Claassen grabs 36 hole lead after a fine 64

A blistering seven under par 64 ensured that 18 year old JG Claassen moved to the top of the leaderboard, with a 36 hole total of 137, five under par, after the second of the Barrett Amateur Championship.

The Orkney Golf Club member edged one shot clear of over night leader, fellow South African and defending champion Dylan Frittelli in the 72 hole stroke play championship being played at the Algonquin Golf Course in St Andrews by-the-sea, New Brunswick, Canada.

Claassen, who started on the 10th tee, set the tone of his round from the get go by recording birdies on the first two holes he played. He turned in 32, three under par, recording one more birdie in the process. He played his second nine holes in 32, four under par, which was made up of five birdies and a bogey.

The current South African and Zimbabwe Amateur Stroke Play Champion lost all his luggage on the flight to Canada. He has been using unfamiliar golf clubs supplied to him by the local Titleist dealer.

University of Texas freshman, Dylan Frittelli, who is a member at Irene Country Club in Gauteng North, also started on the 10th tee, he went out in 33 and came back in regulation 36 for a 69, two under par. His 36 hole total of 138, four under par, he shares with Australian Jordan Sherratt (67).

Leon Knoll, 18 year old from Silver Lakes Country Club in Gauteng North, who shared the overnight lead with Frittelli, dropped back after recording a regulation par 71. He is on his own in fourth place with a 36 hole total of 140, two under par. He again played steadily recording two birdies and two bogeys.

Knoll, like Claassen, suffered the same fate having lost all his luggage. He too has had to resort to using borrowed golf clubs.

The only other South African in the field, 22 year old Jake Redman, who plays out of Fancourt, recorded a one over par 72 for a 36 hole aggregate of 144, two over par. He is tied in 13th place.

The third round is played today (Friday). The two leading South Africans are in the last three ball starting from the first tee at 09h48 local time. The final round will be played on Saturday.

Barrett Amateur Championship
Course: Algonquin Golf Course (par 71)

Leading scores after 36 holes

137 – JG Claassen (RSA) (73,64)
138 – Dylan Frittelli (RSA) (69,69), Jordan Sherratt (AUS) (71,67)
139 – Leon Knoll (RSA) (69,71)
140 – Luke Dempsey (CAN) (73,68), Chris Welton (CAN) (73,68)

Other South African scores:
144 – Jake Redman (72,72)

For the latest scores click here