Buenos Aires, Argentina (15 November 2015) – South Africa’s Tristen Strydom and Teaghan Gauche closed the gap on the joint leaders in the International Team Competition at the 44th Juan Carlos Tailhade Cup in Argentina on Saturday.
Gauche and Strydom combined for 141 in the second round at Los Lagartos Country Club in Buenos Aires to take the South African team’s total to 289.
The duo lags four strokes behind Argentina and Brazil, who joined overnight leaders Australia in pole position.
Matias Simaski (68) and Nicolas Lezcano (72) from Argentina combined for 140, Anthony Quale (69) and John Cameron (73) posted 142, while Herik Oliveira fired a low 68 and Andre Tourinho added a 69 to give Brazil a second round total of 137 and a share of three-way lead at 285.
Gauche eliminated a bogey at four with birdie at the par-four fifth. Further gains at 11 and 15 saw the Gauteng North golfer sign for a two-under-par 69.
Strydom followed a bogey start with an albatross at the par-five second, but immediately lost the advantage with a double bogey at the par-three third.
The Ekurhuleni golfer birdied six to turn one under, but posted a one over 72 after further drops at 10 and 17.
It was certainly a much better effort from Strydom after a disappointing 77 in the first round and a hopeful sign that the 18-year-old is regaining the form that carried him to the number one spot in the Open Amateur rankings before a back injury took him out of the game for several months.
Simaski continues to lead the Individual Competition at five under 137.
The Argentinean leads by two from Canadian Eric Banks and is three strokes ahead of Gauche, who shares third with Quale from Australia.
SECOND ROUND LEADERBOARD
285 Australia 143 – 142; Argentina 145 – 140; Brazil 148 – 137
288 Canada 149 – 139
289 South Africa 148 – 141
291 Switzerland 147 – 144
292 Uruguay 149 – 143
294 Chile 150 – 144; Italy 148 – 146
298 Mexico 149 – 149; Ireland 151 – 147
299 Spain 155 – 144
301 Portugal 150 – 151
302 Peru 153 – 149
304 Colombia 150 – 154
312 Venezuela 156 – 156
SCORING:
Click HERE to view the Team Competition
Click HERE to view the Individual Competition
PHOTO – Teaghan Gauche; credit Catherine Kotze / SASPA