Van Tonder hoping to retain lead

Danie van Tonder is hoping he can see out the week on a positive note by qualifying for the 2014 Nedbank Golf Challenge.

The South African will take a two-stroke lead into Friday’s final round of the Vodacom Origins of Golf at the Euphoria Golf Estate.

The player who finished as the top ranked player on the Sunshine Tour Order of Merit by November 24 will earn a place in this year’s Nedbank Golf Challenge field.

A win on Friday will lift him from his current fourth placed position on the Sunshine Tour’s Order of Merit up to second behind England’s Ross Fisher.

Van Tonder admits that the week could be a game changer for him as he looks to muscle his way into the exclusive event.

“Playing in the Nedbank Golf Challenge would open a lot of doors for me,” Van Tonder said after his 67 on Thursday to lead on 10 under par.

“You play in that tournament and all of a sudden your name is known worldwide. I’d love to test myself against such a world-class field.”