Du Plessis shares Kenya Junior Champs lead

South Africa’s Hennie du Plessis claimed a share of the lead the 36-hole mark of the prestigious Kenya Junior Championship on Tuesday alongside with the country’s number one ranked amateur and defending champion, Daniel Nduva.

Du Plessis lagged two shots behind Nduva after opening with a one-under-par 70 at the Muthaiga Golf Club, however, a second successive 70 saw the 16-year-old Polokwane golfer join Nyali’s Nduva in pole after the local favourite returned a second round 72. –

If the status quo persists, the joint leaders could find themselves in a two-man sprint for the finish.

Du Plessis and Nduva are tied at two-under-par 142, seven shots clear of second placed Titus Okwong (74-75) and 11 shots ahead of Daniel Buguma (79-74) and Kush Mediratta, who both carded rounds of 79 and 74.

Based on his recent performances, the Nduva could have a fight on his hands, because South Africa’s number two ranked junior arrived in Nairobi carrying a rich vein of form into the top amateur championship.

A week after his runner-up finish in the Nomads SA Boys U-17 Stroke Play Championship at Mount Edgecombe in early July, Du Plessis tied for second in the Nomads Order of Merit (NOoM) event played over all three courses at Fancourt.

Following the second-place finishes in the junior events, Du Plessis was equally impressive with a tie for fourth in the Limpopo Open at Polokwane Golf Club.

The Kenya Junior Championship, sponsored by Crown Paints Kenya, is a world amateur golf ranking event endorsed by the R&A and USGA.