MJ Daffue will take a two-stroke lead into the last day of the NTT DATA Pro-Am brought to you by Standard Bank after firing an eight under par second round of 64 at Fancourt Golf Estate.
Following a five-hour rain delay to Saturday’s second round, the South African, starting on the tenth on the Outeniqua course, made eight birdies in a bogey-free round to move to 13 under par for the week, two shots clear of American Hunter Logan and his countryman Deon Germishuys.
Daffue kickstarted round two with four front nine gains before adding two further birdies after making the turn. Having made pars on six and seven, the 37-year-old closed out his round with back-to-back birdies to move clear at the top of the leaderboard.
“Today was very good,” he said. “I’ve been working hard but haven’t seen much come through for a few years but it has always felt like something is right around the corner. I love this place and it’s so nice to be back in South Africa.”
“I believe any course suits me well because of how I’ve built my game and practised. It rewards good ball strikers and those who plot their way around. In the past I’ve played well here but haven’t had much success.
“I think this time around I’ve scaled back. Being a longer player, it’s so easy to fire at everything so I’m pleased with my gameplan so far this week.”
After Thursday’s first round was cancelled due to heavy rain in George, the 2026 NTT DATA Pro-Am brought to you by Standard Bank is being played over 54 holes, with Sunday’s final round taking place on the Montagu course.
And with several players, including first round leader Benjamin Follett-Smith, set to return early on Sunday morning to finish their second rounds after play was suspended due to darkness, Daffue was pleased with how his gameplan has played out over a weather-affected first 36 holes.
“With the tournament being shortened you can easily push too hard. You have to be methodical whilst keeping your foot on the gas,” he added.
“It’s going to be windy tomorrow. It’s going to be about going out there tomorrow and understanding that there’s a good score out there. It’s going to take commitment to every shot and your instincts to execute it.”
South African duo Louis Albertse and Casey Jarvis along with Zimbabwean pair Kieran Vincent and Benjamin Follett-Smith share fourth on ten under par.
The remainder of the second round will restart at 7:30am on Sunday, with the final round not set to start before 11:00am.
