Loxton the surprise leader
2006-08-17 20:23
Bloemfontein - "I went onto the course today with a strong mindset that I needed to stay in the present and play every shot to the best of my ability," said Leonard Loxton, who has taken the surprise second lead on Thursday at the Origins of Golf Tour at Bloemfontein Golf Club.
The 29-year old Loxton shot an inspired four-under-par 68 to set the bar at eight-under-par 136.
Loxton holds a two-shot lead over the trio of Des Terblanche, Rossouw Loubser and Dean Lambert in second on six-under 138.
Loubser, the overnight leader, could do no better than 72, while veteran Des Terblanche signed for a disappointing 73. And former Origins winner, Lambert shot from fifth to second shooting his lucky number 69 for a second time.
The strong trio in second are a stroke ahead of five players tied for fifth, including another strong veteran, Brazil's Adilson da Silva (67), Gary Thain (69), Gerlou Roux (71) and young gun, Josh Cunliffe, who returned a 71.
"I reminded myself not to think ahead or to dwell on the holes past," said Loxton, adding that regular sessions with renowned sport psychologist, Maretha Claasen has armed him with the tools to keep a level head on the course.
Loxton is still chasing a maiden pro title since winning the 1998 Tour School and has come desperately close in the past.
But he suffers from a small case of "always a bridesmaid, never a bride".
Two years ago he led two rounds of the Zambia Open, but got pipped at the post by European Tour player, Johannesburg's Michael Kirk. In the same year, Loxton led the Bearingman Highveld Classic in his hometown, Witbank, but ended with the same result.
And last year, leading the final round of the inaugural PGA Championship at Centurion Country Club - his home course - he faltered on the final day, losing to Thomas Aiken.
"I used to be end result focussed. I looked at the on course leaderboards and worked out where I would finish, instead of playing each hole on its own merit. But it's also something you need to work at all the time. It has to become habit - that's the hard part."
Loxton put those tools to good use in a round that featured a lone birdie among eight pars on the front nine and a slew of four birdies on the back, spoiled by a single drop shot at the par-3 11th.
"I pulled my tee-shot into the bunker left of the green and had the worst stance, sort of halfway in and halfway out. I chased it past the hole and missed the return. I wasn't really worried, but it felt good to bounce back with a couple of birdies."
Bloemfontein favourite Alex Haindl doubled up on 72s and younger brother, Robert added a 74 to his opening 73 to survive the cut, set at three-over-par 147.
Among the casualties were defending champion Nic Henning and multiple Sunshine Tour winner, Bradford Vaughan, who both missed by one.
- SAPA