GWANGJU, Korea (8 July 2015) – Teaghan Gauche was in blistering form on day one of the Men’s Golf Competition at the 2015 Summer Universiade in Korea and helped the South African team to seventh overall in the Men’s Team Competition on Wednesday.
The country’s number two ranked amateur fired an opening four-under-par 68 at Naju Gold Lake Country Club to tie for second in the individual competition with Michael Howard from Great Britain.
The pair lag one stroke off the pace from Thailand’s Natipong Srithong.
Fellow Gauteng North golfer Jason Smith contributed a 76 for a team total of even-par 144, while Andrew van der Knaap – making his international debut this week – carded a non-counting 78.
The South African team finished eight strokes behind Thailand, and five behind Great Britain.
TuksGolf Club & Academies head coach Llewellyn van Leeuwen said all three players were very solid in their opening gambit.
“We played the front nine in absolutely perfect weather conditions, but we started the back nine in wet weather and the wind was quite strong over the last seven holes,” Van Leeuwen said.
“The pins were very fair and the greens were quite soft, even more receptive than we experienced in the practice rounds.
“Teaghan’s tactical play was faultless and when he had the chance to take advantage of the easier holes, he stuck it within eight feet every time.
“He was incredibly hot with the putter and made four great putts down the home stretch for his 69. I think he could easily have made seven or eight under par on the back nine.”
“Jase was very good on the par fives and his pitching around the greens was also very good. It really looks so good to watch him swing when he’s in his happy place.
“If he can find some form with the flat stick and iron out one or two tactical errors, he’ll come back and challenge by the end of the week. He certainly has the ability, but the course will test his courage and patience to the maximum.”
“Andrew’s long game and tactical play was on point, but he just needs to put that beautiful putting stroke of his into action. He just doubted his reads and execution too many times, but he has the character to change this as early as tomorrow.”
TEAMS LEADERBOARD – TOP 10
136 Thailand
139 Great Britain
140 Republic of Korea
142 Japan; Ireland
143 France
144 South Africa
146 Canada; Chinese Taipei
147 Switzerland
INDIVIDUAL LEADERBOARD – TOP 10
67 Natipong Srithong THA
68 Teaghan Gauche RSA; Michael Howard GBR
69 Jefferson Lloyd PHI; Kammalas Namuangruk THA; Sung Ho Yun KOR
71 Craig Chalmers GBR; Kazuki Higa JAP; Hanbyeol Kim KOR, Kenta Konishi JAP, Nicolas Platret FRA, Taihei Sato JAP, Warit Boonrod THA
For more news from the 2015 Summer Universiade, please visit the official website at http://www.gwangju2015.com/ or view the South African progress at http://www.sascoc.co.za
PHOTO – South Africa’s number two ranked Teaghan Gauche led the SA challenge in the opening round of the 2015 Summer Universiade in Korea on Thursday; credit Roger Sedres / Image SA.