Golfer Jbe Kruger leads tribute to Nelson Mandela at Hong Kong Open
The only South African in the field honours his late president with black ribbons ... and climb to top of the leaderboard
The Hong Kong Open will pay tribute to Nelson Mandela on Saturday with organisers saying players will be allowed to wear a black ribbon if they wish, to celebrate the life of South Africa's first black president.
One person who did not need an invitation to wear black was Jbe Kruger.
The only South African in the field this year was wearing two ribbons on Friday, as he stormed to the top of the leaderboard with a crisp 66 to total seven-under 133 and take a one-shot lead.
Mandela was one of the best presidents South Africa has ever seen and I don't think our country will ever have another leader like him
"Our country has lost a real-life hero and it is a real honour for me to be wearing this [black ribbons]," said Kruger.
"Mandela was one of the best presidents South Africa has ever seen and I don't think our country will ever have another leader like him."
Kruger woke up Friday morning to the sad news from home that the man who emerged from 27 years in prison to become South Africa's president and lead his country out of apartheid had died.
"We all knew it was coming. He had been sick and was in hospital for a long time. His death will affect everyone, black and white, in my country," said Kruger as he faced the media, who seemed more interested in his reaction to Mandela's death than on his golf.
Kruger began the day three shots behind overnight leader David Higgins of Ireland. It was only on his back nine that he began to make waves as the birdies started to roll in. He knocked in six birdies in seven holes, including four in a row from the 11th to the 14th, to move relentlessly up the leaderboard.