TSHWANE, 17 March 2016 – A heavy downpour at Irene Country Club washed away any chance for joint overnight leaders Russel Franz and CJ du Plessis to have a rematch for the 72-hole Irene Championship title on Thursday.
The GFG Academy duo shared pole position at 12 under after round two and were still tied at the top at 15-under-par 201 after posting a pair of 69s in the third round.
Both players were eager to go head-to-head in the final round and attack the pins, but the organisers were forced to call it a day after a heavy deluge left the course too waterlogged to continue play.
“It was already raining quite heavily when we arrived at the course around 7 am,” said Du Plessis from Limpopo. “The first couple of groups teed off, but the rain intensified and they made the call before Russel and I could even hit our opening tee shots.
“We were disappointed, because we don’t often get to play a 72-hole event on the IGT Tour, but we are happy with the decision that we share the title. Call it hard luck or fate, but no-one likes to lose to something that is beyond your control after putting in the hard yards.”
The Irene Championship was the last opportunity for the Sunshine Tour campaigners to prepare for the Golden Pilsener Zimbabwe Open from 14-17 April and Zambia Sugar Open a week later.
Franz was especially pleased to be rewarded for excellent shot-making, but said he would be spending quality time with his putter over the next two weeks.
“I struck the ball beautifully and my iron-play and wedges were on song, but I struggled with the putter in the third round,” said the Tshwane professional.
“I had good pace and the stroke was fine, but I just couldn’t read a line. I missed a bunch of putts just high or low and left some in the throat.
“I’ve had some good results in the last three events and I feel confident to start up on the Sunshine Tour again. CJ and I both cut our teeth on the IGT Tour before we graduated to the Sunshine Tour and it’s always great to return to our ‘roots’. You always leave with a measure of confidence.”
Zimbabwe-born Marc Cayeux continued his comeback on the IGT Tour and the nine-time Sunshine Tour winner was both relieved and frustrated to be sent home early.
“I made it through three rounds with blisters and my legs were really sore, so I won’t lie; I was thankful when I heard the hooter, because the wet weather was tough,” said Cayeux.
“At the same time, I really would have liked to see if I could cross the finish line. I played this week to test my progress and to see if I could walk 72 holes, because I’m hoping for a sponsor’s invitation to play the Zimbabwe Open.
“I’m quite proud that I shot under par in the first two rounds and I finsied in the top 25 on Wednesday. It’s unbelievably great just to be playing again and to feel that old competitive spirit come alive.”
FINAL RESULT
All competitors RSA unless otherwise specified and amateurs are indicated as (AMA)
201 – Russel Franz 68 64 69, CJ du Plessis 66 66 69
203 – Breyten Meyer 69 66 68, Andre De Decker 67 67 69, Pieter Kruger 68 65 70
205 – Thriston Lawrence 72 66 67
206 – Matthew Spacey 70 67 69
207 – Coert Groenewald 72 69 66, David Ashley ENG 71 69 67, Mark Murless 72 66 69, Johnathan Agren SWE 70 68 69, Anton Haig 70 66 71
208 – Terence Boardman 71 70 67, Duane Keun 65 73 70, Ruan Huysamen NAM 67 70 71
209 – Paul De Beer 70 71 68, Dean O’Riley 72 69 68, Stuart Smith BOT 68 69 72, Carrie Park 69 68 72
210 – Damian Naicker 69 69 72, Derik Ferreira 64 74 72
211 – Dayne Moore ZAM 70 71 70, Conway Kunneke 69 70 72
212 – Dylan O’Leary 75 67 70, Neal Herman 72 73 67, Andi Dill 71 70 71, Marc Cayeux ZIM 67 69 76
213 – Jaco Prinsloo 70 72 71, Hilton Hughes (AMA) 73 69 71, Werner Van Niekerk 71 70 72, Teagan Moore 72 69 72, Irvin Mazibuko 72 69 72, Matthew Vogel 66 71 76
214 – Jeff Inglis ENG 72 71 71
215 – Michael Schutz (AMA) 70 74 71, Matt Wollman (AMA) ZIM 69 72 74
216 – Gideon Pienaar 71 72 73, Tyron Mc Comb 74 70 72, Teboho Sefatsa 72 70 74, Jonathan Waschefort 75 70 71, Drikus Van der Walt 70 71 75, Juan Langeveld 70 71 75, CJ Levey 73 73 70, Jacques De Villiers 76 71 69
217 – Simon Kruger 70 73 74, Eddie Taylor 69 76 72, Johary Raveloarison MDG 78 68 71, Cameron Esau 75 72 70
218 – Nyasha Muyambo ZIM 78 70 70, Jabulane Mabilane 75 73 70
219 – Louis Taylor 72 72 75, Steven Van Heerden 71 75 73, Eric Nel (AMA) 70 77 72
220 – Nobuhle Dlamini SWA 71 76 73, Bryce McCabe 78 71 71
221 – Leon Visser (AMA) 74 72 75, Matthew Adams (AMA) 72 75 74, Michael Kok (AMA) 71 79 71
223 – Quintin Crause (AMA) 71 74 78, Hendrikus Stoop (AMA) 74 72 77, Marco De Beer (AMA) 73 74 76, Tumie Motale 75 73 75, Wayne Stroebel 76 72 75
224 – Arno Pretorius (AMA) 73 74 77
225 – Armandt Scholtz 71 74 80, Alex Van Heerden (AMA) 72 75 78, Calvin Pearson 71 77 77, Norman Beggs 75 74 76, Lejan Lewthwaite 71 79 75
226 – Romano Saincic 76 73 77, Michelle Leigh 75 76 75
227 – Francesca Cuturi 75 77 75
228 – Juan Swart 68 78 82
231 – Thabang Simon 79 70 82
