Former English Amateur champion Joe Sullivan came close to an historic 59 in the inaugural Rwanda Open as he surged into the lead of this Sunshine Tour event on Friday.
Related: Travis Procter, Nikhil Rama lead chase for glory in Rwanda
Sullivan claimed the lead with a magnificent round of 12-under-par 60 at the Kigali Golf Resort and Villas, lifting him to 15 under par overall and one shot clear of Estiaan Conradie. Conradie moved into contention with his round of 64.
First-round co-leader Travis Procter and Kyle de Beer head into the weekend in joint third place on 13 under par.
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Sullivan’s bogey-free round of 60 was a stunning mix of his powerful long game combined with a short game that was equally impressive as he made two eagles and eight birdies.
“I made eagle on the ninth hole to turn in six under and then went on a nice little run from the 10th hole to the 12th hole. I was thinking about a 59 in the back of my head and we got close. The chip-in on the ninth hole for eagle was the highlight of the round as that just boosted my momentum,” Sullivan said.
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After winning the 2025 Big Easy Tour’s Order of Merit, Sullivan is in his rookie season on the Sunshine Tour and says this round was exactly what he needed.
“It gives me a lot of confidence. I think I have a lot of potential but I haven’t quite played up to it so far this season. It’s been a bit of a slow start for me, but I am enjoying every week as it comes and I know I am going forward from here.”
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And he’s certainly enjoying being in the Land of a Thousand Hills for the first time.
“It’s a lovely golf course, and being in Rwanda for the first time I am very impressed. I am very happy to be in contention, but there is still a lot of golf left so I need to stay patient the next couple of days. I am however very happy with my performance the last two days and I will keep pushing.”
