14 October 2015 – The South African team made a very sombre start in the second round of the Spirit International at Whispering Pines Golf Club in in Texas on Tuesday after their disqualification from the Team Competition.
Teaghan Gauche and Matthew Spacey were disqualified from the Men’s Competition after submitting an incorrect scorecard in the first round, and although top ranked pair Ivanna Samu and Kaleigh Telfer remain in the Women’s Competition for the duration of the championship, the disqualification ended South Africa’s title bid for this year.
“Teaghan and Matthew signed for a 71 in the first round, having collectively made six birdies and five bogeys,” explained Womens Golf South Africa president Karen Olivant.
“However, when they viewed the scorecards on the live scoring, they noticed that Teaghan had been allocated two and Matthew four birdies.”
Both players had three birdies apiece and thought their scores had been entered incorrectly.
WGSA national coach Val Holland took the matter to the organisers and upon further investigation, it was confirmed that the players had signed for incorrect scores.
“This was a big blow to the team, as it meant that Teaghan and Matthew were disqualified from the Men’s Competition and the team could no longer contest the Team Competition.
“The girls were not affected in the Women’s Competition, and all four players can still play for a spot in an event on the PGA Tour and LPGA Tour in the Men’s and Women’s Birdie Competitions.”
Samu and Telfer opened with a 74 and combined for a one-under-par 71 in round two to finish 19th in the Women’s Competition.
“Ivanna and Kaleigh got off to a slow start with a string of pars and no putts dropping,” Holland said.
“After turning in one over, the back nine served up two birdies and the girls finished one under to take their total to one-over-par 145.
“Teaghan reeled in birdies at one, five, 12 and 17 to offset drops at three and 16, while Matthew cancelled bogeys at four and 16 with birdies at 15 and 18.
“Although the mood was pretty sombre at the start of the day, the team decided to make the best of this experience and they remain in high spirits, despite the setback.”
The USA put themselves in a strong position to hunt down their fourth victory in the prestigious championship.
The team combined for 128 to join Mexico at the top of the standings in the Team Competition at 25-under-par 263.
The men’s team posted a sublime 60 to take the lead in Mens Competition on 18 under 126 and will start the fourth round with a four stroke lead over Australia.
Mexico held on to their overnight lead in the Women’s Competition with a 67 and tops the standings on 13-under-par 131. The US women’s team is tied for seventh on seven under 137 with England and the Republic of Korea.
TEAM LEADERBOARD
263 Mexico 134 129; United States 135 128
267 France 135 132
270 Japan 131 139; Finland 137 133
271 Spain 133 138
272 Sweden 138 134
273 England 137 136; Belgium 131 142
274 Denmark 136 138; Norway 130 144
275 Republic of Korea 132 143; Australia 139 136
276 Switzerland 135 141
277 Scotland 142 135
278 Italy 136 142; Argentina 138 140
280 Canada 141 139; Colombia 141 139
DQ South Africa
WOMEN’S LEADERBOARD (top five)
131 Mexico 64 67
133 Japan 65 68; Belgium 64 69
134 France 67 67
135 Finland 67 68; Sweden 69 66
MEN’S LEADERBOARD (top five)
126 United States 66 –63
129 Australia 65 64
132 Mexico 60 62
133 France 68 65; Spain 66 67
PHOTO – Teaghan Gauche and Matt Space on the driving range at the Spirit International; credit WGSA
View the leaderboards at http://www.thespiritgolf.com/2015liveinsights.html