GEORGE (2 March 2016) – Zimbabwean Kieran Vincent, the younger brother to American-based professional Scott Vincent, took out South Africa’s number two and three-ranked players on day two of the Sanlam SA Amateur Championship at George Golf Club on Wednesday.
In the morning’s second round, Vincent beat SA number three Herman Loubser on the 21st hole. It was an incredible contest in which Loubser fought back with birdies at 17 and 18 to keep the match alive before eventually losing to Vincent’s birdie on the 21st hole.
Then in the afternoon’s third round, Vincent knocked out SA number two Tristen Strydom 2&1. Strydom was 2Up at the turn and Vincent responded with five straight birdies to take the match.
“These are two of the big names in South African amateur golf and I’m very humbled to have beaten them. I didn’t think I’d get this far. I’m very pleased,” said Vincent,
Kieran will be taking up a golf scholarship at Liberty University this August, with his brother Scott having had great success at Virginia Tech before turning professional.
“I’ve got big shoes to fill. Scott’s a great golfer, and not many people know about me. I’m just a small-town kid trying to make a living from golf one day,” said the 18-year-old.
His Thursday morning quarterfinal will be against Central Gauteng’s Dylan Naidoo.
Naidoo played his way into the quarters when he beat Central Gauteng’s David Meyers and then George Golf Club’s Nicholas Mitchell, both 2&1.
“It was a long, mentally draining day,” said Naidoo. “I’m looking forward to playing against Kieran. I’ve known him for a while and he’s a great golfer.”
South African number one Marco Steyn went through with a 4&3 victory over Gauteng North’s James du Preez. He will face Central Gauteng’s David McIntyre, who beat Ekurhuleni’s Kyle McClatchie on the 20th hole.
The Scots have their last hopes of retaining this title resting on the shoulders of Craig Ross, while India’s challenge ended with the third-round exit of Yashab Chandra.
Other Round 2 casualties included the Southern Cape’s Jovan Rebula, a finalist last year, and Western Province’s Luca Filippi.
Match Play Result for Round 2
Tristen Strydom beat Philip Kruse 3 & 1
Kieran Vincent ZIM beat Herman Loubser 21st hole
Dylan Naidoo beat David Meyers 2 & 1
Nicholas Mitchell beat Luca Filippi 6 & 5
Calum Fyfe beat Alistair Snowdon 5 & 4
Jamie Bower ENG beat Emilio Pera 4 & 2
Loris Shuepback SUI beat Altin van der Merwe 1-up
Albert Venter beat Sandy Scott (SCO) 3 & 2
Craig Ross SCO beat Fezekile Kana 3 & 2
Paul Kinnear SCO beat Andrew van der Knaap 19th hole
Yashab Chandra IND beat Darin de Smidt 4 & 3
Matt Saulez beat Jovan Rebula 5 & 4
David Mcintyre beat Deon Germishuys 4 & 3
Kyle McClatchie beat Kyle Barker 2 & 1
Marco Steyn beat Luke Mayo 4 & 2
James du Preez beat Sentanio Minnie 3 & 1
Match Play Result for Round 3
Kieran Vincent ZIM beat Tristen Strydom 2 & 1
Dylan Naidoo beat Nicholas Mitchell 2 & 1
Jamie Bower ENG 3 & 1 beat Calum Fyfe SCO
Loris Schuepbach SUI beat Albert Venter 2 & 1
Matt Saulez beat Yashab Chandra IND 1-up
Craig Ross SCO beat Paul Kinnear ENG 1Up
David McIntyre beat Kyle McClatchie 20th hole
Marco Steyn beat James du Preez 4 & 3.
Quarterfinal Draw
Kieran Vincent ZIM v Dylan Naidoo
Jamie Bower ENG v Loris Schuepbach SUI
Craig Ross SCO v Matt Saulez
David McIntyre v Marco Steyn
PHOTO: Zimbabwean Kieran Vincent knocked out two of South Africa’s young stars on his way to the quarterfinals of the Sanlam SA Amateur Championship at George Golf Club. Credit: Pieter Els.