Tom McKibbin was doubly pleased not only posting a sizzling inward score of 29 but to also be in the comfort of the clubhouse on the second day of a wind-delayed SDC Championship at Eastern Cape in South Africa.
Strong winds coming in off the close-by Indian Ocean buffeted the host St. Francis course forcing officials to halt play early afternoon in the inaugural Sunshine and DP World Tour event.
However with no let-up, play was eventually called close to 5pm local time, leaving half the field of 154 to complete their second round at 7am local time Saturday.
Tom McKibbin shoots an inward nine of 29 to make a big move on a wind-affected second day at the SDC Championship (Photo – #SDCChamionship_
McKibbin was out in the morning half of the draw, brilliantly storming up the board with a round capped by snatching an eagle ‘3’ at the par-5 13th and where he brilliantly made amends after posting a double-bogey at the same hole on day one.
The Galgorm Castle attached player was level par after his opening nine before also grabbing five back-9 birdies, including birdies at his closing two holes in a score of 65 for a 36-hole, three-under tally.
McKibbin’s score was 11 shots fewer than his opening 76 and a second best in 32 rounds and 11 events in his rookie season, with an opening 64 at last month’s Singapore Classic his lowest.
“Definitely a different day as yesterday was kind of crazy, just wasn’t really golf or fun anymore after yesterday, so I knew today I had to go out and shoot a couple under because the conditions were a lot easier,” said McKibbin.
“I went out on the front nine and shot a pretty boring even par outward nine, though I hit the ball quite nicely and then I turned it on around the back nine.
“It wasn’t all flat calm out there while you have to keep the ball flight down and things like that. I just kept trying to hit golf shots and not hit the ball in the air too much, try to keep it in front of me and limit the curve and that was the difference.
“I don’t know what the weather is meant to be like over the weekend, but there are scores to be had out there, so it would be nice if it blew more over the weekend. Let that happen!”
Frenchman Julien Brun enjoyed the clubhouse lead, signing for a 67 to lead by a shot at eight-under.
FOOTNOTE ..
According to DP World Tour Senior Referee Kevin Feeney, the severe wind gusts forced the suspension of play at just before 14:00. It was later decided at 16:15 to call off play altogether and resume at 7am on Friday.
“We had gusts of up to 65 kilometres per hour on the back nine and up to 70 kilometres per hour on the front nine. We’ve just been very unlucky in what is a fabulous spot. We’ll restart on Friday morning, in position, at 7am.”
