Hollick Takes Narrow Lead At SunBet Challenge After Strong Second Round
Wild Coast, Eastern Cape – Michael Hollick surged into the lead at the SunBet Challenge hosted by Wild Coast Sun on Thursday, firing a superb five-under-par 65 to move to nine under par overall. He now holds a slender one-shot advantage heading into the third round.
Hollick, who recently lifted the FNB Eswatini Challenge, carried his momentum into this event with another composed display. He rolled in four birdies on the front nine while dropping a single shot on the par-four second. The back nine saw more solid golf as he added three birdies, though two bogeys – both from going long on slick greens – checked his progress.
“It was another good day on the golf course,” Hollick reflected. “Yesterday was a really good round considering the tough conditions we had since early morning. Today I was able to manage my game, hit the ball into good places, and I’m putting nicely this week. I just had two unfortunate bogeys where I overshot the greens, which are very quick downhill. Being over the green is not what you are looking for.”
Despite those blemishes, Hollick’s consistency has him in prime position to chase a third Sunshine Tour title this year.
“Tomorrow we will play the same game, tactically nothing will change. Hopefully it will be good enough to win the tournament,” he added.
Chasing pack
First-round leaders Jacques P de Villiers and England’s Joe Knox, who both opened with sizzling 63s, signed for 69s on Thursday to slip one shot behind Hollick on eight under par.
Albert Venter (68) and Lyle Rowe (65) are just a further shot back at seven under, ensuring a tightly packed leaderboard as the tournament heads into the business end.
Other notable movers include Samuel Simpson (66-68) and Australia’s Austin Bautista (69-65), who sit two strokes adrift on six under par, while amateur star Kyle de Beer impressed with a 64 to climb into contention at five under.
Scores (Top of the leaderboard)
- 131 – Michael Hollick (66, 65)
- 132 – Jacques P de Villiers (63, 69), Joe Knox (63, 69)
- 133 – Albert Venter (65, 68), Lyle Rowe (68, 65)
- 134 – Samuel Simpson (66, 68), Austin Bautista (69, 65)
- 135 – Kyle De Beer (71, 64)
- 136 – Trevor Fisher Jnr (69, 67), Anthony Michael (68, 68), Herman Loubser (67, 69)
With a packed chasing group and conditions expected to stay challenging at the coastal venue, fans can expect an exciting battle over the final rounds as Hollick aims to convert his lead into another Sunshine Tour victory.