Missing clubs prove blessing in disguise for MJ Daffue

It was a case of no clubs, no problem for MJ Daffue as a brilliant 65 put him in the mix for a maiden DP World Tour title at the Soudal Open.

The South African's equipment did not arrive at Rinkven International Golf Club until Wednesday night but that proved a blessing in disguise as he worked with suppliers PING on a contingency.

That led to him finding something in his putting stroke and now, after rounds of 67-66-65, he heads into Sunday three shots behind coutryman and leader Zander Lombard.

"I worked on the putting," he said.

"It has been quite an interesting week not having my clubs until Wednesday evening late, and you use everything to your advantage.

"I was able to work with the PING guys on my putter and putting, and we were able to figure a few things out, so it's been a very good week on that front."

He added: "It was good. Obviously, I've gotten off the pretty solid start – I think I've only missed 11 greens this whole week, so tee to green has been very good."

The 37-year-old played college golf in the United States and has made his living largely on the Korn Ferry Tour and PGA TOUR in recent years.

He returned home to the Sunshine Tour this season, winning the co-sanctioned NTT Data Pro-Am to lock up full playing privileges on the HotelPlanner Tour.

A second HotelPlanner Tour win in India now has him within touching distance of a DP World Tour card and he could wrap that up with a victory tomorrow playing on a sponsor's invite.

"I have worked hard, and I have worked towards where I am now, obviously," he said.

"It's just a testament of me doing the right thing every day and using my opportunities and being very grateful for the opportunities. If I haven't had some – this week's a sponsor’s invite, and so if it wasn't for these people, taking care of me in that sense, you know, I wouldn't be here, so it's a collective effort."

Across a 14-year professional career, Daffue has played all over the world at many levels but his win on home soil in February was his first in a ranking event.

Injuries have also taken their toll and Daffue is proud to see his hard work and mental learnings paying off.

"I'm just happy that I can put my best stuff forward," he said. "It’s been a mental thing.

"I've had injuries and surgeries and the game wasn't good, but I've put consistent, good work in, but it's been mental, and I think the biggest thing this year is – obviously, when you win, you start getting comfortable, and you feel like you can do it – but for me, it's just getting out of my own way and actually just loving myself a little bit more on my golf course.

"Like, understanding that my best is world class, but if I don't hit a good shot, it's OK, it's just part of golf. I think I've been able to recover better, and obviously, mentally, not drag it along and weigh myself down.

"Winning is so hard and we'll go out there tomorrow and try to be my best. If I do end up winning, I mean, it's not a goal that I had there at the beginning of the year, but I know whenever I play, I can win, so it’s just reassurance that what me and my team, and my belief in myself, is doing at the moment is working out."