Hill heads McClean by one at halfway in South African Stroke Play
Galgorm Castle’s Joshua Hill. Picture: GolfRSA
Galform Castle’s Joshua Hill carded a three-under 69 to take a one-shot lead over Malone’s Matthew McClean into the last two rounds of the South African Stroke Play Championship.
The reigning Mullingar Scratch Trophy champion overcame an early bogey six at the 11th with four birdies at Mount Edgecombe Country Club to lead on seven-under-par at halfway.
“It was around 6:50 in the morning and I must have been tired, and I just winged one in the water,” Hill said of his early mistake. “Then I lipped out from six feet for par, which was a bit frustrating. But thankfully I got round the next 16 holes pretty good.
“It’s always nice when you are in a competition and you are in contention. It’s nice to be up there trying to win a trophy and not playing for places.:
Hill putted well to open with a 68 but felt his ball striking was better in yesterday’s 69.
“Yesterday I holed two pretty longish ones, today I just a lot more solid, tee-to-green and hit more greens and if I had a chance inside 10 feet, I took care of it.”
McClean made seven birdies in an opening 69, but he was pleased to go bogey-free en route to a very different 69 yesterday.
“I played a bit more conservatively, but I left a soft birdie there on 18, which was pretty frustrating,” the reigning US Mid-Amateur champion said. “But I’ll get over it pretty quickly.”
Royal Dublin’s Hugh Foley is the next best of the Irish, tied for 10th, six shots behind Hill, after a 73.