GWANGJU, Korea (11 July 2015) – Andrew van der Knaap and Jason Smith produced a solid final round 140 to lift South Africa to ninth overall in the 20-team Men’s Golf Competition at the Summer Universiade in Gwangju, Korea on Saturday.

Van der Knaap, inspired by long-time friend Brandon Stone’s six-under-par 66 on the Challenge Tour, toured the Naju Gold Lake Country Club layout in 69 strokes.

Fellow Gauteng North golfers Jason Smith contributed a 71 and Teaghan Gauche a non-counting 76.

The strong finish from Van der Knap and Smith took South Africa’s 72-hole tally to 581.

“Andrew played the same as every other day, but today a few more putts went in,” said TuksGolf Club & Academies head coach Llewellyn van Leeuwen.

“He was faultless tee to green and the only blemish on an otherwise flawless card was a three-putt bogey at the fourth.

“Jason played really well and got it to three under through 11 holes. He dropped three shots in succession, but rallied with a birdie at the sixth to finish one under.

“Teags battled with a very disappointing short game all week. He will take the last few days in Korea to rejuvenate.

“Once we get home, Teags needs to work hard on his game before he leaves for Slovakia in August to compete in the European Amateur Championship at the Penati Resort.”

Meanwhile the Japanese team combined for a final round 135 to leapfrog third round pacesetter Thailand and grab gold on 554.

France combined for a final round 137 to claim silver on 557, while the host nation settled for bronze on 561 after carding a final round 142.

Kazuki Higa from Japan dislodged Thai golfer Natipong Srithong to claim double gold for Japan in the Individual Competition.

Higa carded rounds of 71, 69, 67 and 66 to triumph on 15-under 273. Nicolas Platret from France and Srithong, who led for the first three rounds, tied on 14 under.

FINAL RESULT (top 10)
554 Japan 142 139 138 135
557 France 143 137 140 137
561 Republic of Korea 140 136 143 142
561 Thailand 136 145 135 145
571 United Kingdom 139 152 140 140
574 Canada 146 142 144 142
578 Chinese Taipei 146 144 144 144
579 Ireland 142 142 146 149
581 South Africa 144 150 147 140
584 Switzerland 147 148 140 149

PHOTO – Gauteng North’s Andrew van der Knaap fired a final round 69 (3) at the 2015 Summer Universiade in Korea; credit USSA.

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 / Follow live updates, results and photos on Facebook – 2015 Gwangju Summer Universiade