The Telkom PGA Championship is renowned for some low scoring, and Saturday at Country Club Johannesburg was no exception.
Related: Simpson hungry for a piece of Telkom PGA Championship history
Louis Albertse climbed into the lead on 23 under par with a third round of 63. This is the best tournament score under par since George Coetzee won with 27 under par in 2011, and there’s still one more round to go. The tournament record is Louis Oosthuizen’s 28 under par in 2008.
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Starting the day two shots behind the overnight leader Samuel Simpson, Albertse was on fire with his putter as he made six birdies in eight holes from the third, and then closed off his round with three birdies in his final four holes.
He finished the round three shots clear of his nearest challenger, Simpson, who posted a 68. Playing together, Simpson was in awe of the golf played by Albertse.
“Louis played some incredible golf. Just so solid and his putting is incredible, so well done to him. It’s a big day tomorrow,” he said.
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Simpson didn’t have his best game on Saturday but still produced some quality golf to keep him in the hunt for this title in a season where he’s stood out with his three wins already.
“I’m really proud of the way I fought even with not my best. To finish with three birdies in a row, and a couple of par saves. Finishing second in last year’s tournament, I would love to get my hands on the trophy,” he said.
“I think the reason my average golf is getting better, is that I am just really enjoying the good and the bad of everything, as it is almost impossible to be perfect. So, I understand that a day like today where I am not on, I am still enjoying the grind. I am looking forward to tomorrow, so we’ll see what happens. I’m going to get a good, nice rest and chase down the trophy.”
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Simpson’s performance this week caught the eye of Dean Burmester, who had high praise for the 24-year-old after playing with him earlier in the tournament.
“It’s so good to see a kid with that much talent, to be able to bomb it like that and hit it straight is impressive. He really impressed me and is a generational talent for sure,” Burmester said.
The recent Rwanda Open champion, Kyle de Beer, made a late charge with birdies on the closing two holes to sign for a round of 65 to move into third place overall on 19 under par.
“Today I had a really nice group with Dean (Burmester) and Deon (Germishuys), and that relaxed atmosphere helped me to also play some good golf. Coming off the Rwanda win, there is definitely no fear going into tomorrow. Playing with Louis (Albertse) and Samuel (Simpson) tomorrow, I know I’ll have to be on top form,” De Beer said.
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And Burmester, at just five shots off the lead, is equally excited about a final round where he has the chance to add to his 2021 triumph in this event.
“It was nice to finish with a birdie. It keeps me in the hunt, and I know I’m going to have to shoot a low round. But 10 under is out there, so why not me. Well go hunting tomorrow.”
