Buchanan and Coetzer march to Africa Amateur pace

5 February 2026 – Overnight leader Lisa Coetzer maintained her grip on the lead in the Africa Amateur Women’s Invitational on Thursday, while Jack Buchanan surged into the lead at the halfway mark of the Africa Amateur Championship after carding a sensational seven-under-par 65 at Royal Johannesburg Golf Club.

Coetzer produced another composed level-par 72 to keep clear of the chasing pack. The 15-year-old Ekurhuleni junior’s second trip around the famed East Course featured four birdies, and she will start the final round three shots clear of compatriot Lourenda Steyn.

“I was struggling through the front nine,” Coetzer stated. “I really struggled mentally to get back from a birdie, bogey, bogey start, but I pulled it back by the eighth hole, and that birdie kind of got the momentum going into the back nine.

“My irons were a bit off, so I went to the range for a bit, but I’m feeling good. I’m happy going into tomorrow.”

Steyn also had a bumpy start, but the 16-year-old from Gauteng North went bogey-free on the home stretch and knocked in birdie putts at 14 and 16 for a round of 73.

“I’m feeling pretty confident now,” Steyn said. “I was very nervous playing this event for the first time. I had a bit of trouble on the front nine, but on the back nine I just told myself to keep it on the fairways and greens; the putts will eventually fall. I’m happy where I’m at; I’ll just take it shot by shot tomorrow.”

Defending champion Gia Raad is tied for third alongside Charlotte Millard, with the pair three shots further back.

Jack Buchanan fired a flawless 67 (-5) to take a two-shot lead at the halfway mark of the 2026 Africa Amateur Championship; credit GolfRSA

Flawless from start to finish, Buchanan fired seven birdies in a commanding display of control and confidence, including an outstanding tee shot at the par-three 16th to set up his sixth birdie of the day. A birdie finish took the 21-year-old Capetonian to 11-under-par through 36 holes.

The University of Southern California student will start moving day with a two-shot cushion over first-round leader Ivan Verster.

“I got off to a decent start, birdieing three of the first five or six holes so that was a nice start,” Buchanan said. “Then I just kind of continued the momentum going forward; just hitting the ball close and hitting fairways. It was nice to kind of make that many birdies in a round of golf for a change.

“There are still two more rounds to go, but I’m swinging it well, feeling well, so I’m excited for the last two rounds.”

Southern Cape’s Verster stayed in contention with another solid performance, signing for a four-under-par 68. “I got off to quite a hot start, but the putter was cold on the back nine,” he said. “I shot four-under on the front nine, but only level par on the back nine. I’m happy I’m hitting my irons good, so giving myself enough chances. Hopefully the putter just heats up.

“Going into tomorrow I’m feeling good. There is still a lot of golf left so anything can happen. I just want to give myself a chance.”

Malan Potgieter, the number one player for the Louisiana’s Ragin’ Cajun golf team, also went low with a 67 to join Andries van der Vyver in a share of third place. The pair is five shots off the lead and one ahead of Egypt’s Issa Abou El Ela and two shots clear of defending champion Bryan Newman. is tied for sixth.

A total of 47 players will contest the final two rounds on Friday and Saturday after the 36-hole cut to 40 players and ties fell at 12-over.

The Africa Amateur Championship, which is in its third year, aims to provide a platform for the continent’s finest amateur golfers.

The champion will receive exemptions into The 154th Open at Royal Birkdale, The Amateur Championship, the Alfred Dunhill Championship, the Investec South African Open and the Waterfall City Tournament of Champions powered by Attacq. The winner of the Africa Amateur Women’s Invitational will earn starts in The Women’s Amateur Championship, Final Qualifying for the AIG Women’s Open, Joburg Ladies Open, The Investec South African Women’s Open and the Waterfall City Tournament of Champions powered by Attacq.