Slabbert leads SA Disabled Open
Daniel Slabbert has already changed the way people view disabled golf, and he’s about to do so even further. The young golfer from Kathu in the Northern Cape will take a staggering 11-stroke lead into Wednesday’s final round of the Nedbank SA Disabled Open at the Langebaan Country Estate.
After starting Tuesday’s second round tied for the lead, Slabbert surged ahead with a round of two-under-par 70 off his two handicap.
It lifted him to a total of 147, with De Jager his nearest challenger on 158 following his round of 81 off his 10 handicap.
It’s virtually assured that Slabbert will defend the title he won here last year, and with it continue to transform a sport which he came to through a freak trampoline accident as a child.
Slabbert was jumping on a trampoline on his parents’ farm and was catapulted through a window, resulting in the amputation of his left leg.
But he retained his love for golf and made his breakthrough when he won his first SA Open here last year. Now the double awaits.
“We’ll see what happens on the final day,” Slabbert said. “It’s harder to retain a title than to win it for the first time, so I’d love to be able to defend.”
Slabbert started well with birdies at his first two holes, and went on to record three birdies and three bogeys for a round he felt he was due.
“After my first round of 77 I felt my game was good enough to shoot under par on this course. I putted well and my approaches were also very good.”
The battle is certainly on for second place. De Jager’s 81 has given him the edge here, but he’s only one clear of the big-hitting Reinard Schuhknecht who produced a solid 77.
Iglin Grobbelaar is 18 strokes back following an 83.
LEADING SCORES
147 Daniel Slabbert 77 70
158 Christo de Jager 77 81
159 Reinard Schuhknecht 82 77
163 Morne Cronje 87 76
165 Iglin Grobbelaar 82 83
168 Chris Wood 85 83
170 Andrew Boltman 86 84, Robin Singh 85 85
171 Trevor Reich 88 83
172 Greg Esterhuizen 89 83
173 Danie Jordaan 87 86
174 Rupert Fortman 89 85
