FORSYTH WINS PLACE IN S AFRICAN OPEN BUT WARREN FAILS

By COLIN FARQUHARSON Colin@scottishgolfview.com Only four years ago this week, Marc Warren was a Scottish hero as he and Colin Montgomerie combined their talents to win the World Cup in China. But the glory has long gone for Warren. Today, playing in an 18-hole qualifying competition to try to get a place in the field for the South African Open, beginning on Thursday at the Serengeti Golf Estate, Johannesburg, Warren failed to make the required grade. But Alastair Forsyth, pictured, was equal to the task. He won himself a place in the main event  by finishing joint third on two-under-par 70 at Glendower Golf Club in one of three qualifying events over 18 holes. Only the top five at each of three venues qualified and Marc Warren failed to come through the eliminator at Benoni Country Club. Forsyth made it on the limit mark at Glendower from a field of 95 players. An eagle 3 at the long second gave him the early boost he needed and, after a bogey at the short second, he birdied the ninth to be out in 34. Another birdie at the long 13th was cancelled out by a bogey at the short 14th but he parred the last four holes under pressure, knowing he had no room for error. Warren shot a one-under-par 71 at Benoni Country Club. The qualifying mark for the leading five there was five-under 65 or better. Warren finished joint 18th.  Scots exempt from qualifying were David Drysdale, Scott Jamieson, George Murray, Elliot and Lloyd Saltman, Peter Whiteford and Alan McLean. Walker Cup player Michael Stewart, still an amateur, had a place in the field reserved for him as winner of the South African open amateur championship. Ranked No 13 amateur in the world, this will be Stewart's last tournament as an amateur. He will turn professional immediately after it although he has already failed to gain pass marks at the European Tour School Stage 1 and, more recently, the Alps Tour Q School. Stewart has signed up with Chubby Chandler's ISM management stable.   DALY SAYS NO TO INVITATION TO PLAY IN SOUTH AFRICAN OPEN

John Daly has turned down an invitation to play in the South African Open. He says he would rather wait another week and play in the Hong Kong Open.