Team Kenya’s boys and girls squads retained their second-place positions after the second round of the All Africa Junior Teams Golf Championships at the par-72 Windsor Golf and Country Club.
South Africa, however, expanded their lead at the top, creating a substantial margin heading into the final round on Thursday, where the top two boys’ teams and the top girls’ team will qualify for the World Junior Championships in Japan in June.
In the boys’ competition, South Africafeaturing Andries Van Der Vyver, Cilliers Craig, Dewan De Bruin, and Roelof Craigbuilt a 30-point lead at 18 under par.
Hosts Kenya, represented by Mwathi Gicheru, Junaid Ayaz Manji, Tsevi Soni, and Yuvraj Rajput, remained second on 12 over par. Uganda and Morocco were tied in third place.
Sixteen-year-old Van Der Vyver continued his excellent form from round one, recording seven under par 72 in the second round.
He secured four birdies on the front nine and three more on the back nine to reach an individual total of 11 under.
His teammate Cilliers Craig also performed well, posting six under par, highlighted by two eagles on the par-five third hole and par-four ninth hole.
‘My golf today was good; I picked it from where I left yesterday. I kept the ball on the greens, my putting was so good, and I’m satisfied,’ said Van Der Vyver. ‘Today was a totally different experience from the first dayI’m happy with the weather, it’s warmer and beautiful.’
For Kenya, Royal Nairobi Golf Club’s Mwathi Gicheru returned the team’s best score with a level par 72, featuring three birdies and an eagle, though he dropped five bogeys.
In the girls’ competition, South Africarepresented by Phenyo Sebata, Lourenda Steyn, and Casey Twidaleestablished an 11-point lead after completing the second round at eight under par.
Kenya, represented by Bianca Ngecu, Kanana Muthomi, and Belinda Wanjiru, are second on three over par.
Sebata led South Africa’s charge with a score of three under, recording four birdies and dropping a single shot.
Boys Leaderboard After Round Two:
South Africa -18
Kenya +12
Uganda +18
Morocco +18
Zimbabwe +25
Zambia +27
Mauritius +37
Botswana +38
Namibia +41
Ghana +57
Egypt +61
Tanzania +63
Côte d’Ivoire +74
Egypt +91
Girls Leaderboard After Round Two:
South Africa -8
Kenya +3
Morocco +22
Tunisia +27
Zimbabwe +29
Uganda +47
Ghana +57
Botswana +57
Mauritius +70
Zambia +92
Egypt +108