Graeme Watson from Ekurhuleni took a huge step towards a maiden senior title when he opened up a three-shot lead in the South African Senior Amateur Championship.

Watson already owns one flagship title, having won the SA Mid-Amateur Championship in 2014.

The 50-year-old opened with an even-par 72 and started the second round one shot behind Andre van Dyk from Boland at Hermanus Golf Club.

After a birdie start at 10, the Ebotse golfer moved to two-under with a birdie at 11, but gave back a shot at 12. He regained the lead with a pair of birdies at 16 and 17, and catapulted to the top of the pile after firing nine straight pars on his back nine for a three-under-par 69.

Ferdi van der Merwe from Boland carded successive rounds of 72 to move into second on 144.

Colin Mavuso from Border, Gauteng’s Richard Bruyns and Jock Wellington and Ramon Rahme from Ekurhuleni are a further two strokes back. Mavuso from Royal Port Alfred carded 71, Bruyns from The River Club and Glendower’s Rahme both shot 72, and three-time former champion Wellington from Kyalami registered a second round 73.

Van Dyk from Langebaan kept his title hopes alive with three birdies and a bogey over the first nine holes, and shared the lead with Watson starting the back nine.

After four straight pars from the first, an expensive triple bogey at the par four fifth proved costly. The reigning Players champion dropped three further shots over last four holes to sign for a 76 that saw him slip to tie for ninth at three-over.

Leading Second Round Scores (top 30)
141 Graeme Watson 72 69
144 Ferdi van der Merwe 72 72
146 Colin Mavuso 75 71; Richard Bruyns 74 72; Ramon Rahme 74 72; Jock Wellington 73 73
147 Morgan Phillips 75 72; Stephen Johnston 74 73; Andre van Dyk 71 76
148 Francois le Roux 74 74
149 Pieter Cooper 74 75
150 Craig Poulton 77 73; Rurik Gobel 75 75

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