Staff WriterJean-Paul Strydom rolled back the clock—and the field—at the Sunbet Challenge hosted by Time Square at Wingate Park Country Club, firing a six-under-par 66 on Thursday to snatch a two-shot lead heading into the final day.
It was a round that had everything short of pyrotechnics: one eagle, six birdies, and two bogeys. The 12-under total? His best in years.
“It started a bit shaky off the tee,” Strydom admitted, “but I managed to find a bit of rhythm.” And rhythm he found, turning a stutter into a symphony as he looks to close out his first professional win since 2019.
“Hopefully we can just copy and paste what we have been doing over the last two days. I’ve been in this position a couple of times and only brought it home once, so a second title would mean a lot to me.”
Trailing him at 10-under are South Africans Gerhard Pepler and James Mack, alongside Australia’s Austin Bautista, all hoping to spoil the party on Friday. Looming just behind is George Coetzee—the DP World Tour stalwart and five-time European Tour winner—three shots adrift and more than capable of making up ground if the leaders blink.
Strydom’s second round had its hiccups. A bogey at the par-three eighth briefly dented the momentum, but he responded with a birdie at the ninth—his final hole of the day—proving he’s not just scoring, but also scrapping.
“Today was good,” he said. “I made a soft bogey on my 17th hole, but I bounced back with a birdie on my final hole which is always nice.”
The Sunbet Challenge has been a proving ground for many, but for Strydom, who’s battled through injuries and long spells in the golfing wilderness, this week represents more than just a leaderboard climb. It’s a shot at redemption. A second title would not only silence the critics but also validate years of graft, rehab, and self-belief.
“The gameplan is literally to find the fairways and make the putts,” he said. “That is the key at Wingate. But I’m looking forward to the final round.”
And so are we. With Strydom at the helm, a snarling Coetzee on the prowl, and a chasing pack primed to pounce, the Sunbet Challenge finale promises a back-nine brawl worth every shot.
