Blaauw and Dubuisson Take the Lead

8 February 2008 – It was Bolander Jacques Blaauw, together with Victor Dubuisson, who managed to beat the burly winds of Pearl Valley yesterday after the third round to take the leader position of the SA Amateur Stroke Play.

Dubuisson, the 17-year-old Frenchman, managed to clear a four-over-par 76, while the 21-year-old Blaaux bettered even that with a remarkable two-under-par 70.

Blaaux said that even though the winds were incredibly tough, because he had played this course before, he knew his way around it. "There was a three or four club wind out there but I was able to take more club and just hit the ball softer to keep the ball flight and spin rate down."

Dubuisson, also having previous experience on this course, having played it three times before, commented on the day by saying that he regrets playing too safe and that this has cost him. "I found the par-threes to be very difficult with the wind”, Dubuisson said.

Dubuisson and Blaauw share a total of one-over-par 217 after three rounds, leading Leon-Brink Knoll, who shot a level par 71, by one shot.

Play resumes today.