Clandeboye’s Jonathan Caldwell ensured safe passage to the weekend upon his European Tour return at the Alfred Dunhill in South Africa.
10 years since he last competed full-time on the Main Tour, the 35-year old coasted all of 63 places up the leaderboard and inside the top-15 after signing for a bogey-free three-under par round of 69.
Although trailing eight shots behind Spain’s Pablo Larrazabal’s nine-under par halfway lead, the Northern Irishman made significant strides at Leopard Creek Country Club and he’ll hope to continue to ride the Qualifying School wave of earning his Tour card through to a big weekend at the EUR 1,500,000 event.
Things improved on day two also for fellow graduate Cormac Sharvin, however after an opening round of 80, making the cut was going to take something special from the Ardglass pro.
In the end the 27-year old signed for a one-over par 73 and despite climbing 34 places up the leaderboard for the effort, he ultimately fell short of the three-under par cut mark, allowing him ample time to celebrate and reflect over Christmas on a Challenge Tour campaign that saw him record eight top-10 finishes and secure his Main Tour ticket ahead of an assault on the 2020 calendar.
At the top, Larrazabal’s lead is significant, all of three shots from home contender Branden Grace and Dutchman Wil Besseling who lead the chasing pack at minus-six.
Five birdies in six back nine holes saw the Spaniard take the tournament by the scruff of the neck with 36-holes to play in Malelane.
Full scoring HERE
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