AFRICA AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP

February 23, 2024

Ivan Verster

Quick Quotes

Q. Another great round today. You lead the Africa Amateur Championship. What's your reaction to today's performance?

IVAN VERSTER: Really good. I was 6-under through 11. Doubled 12. Chipped it off the green actually. Came back nicely, finished birdie-birdie, so it really gives me confidence going into tomorrow.

Q. How do you prepare for tomorrow's round? Is it just relax tonight, sort of chill out, just think about how you'll play tomorrow?

IVAN VERSTER: Yeah, we're probably going to go out with the boys and throw balls in the water like we did the previous couple days. Just hang out tonight, get a good rest and get ready for tomorrow.

Q. What were the highlights of the round for you?

IVAN VERSTER: I think definitely my birdie on 7. It was a good putt I made there.

Tee shot on 11, I hit it to probably 10 feet off the tee, so that was a really nice drive.

Then to finish off on 18 with an up-and-down birdie. I had to lay up, unfortunately, but to finish the round off with a birdie really gave me some confidence heading into tomorrow.

Q. You've talked about confidence; how do you fancy your chances of lifting the trophy tomorrow?

IVAN VERSTER: I don't want to say anything now. Feeling good, but we'll see. It's golf, so you know how it goes. I saw Maas had 63 today, so there's a low score out there. Anyone within four or five I would say has a good chance, but I'll just do my best and try and keep them away.

Q. How did you get into golf?

IVAN VERSTER: How did I get into golf? I'm not even sure. I was born the day after the Presidents Cup was played in George. I don't know in that's like a lucky charm or something in 2003. So yeah, I think that's it there.

Q. Who was your golf inspiration growing up?

IVAN VERSTER: Golf inspiration I would say Ernie Els, Luke Donald, those kind of guys. Really good tempo in their swings and just really solid.

Q. What's your favorite hole here at Leopard Creek?

IVAN VERSTER: Favorite hole at Leopard Creek has to be 13. Today we saw two elephant there. It's one of the best holes in the world personally.

Q. If you were to lift the trophy tomorrow as the winner, how would you feel?

IVAN VERSTER: If I win tomorrow, I would feel ecstatic. It's what we've been working for the last couple of months. My game has not been great, so to give myself an opportunity tomorrow, I would just be over the moon.