Louis de Jager surges ahead at Origins

De Jager followed up his opening 63 with a 68 on Thursday to climb to nine-under-par and five strokes clear of his nearest challengers, Jaco Ahlers and Stuart Smith. Ahlers took advantage of the calm morning conditions to shoot a solid 65.

But De Jager is determined to capitalise on the biggest lead of his career in Friday’s final round.

“I haven’t had this kind of lead since my amateur days. I don’t even know if I’ve ever had this kind of lead to be honest. It’s new territory for me and I’m looking forward to it,” he said.

“I’m feeling very good. I’ve got a few things I’m concentrating on and that keeps my mind off all the things that usually tense me up.”

De Jager had to battle through the afternoon wind on Thursday and did so impressively, with a back nine of level par.

“It was tough out there and I’m glad to still be on top of the leaderboard. I’ve been putting really well and that’s saved me a couple of times. For the first few holes the wind wasn’t that tough so I could be quite aggressive.

“And on the back nine I just had a strategy to leave myself with the easiest next shot. Level par on the back in these conditions is pretty good.”

– Sapa