Porteous comes close at Scottish Amateur
Reigning South African Stroke Play champion Haydn Porteous overcame damaging middle rounds to tie for second at the Carrick Neill Scottish Stroke Play Championship at Kilmarnock in Barassie, Scotland on Sunday.
In the first round, Porteous took full advantage of gloriously sunny weather on the Scottish west coast and hit the front a superb course record 65.
But the 17-year-old Modderfontein golfer struggled to navigate the links layout in the windy conditions on day two and came home with a disappointing second round 75. The wind stayed and his woes continued on Sunday morning when he slipped further from contention with a 78.
Over the last 18 holes, the gritty campaigner fought fearlessly and hauled himself back up into contention with an eagle-birdie-birdie finish that saw him sign off on a closing 68 to tie Australia’s Rory Bourke for second on six-under-par 286.
The pair finished four shots off the pace from French champion Paul Barjon, who also launched a late surge to clinch the victory.
“The opportunity to play against so many of the world’s top amateurs, has been invaluable,” said Porteous. “We had to battle elements we’re not used to and that really challenged all of us. But so far, it’s been an incredible experience.”
Drikus Bruyns was the only other South African in the eight-man line up to make the cut, which came at level par 146 and left just 41 players to contest the final two rounds.
The Boland golfer enjoyed a strong start with rounds of 73-72, but spiralled downward with a third round 80 and final round 82 to finish on 15 over par.
The six-man SA squad, including Porteous, Bruyns, Shaun Smith from Southern Cape, Ekurhuleni’s Gert Myburgh, Limpopo’s CJ du Plessis and JP Strydom from the Western Province, will tee it up in the St Andrews Links Trophy at the St Andrews Old and New Courses from 8-10 June. The team will also compete in the British Amateur Championship scheduled for Royal Troon from 18-23 June.
Final SA Results
282 Paul Barjon FRA 70-71-72-68
286 Haydn Porteous 65-75-78-68; Rory Bourke AUS 69-71-73-73
307 Drikus Bruyns 73-72-80-82
Missed cut:
148 Shaun Smith 74-74
149 Gert Myburgh 72-77
150 CJ du Plessis 75-75; Michael Loppnow 76-73
151 Brandon Stone 76-75
152 JP Strydom 75-79