JOHANNESBURG, 15 March 2016 – South Africa’s top-ranked Marco Steyn laid down a marker for a second Pro Shop Northern Amateur Championship title when he grabbed a share of the midway lead at Randpark Golf Club on Tuesday.
Dylan Kok set the target in the 72-hole Stroke Play Qualifier at 12-under-par 132 with a blistering eight under 64 at the Firethorn Course.
The Woodhill golfer slept on a one-shot lead over fellow Gauteng North player James du Preez after the second round action had to be suspended on Monday afternoon due to thunderstorms in the area.
Steyn opened with a 64 and was 11 under through 14 holes when play was called off.
The Modderfontein golfer notched a birdie at the par-four seventh to close with a four under 68 and joined Kok in pole position.
In 2014, Steyn beat Gregory Royston by one stroke to win the Pro Shop Northern Amateur.
This marked his first victory on the Open Amateur circuit and Steyn was pleased to put himself in line for a repeat victory, especially after Scotsman Craig Ross abruptly terminated his Sanlam SA Amateur campaign in the semi-final round two weeks ago.
“It was such a close match and I was really disappointed when I got beaten, but Craig was the better golfer on the day and there is some consolation in the fact that he won the championship,” said the HPC Golf Academy player.
“It was a blow because the closer you get to the final round, the more you want it and the harder it is to get over the knock. But now I’m two rounds in here at Randpark and tied for the lead, so there is a new challenge to focus on.”
Steyn already enjoyed a podium finish in the Free State Open, and hopes to carry his good form to further success, but knows he will have a fight on his hands.
“I have to say well done to Dylan because the wind blew really hard yesterday and it was tough out there to keep a clean card. His 64 in those conditions was pretty impressive,” Steyn said.
“James and Aubrey have been in great form over the last couple of weeks, and Tristen is right in there at nine under and always dangerous. The next two rounds could get really hairy, but I’m excited to see where it takes us.”
Du Preez carded a 68 to finish one off the pace while Strydom and Beckley tied for fourth at 135 after respective rounds of 67 and 69.
David Meyers shot a second round 67 to move to sixth on his own at eight under while Cameron Moralee – who lifted the Freddie Tait Cup as the leading amateur in the BMW SA Open – is a further shot back in second after closing with a 70.
The cut, which fell at four-over-par 148, left 66 players to contest the last two rounds.
ROUND TWO SCORES – TOP 20
132 Dylan Kok 68 64; Marco Steyn 64 68
133 James du Preez 65 68
135 Tristen Strydom 68 67; Aubrey Beckley 66 69
136 David Meyers 69 67
137 Cameron Moralee 67 70
138 Jovan Rebula 71 67
139 Albert Venter 71 68; Andre Nel 67 72
140 Angus Ellis-Cole 71 69; Byron Sampson 69 71; Ruan Conradie 69 71; Sean Bradley 69 71; Loris Schuepbach SUI 67 73
141 Dylan Naidoo 69 72
142 Neal Woernhard SUI 72 70; David Mcintyre 71 71; Etienne J van Rensburg 70 72; Ryan Dreyer 70 72; Matt Saulez 69 73; Jason Smith 69 73
