Scot Connor Syme is looking to make it a third time lucky heading into the final round of the Jonsson Workwear Open in Joburg.
Syme, 28, jumped into the overtaking on golf’s traditional ‘moving day’ posting a bogey-free six-under 66 with the effort taking him to 15-under and four shots off the lead.
Former Italian teenage sensation Matteo Manassero benefitted from an hour’s lightning delay, and with just two holes to play, as he returned to birdie 17 in a score of 67 and lead by a shot at 20-under on the Glendower course. It’s been over 10-years since the now 30-year old’s last victory.
Connor Syme heading into the last round of the Jonsson Workwear Open looking to make it a first Tour win in his third event running in Kenya and South Africa. Image DPWT
South African Shaun Norris had just eagled the 17th to move one clear of the field when play halted, but returned to bogey the last in a seven-under 65, and is tied second with England’s Matthew Jordan at 19-under
Syme’s round was a pretty steady affair, grabbing two outward birdies then as he’s done all week making his move over the outward half on the parkland style layout.
He grabbed birdies at 10 and 11, as well as 16, and then for a third day he birdied the par-5, 17th, and also avoided the lightning stoppage.
Syme said: “Yes, pleased with that round and nice to have a clean card today.
“I have really enjoyed myself here in South Africa and also Kenya, so it would be nice to finish off the visit on a high note.
“This is a golf course, as the scoring shows, where you have to make a lot of birdies. I’ve managed to do that this week while I’ve had a good few par saves including that one on 12, so that has kept the momentum going.
“Each of the three courses I’ve played these three weeks have been a different challenge, so with a round to go in this last event I’m again in a handy spot.
“So the goal tomorrow is make as many more birdies as I can”.
Syme arrived in the north-eastern suburbs of the South African capital after seeing his opportunity of a maiden Tour title spoiled by two poor last day scores in the past two events.
The Fifer was two off the lead teeing-up on day four of the Magical Kenya Open but ended four back in a share of seventh with close friend Ewen Ferguson.
At last week’s SDC Championship on the Eastern Cape the Scot was tied for the third-round lead but sadly signed for a 75 and a share of fourth.
Now in the Scot’s 149th Tour start, and run of seven DP World Tour events in the past nine week’s nothing would please him more than returning home with that long overdue first trophy in his luggage.
Ferguson posted a round of 69 to be three adrift of Syme on 12-under.
