Gillberg moves into 54-hole South African Stroke Play Lead

February 8, 2018 | by AmateurGolf.com Staff

Sweden's Oliver Gillberg holds the 54-hole lead <br>(Irish Golf Desk Photo by Ernest Blignault)

Sweden's Oliver Gillberg closed in 7-under 69 on Thursday in the third round

HARTBEESPOORTDAM, South Africa (February 8, 2018) - Sweden's Oliver Gillberg continued his stellar play with a third round 8-under 64 to move to 23-under-par and the lead alone at the South African Stroke Play. Teeing it up at Pecanwood Golf Club, Gillberg was just 1-under after a two birdie, one bogey front nine but on the second nine the golfer of the first two days returned. Beginning with a birdie on the 10th Gillberg birdied four straight holes and overall seven of the first eight holes on the side to close in a scorching hot 7-under 29. The only holes that Gillberg didn't birdie on the back nine were the 14th and 18th holes. Last year Gillberg earned Golfweek/AmateurGolf.com points in three different events; the British Amateur (Final 64), in the European Tour's Nordea Masters (T68) and at the South African Stroke Play (T7). Matt Saulez (South Africa) signed for an 8-under 64 as well to move to 21-under and second place, 36-hole co-leader Wilco Nienaber (South Africa) is third at 19-under, James du Preez (South Africa) is fourth at 15-under while the 14-under Sam Locke (Scotland) and Louis Albertse (South Africa) are sharing fifth. 36-HOLE RECAP With low numbers abound the 36-hole lead of the South African Stroke Play is being shared by Sweden's Oliver Gillberg and Wilco Nienaber of the host country. Both players are 15-under following two days of play at Pecanwood Golf Club and two shots clear of the pack. Gillberg went low on day one with a 5-under 67 only to go even lower on Wednesday with a bogey-free 10-under 62. The round included eight birdies and an eagle on the par-5 10th. Following a par on the opening hole Gillberg birdied the next four and five of the next six. Gillberg extended his run even further playing Nos. 2-16 in 10-under. Two-time Golfweek/AmateurGolf.com winner Wilco Nienaber has combined rounds of 65-64 to earn his share of the lead. Through 36-holes Nienaber has birdied 17-times while bogeying just twice. Nienaber previous victorious came at this years Free State Open and at the 2017 Central Gauteng Amateur Open just this past November. Matt Saulez (South Africa) is in third place at 13-under, Keaton Slatter (South Africa) sits in fourth at 12-under while Louis Albertse (South Africa), James du Preez (South Africa), Ludwig Aberg (Sweden) and Robin Dawson (Ireland) are tied for fifth at 11-under.

Results: South African Stroke Play

Place	Player	Location	Pts	Scores
1	Oliver Gillberg	, Sweden	700	67-62-64-68=261
2	Matt Saulez	, South Africa	500	67-64-64-67=262
3	Wilco Nienaber	, South Africa	400	65-64-68-66=263
4	Neal Woernhard	, Switzerland	400	72-70-64-63=269
T5	Louis Albertse	, South Africa	400	66-67-69-68=270

View full results for South African Stroke Play

About the South African Stroke Play

Gillberg moves into 54-hole South African Stroke Play Lead

The premier amateur stroke play event in South Africa, with a field comprised of the best South African amateurs and a strong contingent of Europeans. 72 hole stroke play championship with a cut after 36 holes.