CAPE TOWN, 20 April 2016 – Centurion amateur Albert Venter kept pedal to the metal and extended his overnight lead in the Western Province Stroke Play Championship at Clovelly Country Club on Tuesday.

The 20-year-old made the most of the wind-still conditions on Monday to open with a nine-under-par 63, but had a tougher time of it as a 35 km per hour South-Westerly wind showed up in the second round.

He offset two bogeys with five birdies for a three under 69 to keep control at 12-under-par 132 and move another step closer to a second victory this season.

The 2016 Africa Amateur Stroke Play champion finished five strokes clear of North West golfer Danie van Niekerk, who posted a 72.

Unlike the first round when almost 40 players broke par, only 24 players managed to finish in red numbers in the blustery conditions.

“The wind definitely played a major role today,” Venter said. “The layout at Clovelly reminds me a lot of Paarl Golf Club. The fairways are quite generous, but they are tree-lined and there is a lot of trouble off the tee if you’re not striking the ball well.

“When you put the wind in the mix, accuracy is at a premium and every poor tee shot is punished. It’s a really challenging course in terms of the greens, too, because you have to hit it on the right side to have any chance of birdie.

“I made a few blunders, but overall I am hitting the ball well and I’m really pleased that I managed to protect the lead.”

Venter leads by six from fellow HPC Golf Academy member Marco Steyn, who carded a second successive 69 to tie for third with Boland’s Neswill Croy and local favourite Gerlou Roux.

Croy returned a two under 70, while Roux – the reigning Western Province Match Play champion – registered a 72.

SECOND ROUND SCORES – Top 20
132 Albert Venter 63 69
137 Danie van Niekerk 65 72
138 Marco Steyn 69 69; Neswill Croy 68 70; Gerlou Roux 66 72
139 Elmo Barnard 72 67; Louis Albertse 71 68; Marcus (Jnr) Smal 68 71; Dylan Naidoo 68 71; Kyle McClatchie 66 73
140 Noel Anderson 74 66; Andre Nel 70 70; Jovan Rebula 70 70; Brandon Cloete 67 73
141 Jason Rossiter 69 72; Kyle Barker 69 72; Cameron Johnston 69 72; Darin de Smidt 69 72
142 Luca Filippi 72 70; Herman Loubser 71 71; Paul Boshoff 70 72; Angus Ellis-Cole 70 72; Quintin Wilsnach 68 74

PHOTO – Albert Venter; credit Ernest Blignault.