SA trio make strides in Germany
Top ranked South African juniors Altin van der Merwe, Paul Boshoff and Tristen Strydom made considerable headway in the second round of the RB German Junior at Golfclub Heddesheim in Gut Neuzenhof on Wednesday.
Van der Merwe was left smarting after a quadruple bogey led to an opening 75, but the Western Province junior rallied with six birdies and an eagle in the second round to vault into contention.
His seven under 65 was the low round of the day and lifted the Sanlam SA Amateur finalist to foint fourth on four under 140 with Dutchman Peter Melching and Daniel Becker from Germany.
The trio lag seven shots behind Norway’s Jarand Ekeland, who set the 36-hole target at 11-under-par 133 after rounds of 64 and 69.
Boshoff and Strydom also finished well off the pace in the first round of the acclaimed World Junior Golf Tournament Series event.
Reigning Nomads SA Boys U-19 Match Play champion Boshoff opened with a 74, however the country’s number one ranked junior dipped four shots under par for a 68 to grab a share of ninth on two under 142.
Strydom overcame a 78 in the first round with a 66 on day two and the 12 shot swing lifted the Pretoria player to joint 17th on even-par 144.
Meanwhile Southern Cape’s Jovan Rebula followed an opening 71 with a 74 in the second round. The Ernie Els and Fancourt Foundation member has some work to do in today’s final round, after slipping to a tie for 22nd on 145.
Written and released by Lali Stander on behalf of the South African Golf Association.