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GOLF-SUNSHINE

JOHANNESBURG Oct 16 Sapa

BEKKER LOOKING FORWARD TO BMG CLASSIC

Glendower Golf Club is set to host the Sunshine Tour's BMG Classic on Friday, with Johan Bekker being one player particularly looking forward to tackling the Ekurhuleni course, east of Johannesburg.

Having never finished outside the top 20 in an event at Glendower, Bekker hopes to continue his record this week.

"Ive always liked the course. I love the back nine, putt well on the greens, and I feel very comfortable playing there," he said on Tuesday.

"My game is feeling good and Im sure I can do well this week."

Bekker recorded his best professional finish at last years BMG Classic, with the 27-year-old sharing 11th place.

This year he came second at the Big Easy Glendower event.

Bekker has played in the final three-ball twice at the 6914-metre course.

"Last year 1/8at BMG3/8 I experienced a mixture of pressure and nerves, and that caused me to struggle at the start of the final round," said Bekker.

"I came back well, and that did a lot for me.

"The Big Easy helped a lot as well -- I feel confident playing in the last match, and my game is there.

The Pretoria resident had a few tips for tackling the Glendower course.

"You have to play more conservatively on the front nine," he said.

"If you can make it from three to seven in level-par, then youre going to shoot under par.

"There are some really tough holes there, and you should take your pars and run."

Bekker said he had been working with coach Quintin van der Berg this season on improving his game, including adjusting his swing, which often takes some time to click into place.

His timing proved inspired at the Big Easy Tour Championship in September, where he shot a final-round 69 to finish joint-third.

Since then, Bekker has guaranteed himself a 2013 Sunshine Tour card, having finished fifth on the Big Easy Order of Merit.

Sapa

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