Rae lights up Pearl Valley

Rae MackiePAARL (5 February 2008) – Little-known Limpopo golfer Rae Mackie took advantage of Pearl Valley’s surprisingly benign conditions to take the early lead in the SA Amateur Stroke Play Championship.

The 22 year old carded a five-under-par 67 to lead by one stroke from precocious teenager Victor Duibuisson. The Frenchman signed for a four-under-par 68.

“I’ll take this score any day of the week,” Mackie said. “ I just went out there and had fun.”

Mackie, who went round in nines of 33 and 34 said he had very little expectation coming into the tournament. “I didn’t expect much this week. I just wanted to have fun and enjoy my golf. I often try too hard and it doesn’t come off for me.”

Duibuisson’s round could have been so much better had he not double bogeyed the 17th hole.

“I was joking about the player at the SA Open who hit the ball in the water, and then I go and put it in there myself,” the frustrated 17 year old explained.

The Cannes-based player was four-under-par through nine holes but his five at the par-3 penultimate hole saw him finish level on the back nine.

Parow Golf Club’s Le Riche Ehlers lies alone in third after a three-under-par 69.

Of the pre-tournament favourites, Johan Du Buisson carded a one-under-par 71, Dylan Frittelli a one-over-par 73 and Ruan Botha ballooned to a nine-over-par 81.

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