Casey Jarvis surged into a one-stroke lead at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship on Friday, firing a second-round 67 at Kingsbarns to put himself in prime position for a third DP World Tour title of the year.
The 23-year-old South African caught fire on his front nine, stringing together six birdies in seven holes to reach 11 under par. Jarvis, who already boasts back-to-back victories at the Magical Kenya Open and Investec South African Open this season alongside a top-six finish at The Open, looked entirely in command of his game.
“I played really nicely,” Jarvis said after his round.
“My approach play was really good, I rolled in a few putts on my front nine, and I just felt really in control out there.”
Jarvis is aiming to become only the second South African to lift the trophy at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship, following Branden Grace’s triumph in 2012, with Sunday’s final round set for the St Andrews Old Course.
“You watch The Open growing up as a kid, and now to be in contention in a tournament like this—I’m just looking forward to getting out there over the weekend,” Jarvis added.
The South African presence at the top of the leaderboard does not stop with Jarvis. MJ Daffue sits just one shot back at 10 under par after signing for a 68 on the Old Course, sharing second place alongside England’s Matthew Jordan and Spain’s Rocco Repetto Taylor.
“It’s great to be here with so many South Africans—it’s one big family and a tight-knit community,” Daffue said. “My game has been trending in a good way and I love links golf. After a year and a half of grinding, things are coming together. Now I feel like I’m playing every tournament to win.”
The chasing pack remains heavily weighted with South African contenders, as Daniel Cronje, Brandon Stone, Daniel van Tonder, JC Ritchie, and Hennie du Plessis all sit within four shots of the lead heading into the weekend.
