Verster and Coetzer set early pace in Johannesburg

Home hopes shine as Africa’s leading amateurs seize control on opening day

South Africa’s Ivan Verster and Lisa Coetzer emerged as the early leaders after the opening day of the Africa Amateur Championship and Africa Amateur Women’s Invitational at Royal Johannesburg on February 4.

Verster, 22, produced a polished five-under-par 67 on the East Course, mixing seven birdies with just two dropped shots to move one clear of Charl Barnard and Jack Buchanan, with Johndre Ludick another stroke back.

Runner-up in the inaugural championship in 2024, Verster showed the composure earned from experience, while defending champion Bryan Newman opened with a 73 and Daniel Bennett, the top-ranked player in the field, signed for a three-over round.

There was also a moment to savour for Zimbabwe’s Munesu Chimhini, who celebrated his 15th birthday by holing a long putt on the 16th for back-to-back birdies on his way to a one-over 73.

In the women’s event, 15-year-old Coetzer set the tone with an even-par 72, opening with two birdies in her first three holes to claim a one-shot lead over Charlotte Millard, while defending champion Gia Raad finished four off the pace.

Now in its third staging and making its debut at Royal Johannesburg after two years at Leopard Creek, the championship continues to offer Africa’s leading amateurs a pathway to the game’s biggest stages, with exemptions to major international events awaiting the eventual winners.