NJ Arnoldi’s fine form at Centurion Country Club continued as the Silver Lakes golfer stretched his overnight lead to four shots in round two of the Race to Q-School #9.

After setting the first round target with a flawless nine-under-par 63, Arnoldi fired a 66 on Tuesday to set the 36-hole target at 15-under-par 129.

Dean O’Riley made a strong case for a third title this season with a superb 65 that included a trio of birdies on the front nine, a single drop at 10 and four successive birdies from the 11th.

Wingate Park amateur Fanie Wolmarans offset a double bogey at six with nine birdies to match O’Riley’s 65 for a share of second at 11 under.

Clayton Mansfield and Malcolm Mitchell posted respective rounds of 68 and 65 and the KwaZulu-Natal amateur pair will start Wednesday’s final round six off the pace.

Arnoldi picked up four birdies on his outward loop and surrendered a lone shot at the par four sixth among three more gains coming home.

Although he didn’t replicate the fireworks of his opening gambit, but the 24-year-old Pretoria native was nevertheless pleased to protect his lead and open up a gap on the field.

“Unfortunately I left the ball short with my approach at sixth and I didn’t execute a pretty easy up-and-down to save par. I hit the chip shot too firmly and the ball shot past the pin and I missed the return putt for par. Aside from that one glitch on my card, I was flawless through the first nine holes, but I must admit that I lost a bit of focus on the back nine. It was incredibly hot and I hit a couple of lose shots. I did well to save par on all but one hole. Like I said, I let an easy one go at six,” he said.

Arnoldi believes that he is in a good position and that he will be able to convert this lead into a victory.

“I love Centurion because it always serves up some birdies, but I don’t remember a time at this course in the last three years where 37 players were in red figures after two rounds. This year’s Race to Q-School is seriously competitive, so I’m looking forward to a nice tussle in the final round,” Arnoldi concluded.

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