Trocado, Kaminski grab South African Stroke Play lead

PORT ELIZABETH, South Africa — Ewen Ferguson stretched his overnight lead to two shots, but South Africans Luke Trocado and Rupert Kaminski powered their way past the Scotsman to share the second round lead in the South African Stroke Play Championship at Port Elizabeth Golf Club on Wednesday. Trocado clocked in with a five-under-par 67, while Kaminski from Parkview closed with a flawless 66 to join the Atlantic Beach golfer in pole position at nine-under-par 135. The pair finished a stroke clear of Ferguson and two ahead of Frenchman Ugo Coussard after both foreigners signed for 71s. Two successive 69s from Kyle Barker left the Randpark golfer in fourth on six under, while reigning Nomads SA Boys U-17 champion Dylan Naidoo from Modderfontein carded a 70 to tie Gavin Moynihan from Ireland (71) in sixth place on 139. Local hero Fezekile Kana delighted the home crowds with a fantastic charge over the front nine. The 23-year-old South African Golf Development Board graduate reeled in three birdies to turn in six under, but a triple bogey after an unplayable lie at the fourth and a two-putt bogey at the fifth briefly derailed his charge. Kana rallied with birdies at the sixth and eighth holes for a 71 and a share of sixth at four under with fellow Ernie Els and Fancourt Foundation player Ian Snyman, Scotland’s Craig Ross, Armandt Scholtz and Johan Germishuys from Boland, Jeong Weon Ko from France. Trocado notched five birdies on the front nine and boosted his tally with three more gains down the home stretch. “I had a nice bit of confidence after a sixth place finish in the Eastern Province / Border Stroke Play on Sunday, but I just couldn’t warm up the putter in the first round,” said the 18-year-old. “I didn’t change my game plan at all, but a lot more putts dropped.” Kaminsky was thrilled to be in contention after a lukewarm finish on Sunday. “I didn’t start well in the EP / Border Stroke Play, but I finished with a solid 68 and I drew some confidence from that,” said 18-year-old, who is heading for Mississippi State University in August. “I didn’t putt all that well, but I got it close to give myself some chances.” Ferguson was out with the sparrows and turned in 10 under, but three bogeys in four holes on the back nine put paid to his challenge. “My ball striking was as good as the first round, but the putter was just really streaky,” said the 18-year-old Bearsden golfer. “I made it look easy in the first round, but really struggled to hole them today. Still, two rounds to go, so I’m not complaining.”