VEREENIGING, 18 November 2015 – Joint overnight leader Philip Kruse pulled away from the pack and opened up a two stroke lead at the halfway mark of the prestigious Harry Oppenheimer Trophy at Maccauvlei Country Club on Wednesday.

Kruse finished in a four-way tie for the lead after an opening five-under-par 67, but pulled clear of Dylan Mostert and Luke Jerling with a 68 in the second round.

An eagle at the par-five seventh, four birdies and two bogeys later, the 19-year-old Woodhill golfer leads at nine-under-par 135.

Recent Central Gauteng Open champion Mostert from Ekurhuleni strengthened his bid for back-to-back victories with a 68, while Jerling from Eastern Province returned a 70.

Albert Venter from Gauteng North and Central Gauteng’s David McIntyre share fourth on 138 after respective rounds of 71 and 67.

Gauteng North’s James du Preez mixed nine birdies with a lone bogey to post the low round of the day and the eight under 64 lifted Du Preez to sixth on 139.

Aubrey Beckley from North West also fired a 68 to vault to joint seventh n alongside Boland’s Herman Loubser (71), Jason Viljoen from Central Gauteng (69) and local favourite Pieter Swartz, who returned a 68 at his home course to join the bus at 140.

A further 10 players took advantage of the sunny conditions to finish under par over the first 36 holes, while 63 players survived the cut to 60 and ties that fell at 10-over-par 154.

SECOND ROUND SCORES – top 10
135 Philip Kruse 67 68
137 Dylan Mostert 69 68; Luke Jerling 67 70
138 Albert Venter 67 71; David Mcintyre 71 67
139 James du Preez 75 64
140 Aubrey Beckley 72 68; Jason Viljoen 71 69; Herman Loubser 69 71; Pieter Swartz 72 68

PHOTO – Philip Kruse; credit Dale Boyce.