Meichtry and Myeki heading for EP Match Play clash
Top Swiss amateur Azelia Meichtry claimed her third amateur title on South African soil in the Eastern Province Championship on Sunday.
The Sierre golfer edged out Zethu Myeki from Border by three strokes on even-par 144 to lift the Stroke Play division title in the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality sponsored event at Port Elizabeth Golf Club.
Meichtry captured the Nomads WGWP Junior Championship in early 2015 and won the Girls Division of the Global Junior Golf Tour’s Curro South Africa Juniors International in March.
The KeNako Academy player was in threatening form during the recent Chase to the Investec Cup for Ladies event on the Sunshine Ladies Tour and sounded a warning to her South African rivals with a tie for 11th at Houghton.
Meichtry offset four bogeys with three birdies and an eagled at the par-five 18th at Port Elizabeth Golf Club, which handed her a 71. Myeki finished one stroke back after offsetting five bogeys for a 72.
The Swiss amateur followed a birdie start with a run of five pars, but was two over after a bogey at seven and double bogey at eight. She bookended a bogey at 10 with birdies at nine and 11, and erased another drop at 16 with a birdie at 18 for a final round 73.
Myeki was two over with back-to-back bogeys at one and two and dropped further shots at four and 10, but the Ernie Els and Fancourt Foundation player protected the runner-up spot with a pair of birdies at 12 and 13 and five straight pars for a 75.
However, the West Bank golfer could avenge Sunday’s loss in the Match Play Championship.
“I was disappointed that I didn’t make some birdies over the last five holes to have a chance at a play-off, but overall I am pleased with my form,” Myeki said.
“The drills I was given to improve my game at the National Elite Squad Camp are starting to take shape and hopefully I can fight my way to the final and have a stab at the Match Play title.”
Both players have a first round bye, but they will join the action in the quarter-final on Monday morning.
Meichtry will play the winner of the match between Gauteng North’s Danielle du Toit and Klara Wildhaber in the semi-final, while Myeki – on the other side of the draw – will go up against the victor of the match between Cloe Grand and Vere Raguth.
Meanwhile the country’s top ranked Kaleigh Telfer was well off the pace after an opening 78, but the Ernie Els and Fancourt Foundation player rallied with a 71 for third on five over 149.
Recent Nomads WGWP Junior Championship winner Woo Ju Son took fourth on six over with rounds of 74 and 76.
FINAL RESULT – TOP 10
144 Azelia Meichtry SUI 71 73
147 Zethu Myeki 72 75
149 Kaleigh Telfer 78 71
150 Woo-Ju Son 74 76
151 Ivanna Samu 74 77
154 Yolande Duma 80 74; Kajal Mistry 77 77; Kaiyuree Moodley 79 75
156 Millie Ruby Zim-Dondashe 79 77
157 Symone Henriques 79 78
Written and released by Lali Stander on behalf of Womens Golf South Africa.