Staff WriterMichael Hollick’s second round at the FNB Eswatini Challenge wasn’t so much golf as it was a masterclass in controlled fireworks. The South African signed for a blistering eight-under-par 64 on Friday, vaulting him to 12-under overall and into pole position heading into Saturday’s final showdown.
Hollick, who closed out the 2024/2025 Sunshine Tour season with his third career win, stitched together a scorecard that read like a highlight reel: two eagles, six birdies, and just a couple of blemishes for dramatic effect.
“Today was very solid. I drove the ball well and it gave me a lot of opportunities, especially on the par-fives. Tomorrow will be same story – trying to get the ball in the fairway.
You can’t really overpower this golf course. It requires a lot of tactics. We will be making some small adjustments, but will be going guns blazing again tomorrow,” Hollick said, sounding equal parts tactician and gunslinger.
Just one shot adrift at 11-under are two men who look more than capable of spoiling Hollick’s party – South Africa’s Pieter Moolman, fresh off a tidy 67, and Germany’s Allen John, who carved out a smooth 66.
Moolman, with three Sunshine Tour titles already in the bank, is eyeing up a fourth with all the patience of a cat watching a mousehole.
“I’m very happy with the second round. It felt very similar to the first round – very clean with small mistakes here and there, but that is part of golf. My game is still a bit rusty after the long time we had off,” Moolman admitted.
His game plan for the final day? Stay sharp, swing free, and hope the scoreboard smiles back.
“My strategy for the final round is to just stay in the moment and give myself opportunities. Hopefully it’s enough to take my fourth win,” he said.
Meanwhile, Jake Redman came charging into contention with the subtlety of a sledgehammer, carding a sensational nine-under-par 63 to reach 10-under. He’s now just two shots behind Hollick and has all the momentum heading into Saturday.
With the FNB Eswatini Challenge poised for a Sunday scrap, the stage is set for a finish that could range from nail-biter to downright chaotic – just the way golf fans like it.
