Roelof Craig takes the halfway lead at Africa Amateur Championship
February 6, 2025 | by Justin Golba of AmateurGolf.com
see also: Roelof Craig, View results for African Amateur, Leopard Creek Country Club
The South African is 8-under and holds a two shot lead while Gia Raad has the lead in the women's championship
Roelof Craig holds a two-shot lead at the halfway mark of the Africa Amateur Championship at Leopard Creek after carding a second consecutive 4-under 68.
The South African rolled in five birdies in a confident display to finish today’s second round on an 8-under total of 136 and take a two-stroke advantage over fellow countryman Bryan Newman and highest-ranked player in the field Michael Karanga of Kenya.
“It was a very good, solid round today. I didn't really make mistakes,” said Craig.
“The highlights of the round are probably the birdie on the 11th, which got me going, and then I had a great up and down on the 13th. I actually had a terrible tee shot on the 18th and somehow made a great birdie. Yeah, it gives me a lot of confidence. I definitely think I can win this.”
Newman once again cashed in on the back nine, following up on yesterday’s display to pick up birdies on the 12th and 13th before making three-in-a-row on the closing holes to post another 69. Karanga mixed five birdies with three bogeys for a round of 70, and both players now sit on six-under-par 138.
“I feel great. I had a really good, sweet finish, so I'm really happy,” said Newman.
“It gives me a lot of confidence. I've been playing well on the back nine the last two days. Yesterday I shot five-under on the back nine, today four-under. I felt I was going to do well.
“I'm just going to try and keep doing what I'm doing. Maybe make a few less bogeys on the front nine, but looking forward to the weekend.”
“I'm very happy with my performance today and over the last two rounds. I'm still in contention,” said Karanga.
“I shot four-under and two-under today. My target is to go even lower tomorrow and try and shoot six-under. In the days I've played, from the practice round up to now, I've learned something on the golf course. As I said yesterday, just keep the ball in play and you can score.”
South African pairing Jack Buchanan and Johndre Ludick sit one shot further back on five-under-par 139, while overnight leader Tanaka Chatora of Zimbabwe slipped back after a 75 to sit on four-under-par going into the weekend.
The cut fell at 15-over-par with the top 40 players and ties progressing.
The 17-year-old followed up yesterday’s level-par 72 with a fine three-under-par 69 that included four birdies.
“I'm really happy, I played some really solid golf,” said Raad.
“My favourite birdie today was on the 14th. I didn't hit a good drive and so didn’t have a lot of green to work with. I was in the rough and just hit a pitching wedge to five feet from the hole. I was pretty happy with that one.
“I think three shots is a good lead. I'm not going to do anything fancy tomorrow, just going to try to play the same as I did today, take it one shot at a time and see how it goes.”
Set against the stunning backdrop of the Kruger National Park, the Africa Amateur Championship and Africa Amateur Women’s Invitational provide a world-class platform for the region’s rising talent to compete on the international stage.
The winner of the Africa Amateur Championship will earn exemptions into The 153rd Open at Royal Portrush, The Amateur Championship, the Alfred Dunhill Championship, The Investec South African Open and the Waterfall City Tournament of Champions powered by Attacq.
The winner of the Africa Amateur Women’s Invitational will earn starts in The Women’s Amateur Championship, Final Qualifying for the AIG Women’s Open, Joburg Ladies Open, The Investec South African Women’s Open and the Waterfall City Tournament of Champions powered by Attacq.
Rolex is an event partner of the Africa Amateur Championship and Africa Amateur Women’s Invitational and is committed to supporting The R&A’s professional and amateur championships.
The Swiss watchmaker’s contribution to excellence in golf is based on a rich heritage stretching back almost 60 years, forged through pivotal partnerships at every level of the game, from the sport’s leading professional and amateur competitions and organisations, to players at the pinnacle of their discipline and younger talents embarking on their journey towards greatness.
R&A TV is providing a live stream to a number of selected countries and territories, supplemented by daily highlights featuring key moments from each event following completion of play.
Results: African Amateur
| Place | Player | Location | Pts | Scores |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | , South Africa | 700 | 69-69-68-74=280 | |
| 2 | , Zimbabwe | 500 | 74-73-66-69=282 | |
| 3 | , South Africa | 400 | 68-68-75-75=286 | |
| 4 | , South Africa | 400 | 72-76-66-73=287 | |
| T5 | , Zambia | 400 | 75-72-73-69=289 |
About the African Amateur
Introduced by the R&A in 2024, this event aims to replicate the success of the Latin American and Asia- Pacific amateur championships that have provided a pathway for golfers in different parts of the world to reach elite levels of the sport. 72-hole...
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