VEREENIGING, 19 November 2015 – James du Preez fired a terrific six-under-par 66 in the third round of the Harry Oppenheimer Trophy, but fellow Gauteng North amateur Philip Kruse maintained an iron-clad grip on the prestigious championship with a flawless 65 at Maccauvlei Country Club.

Kruse carded rounds of 67 and 68 to sleep on a two shot lead.

The Woodhill golfer stretched his advantage to three shots with five birdies before he eagled the par-five closing hole to finish five strokes clear of Du Preez.

Kruze leads on 16-under-par 200, with Du Preez at 11 under and reigning Nomads SA Boys U-17 champion Herman Loubser at nine under after carding a 69.

Free States Blaine Dormehl, Luke Jerling from Eastern Province and former SA Stroke Play champion Jason Smith from Gauteng North are five under after respective rounds of 69, 74 and 68.

THIRD ROUND SCORES – top 10
200 Philip Kruse 67 68 65
205 James du Preez 75 64 66
209 Herman Loubser 69 71 69
211 Blaine Dormehl 72 70 69; Luke Jerling 67 70 74; Jason Smith 76 67 68
212 Keegan de Lange 74 69 69
213 Dylan Mostert 69 68 76; Albert Venter 67 71 75; Darin de Smidt 70 72 71; Jason Viljoen 71 69 73

PHOTO – Philip Kruse; credit Catherine Kotze / SASPA.