Jason Roets produced a brilliant round of 65 on day two of the Mopani Zambia Open at the Nkana Golf Club to lead fellow South African James Mack by three shots on eight under par going into the weekend.
“It’s awesome being out here in Zambia. It’s always a treat playing in Africa as it brings a different atmosphere than what we are used to. The locals really come out and support so you can feed off the energy and the vibe out here,” said Roets, who also has a top-three finish in eSwatini behind his name.
Starting his round on the 10th hole, Roets did most of his scoring in a run of four birdies in five holes over the turn. He dropped only two shots in his round.
“I am really happy with the way I played today. I hit the ball really nice which is key out here as the course can play tricky with it being so demanding. Hitting it well today took a lot of stress out of it,” Roets said.
Heading into the weekend with a three-shot lead, Roets is well placed to challenge for a maiden Sunshine Tour title come Sunday’s final round, after following a run of top-10s towards the end of last season.
“It was nice to post a good score today. I am pleased with my two days so far and excited for the weekend. The weekend is going to be a lot of fun,” he said.
Mack worked his way into contention with a round of 69, while Sunshine Tour rookie Rigardt Albertse signed for a 71 to move into third place on four under par.
Haydn Porteous, who led the first round, kept himself in contention on three under par despite a second round of 74.
SCORES
136 – Jason Roets 71 65
139 – James Mack 70 69
140 – Rigardt Albertse 69 71
141 – Wynand Dingle 72 69
141 – Stephen Ferreira 72 69, Pierre Viallaneix 69 72, Haydn Porteous 67 74
142 – Warwick Purchase 71 71
143 – Kyle Barker 71 72
143 – Martin Leon 68 75, Justin Walters 73 70, Quintin Wilsnach 75 68
144 – Benjamin Van Wyk 70 74
144 – Keagan Thomas 74 70
145 – Joe Sullivan 73 72
145 – Cole Stevens 71 74, Samuel Simpson 75 70, Jaco Prinsloo 75 70, Altin van der Merwe 75 70, Robson Chinhoi 73 72, Charl Barnard 72 73
146 – Daniel Cronje 71 75
146 – Pierre Pellegrin 74 72, Kyle McClatchie 71 75, Conner Mackenzie 72 74, Lyle Rowe 77 69, Graham van der Merwe 73 73, Jacques Blaauw 71 75
147 – Carter Rowe 72 75
147 – Tomas Gana 72 75, Toto Thimba Jnr 74 73, Tristen Strydom 78 69, Luke Brown 73 74, Rupert Kaminski 74 73, Drikus Joubert 73 74, Rhys Enoch 73 74, Astin Arthur 75 72
148 – Visitor Mapwanya 73 75
148 – Gustavo Silva 78 70, Stuart Krog 76 72, Jaden Deltel 75 73, Allen John 73 75, Rhys West 77 71, Ronald Rugumayo 75 73, Nikhil Rama 77 71, Pieter Moolman 73 75, Simon du Plooy 72 76
149 – Kyle De Beer 74 75
149 – Gabriel Morgan 75 74, Darlington Chikayambidze 75 74, Agustin Errazuriz 76 73, Stalion Daka 79 70, Dayne Moore 72 77, Stals Swart 74 75, Estiaan Conradie 70 79, Matthew Spacey 73 76, Jordan Burnand 72 77
150 – Albert Venter 74 76
150 – Ethan Smith 79 71, Brandon-Lee Geere 72 78, Bradley Kulaisi 74 76, Ryan van der Klis 78 72, Luke Jerling 77 73
Missed the cut:-
151 – Dezzie Ngandu 81 70
151 – JJ Senekal 76 75, Travis Ladner 75 76, Keegan Mclachlan 74 77, Jordan Duminy 76 75, Kian Coetzer 76 75
152 – Jacques Van der Merwe 75 77
152 – Rowan Lester 73 79, Hayden Griffiths 74 78, Keenan Davidse 76 76, Christiaan Burke 75 77, Neil Schietekat 77 75
153 – Simon Lumbwe 82 71
153 – Morton Muwowo 79 74, Carlos Bustos 78 75, Liam Grehan 77 76, Ricky Hendler 78 75, Oliver Goldhill 79 74, Adam Breen 75 78, Ruan Korb 76 77, Martin Rohwer 78 75, Benjamin Kedochim 77 76, Kian Rose 77 76, Tristin Galant 75 78
154 – Gabriel Chibale 74 80
154 – Vuyisani Makama 79 75, Matt Millar 76 78, Michael Wallace 75 79, Dominic Musonda 78 76, Michael Chuma 75 79, Paul Adam Chidale 77 77
155 – Leonard Chibwe 79 76
155 – Cosmas Mufaya 73 82
156 – Travis Procter 72 84
156 – Otto Van Buynder 77 79
157 – Tafadzwa Nyamukondiwa 83 74
157 – Njoroge Kibugu 80 77, Jacques P de Villiers 77 80
158 – Dillon Germshuys 74 84
158 – Tristan Leonard 77 81, Kelvin Chibuye 78 80
160 – Raphael Phiri 78 82
160 – Merrick Bremner 77 83, Gilbert Chalwe 75 85, Innocent Chalwe 85 75, Lwazi Gqira 77 83
161 – Aaron Simfukwe Jnr 78 83
161 – Shaunak Rama 82 79, Biggie Chibvuri 80 81, Keanu Pestana 85 76
162 – Nicholas Lavarone 79 83
162 – Denmark Mulambo 84 78, Sydney Joseph Wemba 84 78, Ntengwa Mukosa 78 84, Xander Basson 80 82, Shaydon Johnson 81 81
163 – Lyle Pedro 82 81
164 – Beza Daka 84 80
164 – Musambo Kapoma JNR 84 80, Dian Kruger 83 81
165 – Elijah Ckikando 80 85
165 – Vincent Kabaso 82 83
166 – Darren Neyt 83 83
167 – Emmanuel Chuma 78 89
167 – Humphrey Chisanga 85 82
176 – Matengele Kaira 82 94
RTD – Brandon Pieters 76 RTD
RTD – Gerhard Pepler 87 RTD
Missed the cut:-
RTD – Heinrich Bruiners RTD
Article Link: Roets shoots 65, eyes first Sunshine Tour win