Liam Grehan returned to St Francis Links for the final nine holes of round two with ground to make up if he was to earn a tee time for round three after play was suspended for lightning on Friday, and the K Club man did just enough to squeeze into the top 50 and make it three made cuts in succession.
Three birdies with two bogeys over the closing nine holes got him into the clubhouse at level-par and tied for 48th, and he returned shortly afterwards for round three where a three-under-par 69 lifted him into a share of 31st.
Four birdies in succession from the 14th – his fifth – saw him make big strides up the leaderboard, but despite adding three more birdies over his final 10 holes, four bogeys stopped him from making a push towards the top 10, but a good final round could see him produce his highest Sunshine Tour finish since the Zambia Open back in early June.
Rowan Lester also had to return to finish his second round, but it was 12 holes to forget for the Hermitage man and he missed the cut for only the third time in his last 10 starts.
Luke Jerling had a Saturday to remember and ended it with a two-shot lead on 13 under par.
Jerling was another who had to finish his second round on Saturday morning, and complete a round of 66 which earned him a share of the lead with Deon Germishuys (65) on nine-under-par.
Jerling then endured a tricky third round in which he fought hard for a 68 that included one double bogey, two bogeys and eight birdies to take the sole lead.
Germishuys and Joe Long are his nearest challengers on 11 under par.
But Jerling is extremely experienced and familiar with what St Francis Links can throw at a golfer, having played enough golf here over the years.
“It was a good day overall despite the double bogey and a few bogeys. I thought I bounced back quite nicely from those mishaps. The conditions were tricky and it was probably like a two- to three-club wind. But it’s nothing that I’m not used to around this place having grown up in Gqeberha.
“This place is close to my heart and I’ve played a lot here and won a few amateur titles here, so I’m experienced on this course. I’m using that and playing smart. I’m very excited for the final round. This golf course, depending on which way the wind is blowing, your gameplan picks itself. Overall I’m very happy. It’s a huge privilege to go out there and try and win the Fitch & Leedes PGA Championship,” said Jerling.
FULL SCORING
