Local golfer tops leaderboard

Modderfontein golfer, Callum Mowat, is placed to claim his first IGT Challenge Pro Tour victory after moving two shots clear of the field in the second round.

The second round event was held on October 8 at the ERPM Golf Club.

The 22-year-old amateur shot a second straight three-under-par 69 to top a crowded leader board at the fifth Race to Q-School event.

After sharing the first round lead, Callum now stands ahead of two professionals, Roberto Lupini and joint overnight leader, JC van Dommelen who returned rounds of 67 and 71 respectively.

Callum, sixth in the country’s amateur rankings, took part in the Race to Q-School series and has posted top five finishes in three of his four starts.

He has been in this position before but faded from contention and so Callum is taking nothing for granted.

“A couple of times in my amateur career, I have become distracted,” said Callum.

“Since winning the Southern Cape Open in August, I have come to realise that you cannot do that. You have to focus on the present, not the possible outcome,” he said.

After a shaky start with a bogey at the 11th and a birdie at the 12th holes, Callum kept any losses off his card and turned with an even 36.

“With nine to play, I just wanted to make birdies at the two par-fives, make par on the rest and eliminate the mistakes for a 70,” he said.

“That would still put me in a good position for the final round,” he added.

Sticking to the game plan, Callum birdied the par-five second and fourth and was rewarded for his patience when he hit it stiff at the par-four eighth and stroked in the birdie putt to finish three under.

“I still felt like I left a few out there, but at the same time, I stayed patient and executed what I planned,” he said.

“I hope I can replicate this formula in the final round, whatever the outcome,” said Callum.

Closing out for a win would be first prize, but Callum said a victory would be a pure bonus.

“I am not out here playing for money or titles. I am playing the Race to Q-School to achieve a level of consistency because that has been a huge problem with my game. I am trying to finish in the top five every time I tee it up, purely because that is what I am going to need if I hope to earn a card at the Sunshine Tour Q-School. You have to be able to trust that you can produce consistent results before you even consider turning pro. So far, so good, though,” said Callum.

The cut was set at 12-over-par 156, leaving 54 players to contest the final round.