Calum Hill cuts out 'mistakes' to get in Leopard Creek mix
The 26-year-old from Crook of Devon equalled the best score of the day with a five-under-par 67 at Leopard Creek to move into a share of sixth spot on nine-under.In the second of a three-event swing in South Africa, Hill sits five shots off the lead, held by Pole Adrian Meronk, as he bids to join fellow Scot and stablemate Bob MacIntyre in making the breakthrough on the main tour.“I feel very happy with that round,” said the three-time Challenge Tour winner after signing for a card that contained six birdies, including three in the last four holes.“The first time I looked at the leaderboard was on the 18th and I was pleasantly surprised with my position, as I hadn’t realised I was that high. I’m pleased to be in a decent spot for tomorrow.”Hill has made his fair share of cuts this season but sits 112th in the Race to Dubai, having often undone good work with an untimely big number.That was certainly the case when he had to settle for a tie for 25th in the Scottish Championship at Fairmont St Andrews in October after having the leaders in his sights at the turn in the final round.His opening two days this week had also included a double-bogey, but Hill was pleased to limit any spillage to just a solitary bogey in the penultimate circuit.“I decided that I wouldn’t throw in any really bad shots today, so I’m delighted I didn’t make too many mistakes or card any doubles,” he added.“I wouldn’t say the course has changed drastically over the past few days. The greens are maybe firming up a tiny bit.“If the conditions are similar tomorrow as they have been the last few days, I am sure I will be okay.”Hill, who recorded his best finish this season when he tied for eighth in the Wales Open at Celtic Manor in August, has quickly developed a liking for Leopard Creek after ending up just outside the top 10 in this event last December.“I feel quite comfortable on this golf course, which is nice, and hopefully I’ll go out tomorrow and shoot another really good score and then see what happens,” said the Gleneagles-attached player.On a day when Meronk cemented his position at the top of the leaderboard with a 71, Scott Jamieson dropped five shots in four holes around the turn before recovering with an eagle and birdie in the last eight holes.That enabled the 36-year-old to salvage a par-72 to sit joint-tenth on seven-under and still in with a chance to claim a third top-five finish in four starts at this venue.MacIntyre, the other Scot to make it to the weekend out of six starters, covered his last 10 holes in two-under for a 70 to share 21st spot on four-under.
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