Bezuidenhout crashes out of Sanlam SA Amateur
South Africa’s number one ranked amateur, Christiaan Bezuidenhout, was knocked out in the first round of the Sanlam SA Amateur Championship at Hermanus Golf Club on Tuesday.
The Nigel golfer went into the match play event full of confidence after finishing the two rounds of qualifying tied third. But after a fierce battle, Scotland’s Ben Kinsley proved too strong on the day, eventually taking the first round match on the 20th hole.
Kinsley will go on to play Jason Viljoen in the second round on Wednesday. That’s after Viljoen claimed a comfortable 6 and 5 win over Bryanston Country Club’s Andrew Carlsson.
South African number two Zander Lombard had a happier time of it, though. The Woodhill Country Club golfer won 3 and 2 against Krugersdorp’s Jason Rossiter and will take on Hendrik du Plessis in the second round.
“It was a perfect day today, perfect weather and the greens are great so you can definitely hole a few putts,” said Lombard. “Today I wasn’t very consistent off the tee but I definitely up-and-downed well.”
“I think I’ve got a very good game plan. It’s conservative but consistent. But that’s all you need on this course. It’s a very tough course and keeping it in play is key.”
Earlier in the day, Monday’s stroke play champion Jovan Rebula safely negotiated his way through the first round of match play. The 16-year-old from George Golf Club won 2up against Paul Boschoff.
Rebula will go on to play Darin de Smidt in Wednesday’s second round after the Krugersdorp golfer defeated Kempton Park Country Club’s Jason Froneman 4 and 2.
Another star to crash out in the first round was top English amateur Toby Tree. He was defeated 3 and 1 by Modderfontein Golf Club’s Marco Steyn.
Defending champion Thriston Lawrence, who struggled a little in qualifying, managed to make it through round one unscathed, defeating Stellenbosch Golf Club’s Henri van der Walt 3 and 2.
Issued on behalf of the Sanlam SA Amateur Championship by Michael Vlismas Media.