Samuel Simpson carded a spectacular bogey-free nine-under-par 62 to seize the lead in Friday’s third round of the Mediclinic Invitation at the Heron Banks Golf & River Estate.
Simpson climbed to 18 under par and will take a commanding five-shot lead into Saturday’s final round.
Related: New focus gets MacLachlan lead in Mediclinic Invitational
Travis Procter impressed with a seven-under-par 64 and is in joint second place with Jaco Prinsloo (66), Keagan Thomas (68), and Austin Bautista (69) on 13 under par.
Simpson started his round with back-to-back birdies on the first and second holes followed by another birdie on the ninth. He carried that momentum into the back nine and came home in 29 with six birdies.
View this post on Instagram
“Today was really good. I definitely wasn’t pushing for the score, it’s just a result of me feeling pretty calm out there and enjoying being at the top of the leaderboard. Being on Tour for the last three or four years now, I definitely feel more comfortable in that position and am back to how I was feeling as an amateur golfer,” Simpson said.
Simpson has steadily been improving since turning professional and playing on the Sunshine Tour, and then winning the Mopani Zambian Open in June last year.
“I had a great amateur career, but I feel like I have been holding back a bit. I am now just letting it go and playing golf. The win in Zambia has really helped me getting into the bigger events and being exposed to some of the great players, and learning as much as I can along the way. This week I am just playing with a lot of freedom and the score is just a result of that,” he said.
View this post on Instagram
Heading into the final round with a five-shot lead, Simpson said he will play his own game as he hunts a second Sunshine Tour title.
“I am looking forward to it. There will be different feelings and emotions as to what I have experienced before being in the lead by that much, but the goal is to just play with freedom. I would love to extend that lead and will play how I want to play. If that puts me at the top of the leaderboard at the end of the round, then I will be happy. I will hopefully be lifting the trophy at the end.”
