CONOR O'NEIL ODD SCOT OUT FROM S AFRICA MATCH-PLAY

Six of the seven SGU Elite Squad competing in the South African amateur golf championship at Mowbray Golf Club, Cape Town have qualified for the match-play stages. Odd man out was Conor O'Neil (Pollok) whose total of 149 (71-78) was one shot too many to be involved in the tie-breaker on that mark. Brian Soutar (Leven Golfing Society) was joint fourth best ualifier on 136 with rounds of 71 and 65. The Fifer had five birdies and an eagle at the par-five 10th for his flawless second round which was matched by only two other players, including  the No 1 qualifier, South African Dylan Raubenheimer on 134 (69-65). "As titles go, I rate the South African Amateur just below the Scottish Amateur in terms of tournaments I’d like to win,” said Soutar. “It’s a prestigious tournament and it would be fantastic if the pay-off for all the hard work I’ve put in over the last six weeks, could be the trophy on Friday. “But this is match play and anything could happen, so I wouldn’t want to get too far ahead of myself.” Paul Shields (Kirkhill), beaten by compatriot Michael Stewart in last year's final, was No 2 in the Scots' success parade. He shot 69 and 71 for 140 and a share of 15th place. Scott Crichton (Aberdour) improved by seven shots with a 68 for 143 and joint 29th position. Daniel Kay (Dunbar) scored 74 and 71 for 145 and joint 38th place. Fraser McKenna (Balmore) surged into the qualifying bracker with a 70 for 147, the same total as James White (Lundin) who had a second-round 75. They were joint 56th among the 64 qualifiers. LEADING MATCH-PLAY QUALIFIERS Players from South Africa unless stated Par 144 (2x72) 134 Dylan Raubenheimer 69 65. 135 Brandon Stone 69 66, Toby Tree (Eng) 67 68. 136 Brian Soutar (Sco) 71 65, CJ Du Plessis 68 68, Jean-Ual Strydom 68 68. OTHER SCOTTISH QUALIFIERS 140 Paul Shields 69 71 (T15)_. 143 Scott Crichton 75 68 (T29). 145 Daniel Kay 74 71 (T38). 147 Fraser McKenna 77 70, James White 72 75 (T56). NON-QUALIFIER 149 Conor O'Neil 71 78. TO VIEW ALL THE SCORES CLICK HERE

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