Young star Premall catches the eye
GLENDOWER’S Yurav Premlall was among the leaders in the first staging of the Nedbank Junior Challenge when he fired an opening four-under-par 68 in an impressive start at the testing Gary Player Country Club in Sun City on Monday.
On a day when only three golfers posted under-par rounds, the 17-year-old opened up a two-shot lead with a perfect start and finish to his opening salvo.
Fellow GolfRSA National Squad members Nash de Klerk and Jordan Duminy tied for second on two-under, while South African Golf Development Board (SAGDB) rising star Thami Ngobeni joined reigning SA Amateur champion and the GolfRSA No 1-ranked junior Christiaan Maas in fourth on level par.
Premlall showed why he is touted as a future star when he blasted out of the blocks with a trio of birdies. But his flawless exhibition was interrupted by a solitary bogey on the challenging par-four 18th hole, where 40 Nedbank Golf Challenge champions have lifted the iconic crystal trophy.
Said Premlall, the 2021 Pro Shop Northern Amateur winner: “I got off to the fast start with three birdies in a row. I drove it far down the right on the 10th, but I had a decent lie in the rough. I hit a 2-iron just short of the green and made a good up-and-down birdie.”
The GolfRSA No 3 Junior stayed ahead of the chasing pack with six successive pars and sealed his position at the summit with a closing birdie at the picturesque par-five 9th.
“On the last hole, I was way right off the tee, so I punched out and left myself 120m in. I didn’t want to take on that pin, so I aimed right of the flag and the shot came off nicely. And I holed a 20 foot putt to finish with birdie.”
Premlall said that although the outward loop seemed impressive, he was very pleased with his game on his back nine.
“I didn’t really have a golf swing for the first nine holes, but just managed my game with some good up-and-downs and a couple of good breaks, if I’m very honest,” he said.
“On the back nine I started finding my swing and hit the ball really solid.
“I had nine holes of bogey-free golf, which is really tough to do around this course, so I’m pleased with that result.
“The course is a little shorter than when we played the SA Open here last December. The greens are a little slower too and I am still adjusting to that pace, but hopefully I’ll have the measure of them.” |