Andy DevaneyThe Sunbet Challenge Time Square Casino has a clear frontrunner heading into Friday’s deciding round after Herman Loubser produced the sort of score that makes the game appear suspiciously straightforward.
His eight-under-par 62 matched the Wingate Park Country Club course record and handed him a three-shot cushion with 18 holes left to play.
There are days when a golf course seems determined to expose every weakness. Then there are afternoons like this, when the fairways appear wider than usual, the flagsticks seem almost magnetic and putts develop impeccable manners. Loubser enjoyed the latter.
His second-round masterpiece lifted him to 15 under par, matching the course record established by Thriston Lawrence and Jacques Blaauw during this tournament in 2024.
It was not built on moments of fortune or improbable recoveries. Quite the opposite. It was controlled, relentless golf, the sort that slowly drains hope from everyone else on the leaderboard.
Every part of the game clicked
Loubser’s card featured eight birdies and an eagle, but the statistic he appeared to value most came before anyone asked about the score.
“It was a great round. In fact, the first time I’ve hit all 18 greens. It’s been a goal of mine for a while now, so that’s pretty cool and was fun to do. I also putted really solid and didn’t have any three-putts or miss any short ones. I holed a couple of nice ones as well. Any time you get to shoot 62 it’s been a good day,” said Loubser.
Golfers have an odd habit of remembering the tiny details long after everyone else remembers only the number beside their name. For Loubser, finding every green mattered just as much as equalling the course record. It spoke of precision rather than fireworks.
Familiar names remain within striking distance
A three-shot lead is comfortable without being luxurious. The chasing group contains players well acquainted with winning golf tournaments.
Lawrence, already part of Wingate Park folklore through his share of the course record, fired a 65 to reach 12 under par. Daniel Conradie matched that total with a round of 67, while Travis Procter signed for a 66 to complete the trio sharing second place.
Further back, DP World Tour champion Michael Hollick begins the final round four strokes behind Loubser. That leaves little room for error but keeps him within touching distance should the leader stumble.
Winter work bearing fruit
Good rounds rarely emerge from nowhere. They tend to be assembled quietly on practice grounds long before anyone notices.
Loubser believes his recent break supplied exactly the reset he needed before returning to competition.
“I had a really nice break and did some travelling. The last four weeks I did a lot of good work and practiced quite hard. It’s nice to see that paying off now getting back into the tournaments. For the final round I will focus on each shot at a time. I have a good strategy around this golf course and will stick to that and hopefully play well again,” Loubser said.
Having earned two Sunshine Tour victories since emerging from Qualifying School in 2017, he knows that tournaments are not won on Thursday evening. Leads can evaporate remarkably quickly, often with the enthusiasm of an ice cream on a Pretoria pavement.
One more round to finish the job
Wingate Park now offers a straightforward equation. Loubser has the advantage, the confidence that accompanies a record-equalling performance and a game that appears in fine working order. His nearest challengers possess both pedigree and enough holes remaining to apply pressure from the opening tee.
The score of 62 has already earned its place alongside the course’s finest rounds. Whether it becomes the foundation of another Sunshine Tour title depends on what happens over the final 18 holes, where golf has an enduring habit of reminding everyone that yesterday’s perfection guarantees absolutely nothing.
