In a moment that sent a wild roar through the , young South African star Casey Jarvis holed an incredible 23-foot par putt on the final hole to claim the solo lead of the 115th Investec South African Open. On a day where the “Pathway to Augusta” became a test of pure nerve, Jarvis signed for a brilliant 64 to move to 11-under-par, setting the stage for a historic Sunday showdown at Stellenbosch Golf Club.
The Roar of the Home Crowd
Saturday at the SA Open is traditionally “Moving Day,” and the atmosphere at Stellenbosch lived up to the billing. Jarvis, hunting back-to-back victories after winning in Kenya last week, admitted that the energy from the gallery was a defining factor. After hitting his second shot on the par-four 18th far right and into the hospitality area, his miraculous par save became the “coolest moment” of the championship.
“It was such a cool moment. The home support is fantastic. I love playing here,” said Jarvis. After a slow start—sitting just one-under through seven holes—a chip-in on the eighth ignited his charge, leading to birdies on four of the next five holes.
The sentiment was echoed across the leaderboard. Hennie du Plessis, who sits just one shot back at 10-under after a 67, credited the spectators for his momentum. “The crowds definitely kept me going. I’ve never experienced this before,” he remarked. Even Italy’s Francesco Laporta, who shares second place after a gritty 70, described the atmosphere as “crazy.”
A Changing Test
While the morning rounds on Friday saw record-breaking scores, Saturday presented a sterner challenge with a shift in wind direction. The modernized 7,268-yard layout showed its teeth, requiring every bit of patience from the contenders.
Jarvis now leads a pack of seasoned challengers eyeing the ultimate prize: a direct invitation to The Masters at Augusta National and one of the three available spots for The 154th Open.
The Leaderboard: A Sunday Sprint
The top of the leaderboard is tightly packed, ensuring a high-pressure finale:
- 200 (-11): Casey Jarvis (67 68 64)
- 201 (-10): Hennie du Plessis (70 63 67) & Francesco Laporta (66 64 70)
- 202 (-9): Calum Hill (70 67 65)
- 203 (-8): Kieron van Wyk (70 69 64), Xander Basson (67 70 66), & Nathan Kimsey (66 65 72)
Notably, former champion Dean Burmester remains in the mix at 204 (-6) following a 72, alongside veteran Branden Grace.
The Final Stretch
With the field narrowed, the battle for a place in South African Open history enters its final 36 holes. For Jarvis, the goal is to maintain the “state of grace” that saw him win just seven days ago. For Du Plessis and Laporta, the opportunity to reclaim the lead on a challenging Sunday is the ultimate motivation. As the “Pathway to Augusta” reaches its ultimate intensity, Stellenbosch is ready for a champion.
