Flanagan fires 67 to grab two shot lead at Jo’burg City Masters

Sport360 staff 07:35 14/06/2016
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  • In pole position: Bryn Flanagan.

    On a day when cold, wet and windy conditions made things difficult, Flanagan remained unruffled, reeling off one eagle, four birdies and a bogey in his round.

    England’s Billy Spooner joined the South African duo of Kevin Rundle and Jaco Prinsloo in a tie for second on 69, one shot ahead of a three-man group which included rising amateur David Meyers.

    Flanagan came out singing in the rain, thanks to a new putting approach, as well as experience gained from college golf in Houston.

    “It was quite cold and wet, but I’m kind of used to the conditions having played in similar conditions back in Houston when I played college golf,” said the 24-year-old.

    “I just drew on those experiences. You’ve got to be patient and realize that the majority of the field are going to be knocked down from the word go because they aren’t really happy with the conditions.”

    Flanagan’s new putting approach yielded some impressive putts on the pristine putting surfaces at

    Glendower Golf Club, but the talented South African said it was still a work in progress.

    “Yeah, I had a major breakthrough with my putting. I kind of had enough of putting mediocre, so I just changed a few things and I’m excited about how I’m putting the ball. I had 28 putts today – I hardly ever break 30 putts – so I’m really happy about that,” said Flanagan.

    Highly-rated Englishman Haydn McCullen sits on one-under-par alongside four others, including 2007 Johnnie Walker Classic winner Anton Haig, while Thriston Lawrence, the 2015 MENA Golf Tour Order of Merit champion, settled for a level-par 72.

    Bryandrew Roelofsz, winner of last week’s tournament, stumbled to a 75 and would need to produce something special if he aims to haul himself back into contention.

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