Van Tonder takes lead at Karen Masters

A new leader, Daniel van Tonder emerged at the top of the leaderboard as the 2018 KCB Karen Masters entered its half way stage at the par 72 Karen Country Club on Friday.

Van Tonder, who is from Durban Country Club in KwaZulu Natal, fired a brilliant seven under par 65, to grab a one shot lead on a two rounds total of 11 under par 133.

Van Tonder, who is being cardied by his wife Abigael, dropped his only shot of the day at the fifth, having picked up three birdies on the first three holes.

It was at the back nine where Tonder, who was the company of Kenyan pro Dismas Indiza and another South African J.J.Senekal, turned on the heat, rolling in five birdies, coming from the 10th, 12th, 15th, and the last two holes of the back nine. He will be teeing off in Saturday’s round with day one leader Merrick Bremner who shot three under par 69 to lead on 10 under par 134 until Tonder arrived with his excellent score.

“I had some issues with my putter particularly at the 12th and 14th where I three-putted. I made some good putts particularly at the front nine though," said Bremner, who made his birdies on the third, seventh and eighth and at the 10th and 18th.

Philip Geerts and J.C. Ritchie shot 67 and 66 and are definitely in the hunt for the top prize of Sh2.4 million.

The leader board:

Daniel van Tonder -11- 68, 65 = 133
Merrick Bremner – 10- 65, 69 = 134
JC Ritchie – 9- 69, 66 = 135
Philip Geerts -9- 68, 67 = 135
Michael Palmer – 8- 70, 66 = 136
Ruan Conradie -8- 67, 69 = 136
Pieter Moolman- 8- 68, 68 = 136
Tyron Ryan -6- 68, 70 = 138
Jake Roos- 6- 68, 70 = 138
Anton Haig -6- 66, 72 = 138
Justin Harding- 6- 69, 69 = 138
Martin Rohwer -6- 70, 68 = 138