Stuart Smith continued his fine run of form when he finished top of the leaderboard after signing for a five-under-par 67 round three at Final Stage Qualifying School held at Randpark Golf Club.
He set a course record 63 in round two and did not relent in round three where he made two bogeys, five birdies and an eagle to take his tally to 12-under for the week. It was not a record-setting round, but it was enough to establish a one-shot lead. ‘I played well again today. I made a few putts and I pretty much tried to do what I did yesterday and walked away with a good score. I’m happy with that,’ he said.
He had a nice run on the front nine, and on his back nine, where at one point he went five-under through five, although he dropped a shot on his 16th, still managed to hold on to the lead. He had to, because lurking behind was England’s Scott Campbell (pictured), who produced the round’s lowest score with his six-under-par 66.
Campbell recorded his second flawless round, following his five-under-par 67 in round two, and looks to be another danger man in this gruelling quest for playing privileges on the Sunshine Tour. ‘I’m very happy with that round. I played solid golf like I did yesterday and no bogeys for the last two days. May it continue,’ he said.
Tied with Campbell in second spot was Herman Loubser, who signed for one-under-par 71 to total 11-under for the tournament. An indifferent showing in round three for Loubser, considering he had a two shot lead on 10-under on day two. ‘Ah… very up and down today. I hit a few silly shots out there. I played fairly decent,’ he said. ‘I had two lost balls out there and hit the hazards twice as well. So to finish off with a 71 in the end, I’m happy with that.’
Chris Lloyd shot three-under-par and amateur Luke Jerling fired a two-under-par, and both are tied at 10-under for the week sharing fourth spot. Behind them was the trio of Wynand Dingle, who shot a 69, Andre Nel with his 70 and Jaco Mouton, who also shot a 69 to tie for sixth at nine-under-par. Germany’s Michael Pfeifer and American Cody Martin are sharing the ninth spot after rounds of one-under-par 71 and three-under-par 69 respectively.
