Publications
Partners
Johannesburg - Trevor Fisher Jnr did enough to take a share of the lead, despite a bogey on the 18th, in the third round of the Zimbabwe Open at Royal Harare Golf Club on Saturday.
"I don't know if it was nerves on the back nine, but it was tough out there," Fisher said.
"This is a nice track, and I enjoy coming here. I finished fourth here in 2010, and I enjoy playing here every year."
The 32-year-old opened up a five-stroke lead after he turned in a magnificent 31 strokes, but he struggled on the second loop, allowing Ruan de Smidt to join him in the clubhouse at 12 under par.
"I'm very disappointed in my back nine," Fisher said.
"I played really nicely on the first nine and then on the back nine I just made stupid mistakes.
"And on the 18th I three-putted from very close, where I was really looking to try to make birdie and move to 14 under.
"I just felt a bit uncomfortable with my putter on the back nine."
The Modderfontein Golf Club professional got ahead of himself on the second loop, dropping shots at the 10th, 14th and 18th.
"I try not to look at the scoreboard, but it obviously did affect me. Maybe I was thinking a bit too much," he said.
De Smidt was excited to be in contention for the first time on the Sunshine Tour, despite his nerves showing on the first few holes.
"I started with three-putts on one and then on two, and then had a very good birdie putt on three," De Smidt said.
"But I threw that away with a terrible tee shot on five.
"After that shaky start I played really well. I just thought that I had to stay calm and hope to bring it back.
"Birdies at seven and eight helped me, because then I aimed to go below par on the last nine, and I got it to three under. I'm looking forward to tomorrow(Sunday)."
