Son and Higgo keep control at Curro SA Juniors

Overnight leader Woo-Ju Son protected her overnight lead in the Girls Division of the Curro South African Junior International against a 43-strong line-up at Durbanville Golf Club, while De Zalze golfer Garrick Higgo has been in a league of his own in the 97-strong Boys Division through two rounds of the 56-hole Global Junior Golf Tour event.

Son from Country Club Johannesburg followed her first-round even-par 72 with a 69 to take a six-shot lead on 141 shots. Her round was made up of two birdies, an eagle and one bogey.

The pocket-size 15-year-old seems set to nail home the victory at a course where she has already won the Western Province Junior Championship this year.

She did finish third in the 2015 Curro SA Juniors International and is no doubt be aiming for top spot on the podium.

Tasked to chase down the country’s number one junior is Chrystal Beukes of Stellenbosch Golf Club (72), who finished alone in second place ahead of Woodhill Country Club’s Catherine Lau (73).

KwaZulu-Natal’s Brittney-Fay Berger (72) and Ivanna Samu (73) from Gauteng share fourth on 149.

“To win such a prestigious tournament would be a big honour, but let’s not predict the future, there’s still work left before I can celebrate,” Son said.

“I chipped in for eagle from 30 meters at 11 and had a birdie at 14, but things became tough coming home. The wind was three-club strength, but I stuck at it and am happy with the score I shot. I’ve had my fair share of two-under scores on par fives, but this one was a cool one because it wasn’t the best chip I’ve made from off the green.”

Sixteen-year-old Higgo fired a six under 66 and sits on 11-under-par 133, seven clear of Slovakia’s Jakub Hrinda, who moved up a place to outright second after posting four-under 68.

Zimbabwe’s Justin Kirsten (68), Wilco Nienaber (69) and Constantin Unger (71) from Germany share third place.

GIRLS LEADERBOARD – ROUND TWO (TOP 10)
141 Woo-Ju Son 72 69
147 Crystal Beukes 75 72
148 Catherine Lau 75 73
149 Brittney-Fay Berger 77 72; Ivanna Samu 76 73
151 Chloe Royston 73 78
153 Dorthea Forbrigd NOR 75 78
155 Kajal Mistry 77 78; Matilde Stenqvist SWE 75 80
156 Kiera Floyd 77 79

Written by Mike du Bruyn on behalf of the Curro SA Juniors International.

SOCIAL MEDIA – Twitter hashtag #CurroGolfChamps.