Jbe aiming for second Sun City win in as many years
[Sunday, June 3, 2018 09:50:26]While admitting that he has not been playing well lately, Jbe’ Kruger is determined to claim his second victory on South African soil and says next week’s Sun City Challenge is the perfect opportunity.
“I am not playing that well, honestly,” admits Kruger ahead of the trip to the Gary Player Country Club. “But, I am building up and things are coming together.”
Kruger, a four-time Sunshine Tour winner, had never won on home soil before his victory at last year’s Sun Carnival City Challenge, a feat he intends to repeat next week.
“It was amazing to win a Sun International event last year, especially one on my home course (Serengeti Wildlife and Golf Estate),” he says, “because I know that golf course backward. But, this is a new week and as I always say, if you don’t play to win tournaments, then you don’t have to come to play. I always play to win.”
Kruger’s last two outings at this Gary Player-designed layout are a cause for optimism because apart from the fact that his only win at home came in a Sun International tournament, he has had good results in the North West. He tied eighth last year and was in a share of fifth the season prior while he missed the cut in 2015.
It will not be easy for the two-time Zimbabwe Open champion as the demand of playing on three tours eventually does take its toll but Kruger is unfazed. “It’s not easy playing three tours,” he admits.
“But, my objective is to keep my Sunshine Tour card and finish as high up as possible on the Order of Merit. So, prioritising is important because I play on three tours. But, we are all trying to make a name for ourselves internationally so it’s important to prioritise.”
Kruger withdrew from the Mopani Redpath Zambia Open and missed the cut at the Lombard Insurance Classic at the Royal Swazi Spa. Those are the only events he’s taken part in on the Sunshine Tour this season and he will aim for a better result come Thursday, or better yet, a second Sun International win in as many years.