without taking it home. Last year, he finished runner-up. This time, he has reached the halfway stage with a two-shot advantage and an opportunity to put that disappointment firmly behind him.
The Sunshine Tour’s current Courier Guy Order of Merit leader produced a second-round 63 at Country Club Johannesburg, moving to 16 under par after an opening three holes that would have settled most players’ nerves rather nicely.
Birdie. Birdie. Eagle.
Four under par before he had even reached the fourth tee. Not a bad way to announce your intentions.
The round put Simpson two strokes clear of Kieron van Wyk, who signed for a 66, and Louis Albertse, whose 65 kept him firmly in contention at 14 under.
Simpson Has His Sights on More Than Another Tour Victory
Already a three-time winner on the Sunshine Tour this season, Simpson arrives at the weekend with both form and momentum on his side.
There is also the small matter of the trophy itself.
The Telkom PGA Championship has a roll of honour featuring some of South African golf’s most recognisable names, including Gary Player, Ernie Els, Nick Price, Louis Oosthuizen and Dale Hayes.
Simpson now has 36 holes to add his name to that company.
“It was incredible. I started hot with a birdie-birdie-eagle so that set the tone for the day. I played pretty solid all the way to the end. I’m really looking forward to the weekend. It’s great to play in front of this crowd. There’s a long way to go. It’s not easy to win when the scores are this low, but I’ll just try and do the same I did the first two days and see what happens,” said Simpson.
It is a sensible approach. With scoring this low and several established winners within striking distance, there is little room for assuming a two-shot lead will be enough.
Kieron van Wyk Keeps His Maiden Title Hopes Alive
For Van Wyk, the weekend presents an opportunity of a different kind.
While Simpson is chasing another victory in an already successful season, Van Wyk is looking for his first Sunshine Tour title.
His second-round 66 was built as much on recovery as clean ball-striking. Van Wyk acknowledged that he had not hit the ball as well as he wanted, but his short game and putting repeatedly kept his score moving in the right direction.
That ability to recover could prove particularly useful over the remaining 36 holes.
There is a personal connection to the tournament, too. Van Wyk remembers watching Erik van Rooyen win the championship in a playoff when he was around 10 or 12 years old.
Now he has the chance to compete for the same trophy himself.
Former Champions Are Waiting for Their Opportunity
If Simpson needed reminding that the championship is far from decided, a glance at the leaderboard would do the job.
Three former Telkom PGA Championship winners remain within six strokes of his lead.
Dean Burmester sits at 13 under par, just three shots behind. Deon Germishuys is five adrift at 11 under, while George Coetzee remains in the picture at 10 under.
Their presence gives the final two rounds another dimension. Simpson and Van Wyk may have the advantage on the scoreboard, but the chasing group contains players who already know what is required to win this particular championship.
For Simpson, the equation is straightforward enough. He has given himself another opportunity to claim a title that slipped away last year.
The difference is that this time, with 36 holes remaining, everybody else is chasing him.
