Rebula reels in top 15 at St Andrews
South Africa’s top ranked Jovan Rebula enjoyed a top 15 finish in the St Andrews Links Trophy, while Conor O’Rourke from Ireland denied Scottish golfer Sandy Scott a home victory at the famous Old Course on Sunday.
Last week Kyle McClatchie was the lone South African left standing in the Carrick Neill Scottish Open Stroke Play Championship and this time Rebula was the sole survivor.
The 18-year-old from Southern Cape made a fast start with an opening 67 at the New Course at St Andrews and was six under par after a second round 70 at the Old Course, but he slipped out of the top 20 after carding a third round 75 that featured a lone birdie against four bogeys.
The George golfer countered four dropped shots in windy conditions in the final round with birdies at five, nine, 14 and 18 to sign for an even-par 72 and a share of 15th on three-under-par 284 with Argentina’s Jesus Montenegro, Travis Smyth from Australia and Sigot Lopez from Spain.
Fellow South African Jason Smith opened with a one under 70 and Angus Ellis-Clole, James du Preez and Aubrey Beckley were also in good shape with even-par 71s at the New Course, but they all missed the cut after Smith carded a 75, Ellis Cole followed with a 73, Du Preez shot 74 and Beckley returned a 77 at the Old Course.
A pot bunker at the New Course also cost Albert Venter the chance to play the weekend.
The Gauteng North golfer hit his tee shot at the 12th hole into the bunker and his trap shot caught the lip. He walked off with a double bogey and dropped the next two holes as well. He signed for a 74 and, despite firing a two-under-par 70 at the Old Course, missed the cut – set at one under – by one agonising shot.
O’Rourke carded rounds of 65, 69, 71 and 70 to celebrate a one stroke victory on 12 under 275.
SA RESULT
284 Jovan Rebula 67 70 75 72
144 Albert Venter 74 70; Angus Ellis-Cole 71 73
145 Jason Smith 70 75; James du Preez 71 74
146 Andre Nel 73 73; Tristen Strydom 72 74
147 Kyle McClatchie 74 73; Aubrey Beckley 71 77
View the full scoreboard from the St Andrews Links Trophy at:
http://salt.intelligentgolf.co.uk/competition.php?compid=3243&preview=1
Written and released by Lali Stander on behalf of the South African Golf Association.