Lipsky takes control
‘AFTER MY VISIT HERE, I NOW KNOW WHAT ALL THE FUSS IS ABOUT’
American David Lipsky has conquered Asia and now he’s breaking new ground in South Africa as he soared to the top of the leaderboard in the Alfred Dunhill Championship at Leopard Creek yesterday, shooting a second-round 66 that gave him the lead from early in the day.
The 2014 Asian Tour order of merit winner played in the 2016 and 2017 Nedbank Golf Challenge, but this is his first visit to Leopard Creek and he said he now knows what all the fuss is about.
“I’ve never been here although I did play the SA Open as well, but I’ve always wanted to come here, I’ve heard great things from almost every player. And it’s turned out to be a great week so far and I’ve just enjoyed the scenery,” Lipsky said after his round.
He started on the 10th hole and a birdie on the 11th was supplemented by an eagle on the par-five 13th and another shot picked up on the par-three 16th. Lipsky completed a remarkable bogey-free round with seven pars and two birdies.
“I played really well. I actually didn’t hit it that great today, but my putting and chipping were amazing. I got the job done and tied it up nicely, and I’m looking forward to the weekend,” Lipsky said before he jumped on a gamedrive vehicle and headed off into Kruger National Park, where he was able to enjoy the classic sighting of a leopard in a tree.
Lipsky’s short game sometimes undermines his ball-striking ability, but the 30-year-old of Jewish/Korean heritage has also been working hard on getting greater length off the tee.
“My distance off the tee has improved, it’s a combination of things, the strength coach I have been working with and a new swing coach as well. I’ve been really re-tuning my game and it looks like it’s paying off.
“Tomorrow, I do the same things I’ve been doing all week and try not to change things up. I’ll take the eight-under for the weekend. But now I’m getting some rest, it was a pretty early wake-up call this morning so I’m looking forward to getting back into the bed. I’m going to do a safari later and straight to bed after that,” Lipsky said.