SA duo claim top 20s in Scotland

South Africa’s leading amateur Christiaan Bezuidenhout and recent Lytham Trophy champion Thriston Lawrence both finished inside the top 20 at the Carrick Neil Scottish Open Stroke Play Championship on Sunday.

Bezuidenhout from Ekurhuleni navigated the lightning fast greens at the par-70 Panmure Links in Angus in rounds of 71, 71 and 70 and braved the windy conditions in the final round with a 74 to finish 19th on six-over-par 286.

The Ernie Els and Fancourt Foundation member finished one stroke ahead of Lawrence.

The 17-year-old Mpumalanga player also opened with back-to-back 71s, but a 76 in the third round saw him drop outside the top 20. However, the double Sanlam SA Amateur champion vaulted to a tie for 20th with a closing 69.

Although Prince’s Grant Amateur winner NJ Arnoldi from Ekurhuleni improved eight shots on his opening 78, he missed the cut, set at five-over, by three shots.

Meanwhile Ireland’s Gavin Moynihan came from behind and beat Geoff Drakeford from Australia for the prestigious title.

Moynihan began the final round six strokes behind the Australian, who led through the first three rounds. Helped by an eagle at the par-five 14th, the 22-year-old Walker Cup player carded a final round 67 to finish on five-under-par 275.

The South African trio met up with compatriots Zander Lombard, Louis Taylor, SA Stroke Play champion Jason Smith and team manager, Llewellyn van Leeuwen on Sunday evening.

The SA team will compete in the Andrews Links Trophy from 6 – 8 June. Following a Test against a side from the Scottish Golf Union, the six-pack will line up in the prestigious Amateur Championship at Royal Portrush and Portstewart from 16-21 June.

Written and released by Lali Stander on behalf of the South African Golf Association.

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