Venter the man to beat African Amateur

South Africa’s Albert Venter matched his opening 65 in the African Amateur Stroke Play Championship on Friday, but this time the Gauteng North golfer fired a flawless seven under at Leopard Creek Country Club to pull away from a large group of international challengers.

The 19-year-old Centurion golfer reeled in birdies at 2, 8, 10, 11, 14, 17 and 18 to finish at 13-under-par 203 and will carry a three stroke lead into the final round over Jamie Bower from England.

The Englishman, who won the 2016 Gauteng North Open, carded a 68 to finish two clear of Scotland’s Jamie Savage (70) and Jason Rossiter (70).

Fellow Scots Jack McDonald (66) and Craig Ross (70) lurked at seven under, while South African trio Ross Sinclair, Kyle McClatchie and Andrew van der Knaap share seventh on four under after firing respective rounds of 73, 74 and 71.

THIRD ROUND – STROKE PLAY LEADERBOARD (top 20)

203 Albert Venter 65 73 65
206 Jamie Bower ENG 66 72 68
208 Jamie Savage SCO 71 67 70; Jason Rossiter 69 69 70
209 Jack McDonald SCO 73 70 66; Craig Ross SCO 66 73 70
212 Rosswell Sinclair 73 66 73; Kyle McClatchie 71 67 74; Andrew van der Knaap 68 73 71
213 Robin Roussel FRA 75 70 68; Kieran Vincent ZIM 74 70 69; Yashab Chandra IND 73 74 66; Connor Syme SCO 73 70 70; Herman Loubser 67 73 73
214 Ugo Coussaud FRA 73 73 68
215 James du Preez 79 70 66; Calum Fyfe SCO 75 70 70; Philip Geerts ITA 72 72 71; Kyle Barker 71 73 71
217 Grant Forrest SCO 77 69 71; Sandy Scott SCO 76 70 71

Written and released by Lali Stander on behalf of the South African Golf Association.