Pilkdaris hoping for European success

Asian Tour regular Terry Pilkadaris is hoping that his good early form after two rounds of the Joburg Open will be a springboard to success for him in Europe this season.

Australian Pilkadaris, who has been playing many of the co-sanctioned events in Asia, Australia and Africa, is keen to get a good finish to try to make it into the Dubai Desert Classic.

With his category 12 exemption, the Perth resident has taken easily to the East course at the Royal Johannesburg and Kensington Golf Club but knows the stakes are high for his schedule this year.

“I had phoned around for invites for this year, but I didn’t get many,” Pilkadaris explained.

“But at least my exemption means I can make the co-sanctioned events.”

Pilkadaris lies nicely poised at 10 under, one behind the trio of South Africans in the lead after two rounds.

Hennie Otto, James Kingston and Jakobus Roos are all on 11 under with two rounds to go.

Many of the competitors struggled with the change in courses but Pilkadaris managed to blitz the course even though the conditions were difficult.

He said: “The greens were a little different, they hadn’t moved the pins for today so the greens were a little bumpy and a little muddy because of the rain last night. But, yes, there were two very different golf courses. Its more in the mindset than anything else.

“Tomorrow I need to do the same as yesterday, keep it tidy and get the red numbers on the board.”

South African favourite Charl Schwartzel, who is the top-ranked player in the tournament, narrowly missed the cut of three under by rattling off five birdies on the back nine to finish the round on six under.