Jayden Schaper signed for a 67 on Saturday at the Investec South African Open Championship to reach 9-under and take a share of the lead alongside fellow South African Ryan van Velzen who carded a 70.
Schaper finished in the top-10 last year and is in his first year on the DP World Tour.
“I have some good memories at this event and also at this golf course,” said Schaper. “If you told me this morning, I would have taken it with both hands.
“I’m in a good rhythm, in a good space, everything is just feeling good. I’ve got a good team behind me and good support and it’s always good to be at home.
“I’m going to stick to the same game-plan and keep doing what I’m doing. There’s nothing to change so why not just keep it the same and see what happens?”
Van Velzen is playing in his second season on the Sunshine Tour.
“I think I played unbelievably today,” he said. “I hit it very good. I played smart golf, didn’t go at flags and kept it on the right side of the hole. There was a couple of three-putts but I played very nicely.
“I stayed very patient, I made lots of pars in a row and I was fine with that. I wasn’t going to chase birdies to those tough flags because that’s how bogeys are made. I just kept it solid.
“It was a lot of fun out there with the crowds following us and the crowds chanting my name, which is cool.”
Compatriot Louis de Jager also signed for a 70 to take solo third place at 8-under.
Six players are tied in fourth place at 7-under including South African Dean Burmester (65) and overnight leader Jesper Svensson of Sweden who made two birdies, two bogeys and a double bogey at the par-4 14th for a 74.
