Shaun Norris battled through the pain of an ear infection and still managed to lead the Joburg Open heading into the weekend at Houghton Golf Club. MICHAEL VLISMAS reports.
The South African produced a strong 63 on Friday to lead on 11 under par overall, with Frenchman Adrien Saddier his nearest challenger on 10 under after a 65 in which he dropped at the last to sacrifice a share of the lead.
Norris has played sublime golf over the past two days despite the fact that he has been in pain with an ear infection that refuses to clear, and which has even made it difficult for him to sleep.
“I picked it up on Tuesday afternoon. I saw the doctor on Wednesday. They tried to flush it out and it didn’t work. They put me on antibiotics. It’s frustrating. I can’t hear anything out of my left ear.
“But somehow it’s not bothering me on the golf course. I think as golfers, when we’re over the shot we’re focused on nothing else.
“But it is annoying in between shots because I just can’t hear anything out of that ear,” said Norris, who admits he was concerned about the impact an ear infection would have on his balance and his golf swing.
“That was my main concern, but fortunately it hasn’t hindered me at all.”
It certainly didn’t trouble Norris on Friday as he went bogey free around this par-70 Houghton Golf Club layout.
“The course is in fantastic condition considering the rain we’ve had over the last few days, and I’m really enjoying it.”
Norris heads into the weekend hunting his third DP World Tour title, and his second in just under three months after winning December’s Alfred Dunhill Championship.
India’s Shubhankar Sharma, the winner of the 2017 Joburg Open, and Scotland’s Connor Syme are currently third on nine under par.
Sharma in particular is looking forward to a weekend at a tournament that holds special memories for him.
“Coming back to South Africa is always special, and the Joburg Open was my first win and which got me onto the DP World Tour,” he said. “I still fondly remember my win here. It was life changing.”
Photo: Sunshine Tour
