NW S. Africa Am Open: Roux opens lead
CARLETONVILLE, S. Africa (March 23, 2014) -- Gerlou Roux from the Western Province fired a seven-under-par 65 to open up a comfortable gap on Mpumalanga’s Thriston Lawrence in the second round of the North West Open Championship on Saturday.
Roux birdied the par-three third and dipped further into red numbers at Rustenburg Golf Club with a string of birdies from the sixth to the eighth holes.
The Western Province golfer vaulted into pole position at 10-under-par 134 after more gains at the 13th, 15th and 18th on the homeward stretch.
Roux leads by two strokes from reigning Sanlam SA Amateur champion, who carded a second successive 68.
Meanwhile top junior Hennie du Plessis from Limpopo gained ground on the frontrunners with a five under 67.
Du Plessis finished four off the pace in joint third with Gareth Clements (69), Evance Vukeya (68) and SA Stroke Play runner-up Stefan Cronje, who doubled up on 69s.
NJ Arnoldi signed for a 67, while Matthew Spacy and Carlo O’Reilly both carded 69s to tie for seventh on 140.
The country’s number one ranked amateur, Christiaan Bezuidenhout, also added his name to the chasing pack.
Bezuidenhout was well off the pace after an opening 74. The Ernie Els and Fancourt Foundation player didn’t make much of a dent in the deficit over first nine holes, but reeled in the birdies on the back nine to complete the loop in 28 strokes.
The Ekurhuleni golfer’s eight-under-par 66 handed him a share of 10th spot on 141 with James du Preez (69), Aubrey Beckley (71) and Andrew van der Knaap, who enjoyed a 10-shot swing with a second round 65.
Joint overnight leaders Jason Viljoen, Douglas McCabe and Keegan de Lange posted rounds of 73, 74 and 75 respectively.
ABOUT THE North West Amateur Open
72-hole stroke play championship with a cut
after
36 holes.
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