Mclachlan shines on Altron tour
The Altron Big Easy Tour was formed in 2011 as a developmental tour of the Sunshine Tour and continues to attract big-name players from the professional circuit.
Keegan Mclachlan produced a dazzling four-under-par 67 in the second round of the Altron Big Easy Tour tournament at Reading Country Club, which took his overall total to nine-under-par and two shots clear of the field on July 12.
A double bogey on the par-three fifth was eclipsed by five birdies he made on a front stretch.
And while his homeward stretch was less eventful, it was solid enough to see the Silver Lakes Golf Club player assume the top position ahead of the final round.
Mclachlan said he played well because he got off to a good start.
“I made a silly double on the fifth hole but bounced back with two birdies. The main thing there for me was good ball striking, and I made a few putts from 10 feet or longer, which helped a lot. The back nine was a bit frustrating because I hit the ball similar to how I had been hitting it, but I just didn’t make any putts,” he said.
He knew there was only one par-five on the back, and he said he had to play smart to keep the big numbers off the card.
While his two-shot cushion was good enough ahead of the final round, Mclachlan will have to be at his best to ward off the challengers in the final round. Leading the chasing pack on a total of seven-under is DK Kim.
Kim fired in an untainted six-under 65 to ascend to second on the leaderboard and place within touching distance of Mclachlan’s lead.
Kim started on the back nine and made an eagle and two birdies there before making two more birdies on the front nine for a round of 65.
However, Mclachlan is not fazed and is clear on what needs to happen on Thursday.
“The aim is to play the same golf I have been playing,” he noted after his round. You just have to believe you will win and then give it your best. Golf is a funny game because today, you can shoot a low score and, then tomorrow, things change. But, I am confident, and I play to win,” he explained.
Ebotse Golf Links member Aneurin Gounden grafted to a round of 70 on July 12, which took his total for the week to six under and three shots off the pace. He is third on the leaderboard, while Paul Boshoff’s bogey-free 67 catapulted him to fourth at five-under.
The overnight leader, Rigardt Albertse, Allister de Kock, Andre de Decker and Therion Nel tied fifth on a tournament total of four under-par.
