Hugo remains in command

2008-05-09 19:03

Mbabane - There are still 18 holes to go in the battle for supremacy at the Royal Swazi Sun Open, but overnight leader Jean Hugo moved even closer to nailing his sixth Sunshine Tour title on Friday.

The Stellenbosch pro, who charged to a menacing 15-point lead on Thursday, remained cool in the steamy conditions to put one hand on the trophy at the sun-baked Royal Swazi Sun Country Club layout.

Hugo produced a superb five-under-par 67, worth 13 points under the Modified Stableford format that rewards players with two points for a birdie, five for an eagle, eight for an albatross and deducts one for a bogey and two for a double bogey or worse.

Schietekat is prime opponent

With a 55-point aggregate, Hugo is undoubtedly in control, but he expects his 14-point lead to come under fire.

"With this format, anything can happen tomorrow (on Saturday)," said Hugo, who chalked up five birdies and an eagle offset by two bogeys.

"There are a lot of birdie and eagle opportunities, but you have to keep the bogeys off to build up points. I did okay today (on Friday), but the bogeys at six and 16 cost me valuable points."

In-form Neil Schietekat, who came dangerously close to tying up his maiden title at the Vodacom Origins of Golf Tour Gauteng, is Hugo's prime opponent.

The 24-year old Kwazulu Natal pro sounded an ominous warning when he launched to second on the leaderboard with a round of 65.

Could exert pressure

His round, worth 20 points, included the three eagles worth 15 points, although his efforts were dealt a blow with two dropped shots and a double bogey. If Schietekat can limit the mistakes on Saturday and keep the putter hot, he could exert some significant pressure on the leader.

First round leader Desvonde Botes, hunting his 15th Sunshine Tour title, moved back into the title frame with a one-bogey 66 that left him in third on 39 points, while Peter Karmis - a winner in Swaziland at the 2007 Lombard Insurance Classic - also joined the battle.

- SAPA