SOUTHPORT, England (15 September 2016) – Gauteng North’s Danielle du Toit vaulted 13 spots on day two of the 2016 Duke of York Young Champions Trophy, while Deon Germishuys slipped outside the top 20 at Royal Birkdale in England on Wednesday.

Du Toit battled a balky putter in her opening round of 80, but the reigning Nomads SA Girls champion found her mojo on day two and returned a much-improved 72 in the second round to tie for 18th.

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Germishuys began the second round in a tie for 15th after a first round three-over-par 75 but the 2016 Nomads SA Boys U-19 Stroke Play champion slipped to joint 28th after posting 80 on day two.

“The course played much longer after all the rain in the opening round, but the weather was really warm and the wind dropped to a slight breeze, so really ideal golfing conditions,” said Womens Golf South Africa Vice-President Sally Greasley.

“Deon faded his ball way right into the rough on the first hole but managed to box a lengthy putt to save par. His next two tee shots also ended in the nasty rough and he couldn’t save par at the third and a three-putt bogey at the short hole saw him move to two over.

“He pulled one back at the sixth when he found the fairway and hit a superb approach, but at the eighth, his second shot ended in the thistles. Forced to take an unplayable, Deon dropped in the rough and despite a great shot, walked off with another bogey.

“The 12th was another expensive hole when his drive once again found the thick rough. This time, he needed two shots to get out and then he two putted for a double. I think this unsettled him, because he dropped three shots in a row and signed for 80 after just missing out on a birdie chance at 17.

“He was extremely disappointed and philosophically said it just wasn’t his day, but he joined Danielle on the range and putting green and came away with a smile on his face after some practice, so hopefully the final round will produce a better day.

“Danielle’s first tee shot of the day went into the rough, resulting in a bogey, but she made solid pars at the next two holes and a very good up-and-down from the left-hand bunker at the fourth to save par. Her birdie chance at the fifth lipped out and that set the trend for the front nine.

“She parred the next four holes to turn one over and then charged to two under with three birdies in a row, including a tap-in effort at the tough 12th.  Unfortunately she leaked her drive into the rough at 15 and took two shots to get out of the fairway bunker on 16. But she kept her nerve at the last two holes to come away with an even-par 72.

“She was really pleased that she found her stride again and hopes to produce the kind of winning form she showed before coming to the United Kingdom for Thursday’s final round.”

PHOTO – Deon Gerrmishuys and Danielle du Toit during the Duke of York Young Champions Trophy at Royal Birkdale; credit WGSA.