Aldrich Potgieter fired a bogey-free 66 featuring an eagle at the par-5 14th to take a three-shot lead at 7-under at the Nedbank Golf Challenge.

“It was great,” said the South African 20-year-old. “I was enjoying the crowd love out there, it was pretty awesome to have a big crowd following us, and I played some good golf.

“Had a lot of big par saves that managed to drop, so I am really happy with today and will try and do the same tomorrow.

“It would be a dream come true [to win]. Playing in front of a home crowd, I have never played a round like this in front of a big crowd before and it’s been huge. I’ve been in this position a few times with a few people watching, but to be at home, it is very good.”

Potgieter won The Amateur Championship in 2022 at Royal Lytham & St Annes Golf Club and became the youngest winner on the Korn Ferry Tour earlier this year at The Bahamas Great Abaco Classic.

Italian Francesco Laporta cardeda 69 to take a share of second place at 4-under alongside England’s Matthew Jordan.

American Max Homa signed for a 72 and is tied in fourth place at 3-under alongside England’s Matthew Jordan who shot a 69 and France’s Romain Langasque who closed with a 73.

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