Hugo masters the conditions to open five-shot lead

JEAN Hugo’s experience came to the fore in the weather-affected second round of the Sun Wild Coast Sun Challenge when he carded an impressive five-under-par 65 yesterday, backing up his opening 60 to total 15-under-par in Port Edward.

Taking a one-shot lead into the second round, and teeing off from the first tee in round two, Hugo went straight into it, making two birdies in his first three holes.

It didn’t end there because he made further gains when he picked up another birdie on the par-five seventh hole to turn without dropping a short.

Two pars followed before he made another birdie on the 12th hole.

Three holes later, the 18-time Sunshine Tour winner made another birdie on the par-five 16th which was followed by his first bogey in this tournament at the 17th hole before closing with a birdie.

“Today was much tougher, you know,” he said.

“From the start there was heavy wind, slightly different to yesterday. Today I had an indifferent start but I kept going.

“I saw there were some scores to be made out there, some guys did post a number. So, it was tough but I played maybe not as well as yesterday, but it was close. So, I think I’ve done well.”

With the wind and rain threatening to derail an unfocused golfer, Hugo had to rely on years of experience to post another brilliant round as he looks for his first win in four years.

“In this weather, you kind of wait for the right holes to attack and there weren’t that many today.

“At the end, at least, the wind died down and you could go for different lines. (Holes) 16 and 12 were always going to be tough. Getting to those holes, and you feel like you’re playing well, you can attack and if not, you just go middle of the green, I think, and get out of there with a par.”

Of his only bogey in the tournament so far, Hugo said: “I was a bit greedy on 17 after the birdie I made on 16.”

Five shots behind Hugo was Ruan de Smidt, who regained his Tour card via Qualifying School back in March.

He signed for a perfect five-under 65 to get to 10-under, and in weather conditions such as this week’s, within reach of Hugo’s lead.

De Smidt made three birdies on the front nine and a solitary eagle when coming home.

“It’s been a little scrappy, the way I’ve been hitting it in the last two days,” De Smidt admitted.

“But I’m putting really nicely and not making too many mistakes, which is also nice. Since I started with the armlock putter five months ago, it’s definitely changed my game.

“I’m also hitting the driver well, which makes it a little easier.”

Jaco Ahlers was in third position at eight-under, while Luke Jerling was a further eight shots behind Hugo. Ruan Conradie and Chris Cannon shared fifth place on sixunder ,and at five-under in a share of seventh were Estiaan Conradie, the returning Hennie du Plessis, who was runner-up last year, rookie Clinton Grobler, Jaco Prinsloo and Zambia’s Dayne Moore.

| Sunshine Tour