Justin Walters described his blemish-free second round at the 2026 Investec South African Open Championship as "one of the best" of his career following a roller coaster week for the home hopeful.
The 45-year-old had to do more than most just to earn a place in the field at Stellenbosch Golf Club, with Walters needing to progress through a pre-qualifier at Paarl Golf Club on Tuesday.
He did just that and Walters took full advantage of his first appearance at his home Open in four years thanks to his second-round 65, after admitting he was disappointed with a one-over 71 after Thursday.
Starting on the back nine in trickier afternoon conditions, he reeled off birdies at the 12th, 13th, 17th, third and fifth for a flawless Friday. Walters is at four under for the tournament, six adrift of leader Francesco Laporta.
Speaking about the this week's events, the South African said: "I feel like I've played two tournaments already.
Tuesday: gets into the championship via the pre-tournament qualifier at Paarl GC
— DP World Tour (@DPWorldTour) February 27, 2026
Wednesday: practice at Stellenbosch GC
Thursday: shoots 71 to sit T71
Friday: shoots 65 to move to T13
Justin Walters is loving his time back at his national open for the first time since 2022,… pic.twitter.com/UQqLHODUdv
"Obviously I had the qualifier on Tuesday so prepped really hard for that on Sunday and then worked really hard on Tuesday to get through for this opportunity this week.
"Balance on Wednesday to see the course but then not tiring yourself up too much for the whole week, so played 18 holes and got a real good idea of how hard this golf course can be.
"I didn't do that much work, prep or anything so I felt a little bit undercooked, but played okay yesterday, I just didn't finish really well - I bogeyed three coming home for a one-over round and I was very disappointed because I felt I like I had better in me.
"Today was seeing how windy it was going to be, I really knuckled down and chipped and putted really well today. I had some clutch saves and made some really good birdies, which kept things ticking along, but overall my short game and putting was really good.
"To go bogey-free today with conditions like this, it is probably up there with one of the best rounds of my career.
"The golf course is there to get right in your face. One bad swing or one bad lie in the rough and you are really in a bad way, to go through bogey-free I really didn't see that coming today - I've been known to card a few bogeys in my time.
"To make a bogey-free round in tough conditions, I'm super stoked.
"It's my home Open and it's a real honour to play in this. It's the second oldest Open Championship in the world and the opportunity to play on home soil in front of a home crowd and just get them vibes and feelings back that I had many years ago.
"Having not had a Tour card for a little while, so to play in big Tour events on good, tough golf courses is just where I want to be. I've been working really hard to get back here and it's nice to be here."
