Connor Syme 'really happy' to end his run of missed cuts

Connor Syme is back on track in his bid to secure a first appearance in the DP World Tour Championship after ending a run of three consecutive missed cuts.

Connor Syme in action during the South African Open at Gary Player CC in Sun City. Picture: Warren Little/Getty Images

The 25-year-old Fifer comfortably made it through to the weekend in the South African Open as he followed an opening 74 with a 70 at Gary Player Country Club in Sun City for a two-under total.

Syme had been hoping for better after getting to four-under for his round with five holes to play and finding the fairway at the par-5 fifth - his 14th hole.

But, after having to settle for a par on that, he then dropped shots at the next two holes.

It was mission accomplished, though, as he comfortably made the cut after disappointing early exits in two events in Cyprus then last week’s Alfred Dunhill Championship at Leopard Creek.

“I feel I have been playing okay recently but missed a few cuts in a row, which was disappointing after a really good summer,” said Syme. “But really happy, even though a really good round got away from me.

“I was in a good position on the par 5 fifth - my 14th - but anything under par round here is always decent.

“I feel as though I managed my game well today, missing in the right spots, and also holed some putts.

“It gives me a chance as I am there or thereabouts, though I will need a couple of low ones over the weekend.”

Syme sits 68th in the Race to Dubai but, as things stand, is likely to get into next week’s season-ending DP World Tour Championship at Jumeirah Golf Estates as the cut off for that 60-man field is likely to be around the 70 mark.

“Next week is definitely in the back of my mind,” admitted Syme. “This is the worst Race to Dubai position I’ve been all year.

“It’s not been my best stuff towards the end. I’ve changed caddies and it’s not been easy the last few weeks.

“It would be a great achievement if I could make it to next week.

“Last week we thought it was going to be the top 67 who would get in and now it seems as though it will be somewhere between top 72 and 75.

“All I can do is golf my ball here and see where that leaves me.”

David Law sits alongside Syme in joint-16th after carding a second 71, with Calum Hill one behind his two compatriots after a brilliant second-day effort.

The 26-year-old, who had opened with a 77, carded a bogey-free six-under 66 to jump 90 spots into joint-24th.

Scott Jamieson, who sits two spots above Syme in the Race to Dubai, comfortably made the cut on level-par but lost ground after a second-round 74.

Welshman Jamie Donaldson, who needs to win to be guaranteed a spot in Dubai next week, shares the lead on 10-under with in-form home player Christiaan Bezuidenhout.

Donaldson, who sealed victory for Europe in the 2014 Ryder Cup at Gleneagles, came within a shot of equalling Lee Westwood’s course record with a 63.

Bidding to make it back-to-back wins after his Alfred Dunhill Championship triumph last weekend, Bezuidenhout also moved into double digits for red figures after a second 67.

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