EUROPEAN TOUR FANTASY RACE TO DUBAI WEEK 4: JOBURG OPEN
Royal Johannesburg and Kensington GC
What difference does a week make? Well in the instance of South African Richard Sterne… not a whole lot. Fresh off his solo 2nd at last week’s Omega Dubai Desert Classic (where he also was the 36-hole leader), Sterne is back atop the leader board again at this week’s Joburg Open in Johannesburg, South Africa. Sterne (now World No. 94) goes 63-65 and is on 15-under par at the halfway point; tied with fellow South African Trevor Fisher Jr. (66-62) and three shots clear of South African George Coetzee (67-64) who is in solo-3rd.
Yet another South African and pre-tournament favorite Charl Schwartzel (11/4 odds), is currently on 10-under (68-65) and is in a three-way T4 with South African Keith Horne (67-66) and Chile’s Felipe Aguilar (67-66). They’ll start the weekend five shots back of the leaders.
Play alternated between the East (par 72) and West (par 71) courses for the first two rounds; play switches solely to the East course for the final two rounds. 69 of 210 players made the cut (4-under).
Other Tournament Notes after 36 holes:
• Branden Grace – World No. 29 and defending champion goes 72-70 (1-under) and will not be around for the weekend to defend his title. Grace was a heavy pre-tournament favorite (7/1) and was the most popular pick for Fantasy Owners this week having been selected on 65.73% of Fantasy Teams.
• Trevor Fisher Jr. – World No. 266 will be in the final pairing for the 3rd round with Sterne. Fisher Jr. has recorded 2 bogeys through his first 36 holes but has 17 birdies and an eagle to share the 36-hole lead. Fisher Jr. is a heavy underdog (80/1) and is owned by less-than 4.57% of Fantasy Teams this week.
• Charl Schwartzel – Two-time champion here and highest ranked player in the field (#18) does not disappoint. Will start the weekend five shots back of the leaders. Schwartzel is owned on 65.02% of Fantasy Teams this week.
• George Coetzee – Another pre-tournament favorite at 7/1, Coetzee sits solo 3rd on 12-under and is paired with Schwartzel for the 3rd round. Coetzee is the third most popular amongst Fantasy Owners this week at 59.78% ownership.
• Felipe Aguilar – On the heels of his T3 at last week’s Dubai Desert Classic, Chile’s Aguilar continues his good form this week. Aguilar jumped from World No. 232 to 179 this past week and is part of the three-way tie for 4th with Schwartzel and fellow South African Keith Horne. Aguilar is 15.42% Fantasy-owned this week.
• Keith Horne – 66/1 odds this week, but this South African has played well in his homeland. Not including this event, Horne has six Top 25 finishes in South Africa (since Jan. 1, 2008). He’ll be looking to improve on his T60 here a year ago.