African Amateur Stroke Play takes place at tough South African course
England duo Sam Bairstow and Zach Chegwidden finished in the top ten at the African Amateur Stroke Play Championship in South Africa today.
FORMAT: 72-hole strokeplay
The stunning Leopard Creek course hosted some of the best amateurs in the world and home player Casey Jarvis steered his way around to great effect to win by four shots.
A further 16 shots further back were the English pair although for Essex ace Chegwidden it was a case of what might have been. At halfway he was just two back but a poor front nine yesterday cost him dear.
The 2021 Berkshire Trophy champion opened with a superb 67 to share the lead on day one and then overcame the disappointment of a triple bogey eight on the 15th to stay in the hunt 24 hours later.
However a pair of closing 76s saw him drop out of contention.
For Yorkshireman Bairstow, the English strokeplay champion, progress was a much steadier affair. He opened with a first round 73 and followed that up with a 71, 72 and 73 for a 289 final total.
Auchterarder’s Rory Franssen was one of four Scottish entrants and recovered well from carding a ten at the infamous par five 18th in round three. He closed with a 69 to finish 12th and two shots clear of fellow countryman Jack Broun (Turnberry). One entrant racked up a 12 on the hole that features an island green.