South African Charl Coetzee is two rounds away from a double celebration in the co-sanctioned Tshwane Open in Centurion.
Play in the second round was completed early Saturday when a thunderstorm late on Frday forced an abandonment to play leaving 54 players still to complete their rounds on the Els Club course at the Copperleaf Golf Estate.
Charl Coetzee looking for a double celebration in the Tswane Open. .Photo: Catherine Kotze/SASPA)
Coetzee, who will celebrate his 32nd birthday on Monday, had moved to the clubhouse lead on 12-under par well prior to the stoppage with a second day score of 65.
The Cape Town golfer, who enjoyed a prolific winning amateur career, is still looking for a maiden pro Tour success.
Chile’s Mark Tullo (66) and South African Tawie Der Walt (65) are in second place on 11-under par.
Former US Amateur champion, Peter Uihlein (66) heads into round three on 10-under par as he also looks to win a first pro career title after taking out the 2010 US Amateur title.
The England trio of Richard Finch (66), Danny Willett (68) and David Howell (69) are among a big group of 10 players tied in fifth place on eight under par and just four shots behind Coeztee with two rounds to play in the Euro 1.5m event.
Double Augusta winning Jose Maria Olazabal of Spain birdied his last hole in a round of 66 to make the cut at two under par.
Joining last year’s victorious European Ryder Cup captain on two under par was former British Open winner, Darren Clarke (73).
Olazabal and Clarke had both ended their rounds prior to the stoppage.
However missing the cut was fellow Major Champion, Michael Campbell along with four-time European Tour winner, Michael Hoey of Northern Ireland.
This week’s Tshwane Open is the sixth and final South African event on this year’s 2013 Race to Dubai schedule.
