George Coetzee recovered from an early wobble to move within a few holes of a history-making win at the Tshwane Open on Sunday, writes WADE PRETORIUS.
No player has won the Tshwane Open on multiple occasions and that trend looked likely to continue after Coetzee stumbled out of the blocks at Pretoria Country Club.
The home favourite and overnight leader somehow found himself chasing Mikko Korhonen’s two-shot lead, the same tally he began the day with.
A member at the host course, Coetzee made two early bogeys before going on what should be a championship-winning run as he birdied five of his next eight holes to lead Korhonen by three.
The champagne was on ice but it was no closer to being sprayed over Coetzee as thunder and lightning rolled in and forced the suspension of play.
Coetzee, who needed just 10 putts in that birdie blitz, will resume play on the 16th tee box as he looks to add the finishing touches to what is sure to be his fourth European Tour title.
Earlier, Daniel van Tonder fired a 65 to set the clubhouse target at 14 under and was one clear of Chilean Felipe Aguilar and Frenchman Sébastien Gros and Sam Horsfield.
The round of the day belonged to Spain’s Pedro Oriol, who lit up the course and finished with an eagle for a 62, one stroke better than Toto Thimba’s final round effort.
Photo: Getty Images
