ST ANDREWS, Scotland (6 June 2016) – South Africa’s top ranked Jovan Rebula enjoyed a top 15 finish in the St Andrews Links Trophy, while Conor O’Rourke from Ireland denied Scottish golfer Sandy Scott a home victory at the famous Old Course on Sunday.Last week Kyle McClatchie was the lone South African left standing in the Carrick Neill Scottish Open Stroke Play Championship and this time Rebula was the sole survivor.
The 18-year-old from Southern Cape made a fast start with an opening 67 at the New Course at St Andrews and was six under par after a second round 70 at the Old Course, but he slipped out of the top 20 after carding a third round 75 that featured a lone birdie against four bogeys.
The George golfer countered four dropped shots in windy conditions in the final round with birdies at five, nine, 14 and 18 to sign for an even-par 72 and a share of 15th on three-under-par 284 with Argentina’s Jesus Montenegro, Travis Smyth from Australia and Sigot Lopez from Spain.
Fellow South African Jason Smith opened with a one under 70 and Angus Ellis-Clole, James du Preez and Aubrey Beckley were also in good shape with even-par 71s at the New Course, but all four players missed the cut, set at one under, after Smith carded a 75, Ellis Cole followed with a 73, Du Preez shot 74 and Beckley returned a 77 at the Old Course.
A pot bunker at the New Course also cost Albert Venter his chance to play the weekend.
The Gauteng North golfer hit his tee shot at the 12th hole into the bunker and his trap shot caught the lip. He walked off with a double bogey and dropped the next two holes as well. He signed for a 74, but despite firing a two-under-par 70 at the Old Course, missed by one agonising shot.
O’Rourke carded rounds of 65, 69, 71 and 70 to celebrate a one stroke victory on 12 under 275.
SA RESULT
284 Jovan Rebula (Southern Cape) 67 70 75 72
144 Albert Venter (Gauteng North) 74 70; Angus Ellis-Cole (Ekurhuleni) 71 73
145 Jason Smith (Gauteng North) 70 75; James du Preez (Gauteng North) 71 74
146 Andre Nel (Southern Cape) 73 73; Tristen Strydom (Ekurhuleni) 72 74
147 Kyle McClatchie (Ekurhuleni) 74 73; Aubrey Beckley (North West) 71 77
To view the full scoreboard from the St Andrews Links Trophy, click HERE:
PHOTO – Gauteng North’s Albert Venter; credit Ernest Blignault.