At the Joburg Open, Shaun Norris has shown us that a pesky ear infection is no match for a determined spirit.
Battling discomfort that would have sidelined lesser mortals, Norris fired a stunning 63 on Friday at Houghton Golf Club to carve out an impressive 11-under-par lead.
Frenchman Adrien Saddier, with his own commendable 65, now finds himself in hot pursuit at 10 under after a slight stumble on the closing holes.
Norris’s performance over the past two days has been as inspirational as it is defiant.
Despite an ear infection that has robbed him of sleep and threatened to disrupt both his balance and his swing, he remained focused on his game.
Reflecting on his condition, he explained, “I picked it up on Tuesday afternoon. I saw the doctor on Wednesday.
They tried to flush it out and it didn’t work. They put me on antibiotics. It’s frustrating. I can’t hear anything out of my left ear. But somehow it’s not bothering me on the golf course.
I think as golfers, when we’re over the shot we’re focused on nothing else. But it is annoying in between shots because I just can’t hear anything out of that ear,” said Norris.
He added, “That was my main concern, but fortunately it hasn’t hindered me at all.”
Norris’s steely resolve was evident as he went bogey-free around the par-70 layout.
“The course is in fantastic condition considering the rain we’ve had over the last few days, and I’m really enjoying it,” he remarked, a sentiment that captures the spirit of a day well played even in less-than-ideal conditions.
Heading into the weekend, Norris is not only defending his lead but is also chasing his third DP World Tour title – his second in under three months following his victory at December’s Alfred Dunhill Championship.
Joining him in the hunt, India’s Shubhankar Sharma, the 2017 Joburg Open champion, along with Scotland’s Connor Syme, are currently posting a solid nine under par.
For Sharma, the tournament carries a particularly nostalgic significance. He shared, “Coming back to South Africa is always special, and the Joburg Open was my first win and which got me onto the DP World Tour. I still fondly remember my win here. It was life-changing,” he said.
For those eager to catch every riveting moment, tickets for the Joburg Open are available at https://sunshinetour.com/tickets.
The stage is set for an unforgettable weekend at Houghton Golf Club, where resilience and remarkable skill promise to light up the Joburg Open in true championship style.
