SCOTS-SOUTH AFRICA DEADLOCK WITH SIX SINGLES TO DECIDE

FROM THE SCOTTISH GOLF UNION WEBSITE

By ROSS DUNCAN

Scotland and South Africa are locked at 6-6 going into the final six singles ties of their international Test Match at Prestwick Golf Club this afternoon.

The Scots, bidding for home and away triumphs in the contest, saw their 5-4 overnight lead eroded after a 2-1 loss in the foursomes this morning.

In-form Graeme Robertson, the SGU Order of Merit leader from Glenbervie, maintained his unbeaten record in the match as he and Kirkhill’s Paul Shields claimed a 3&2 triumph over Drikus Bruyns and Gert Myburgh.

But, in another nip and tuck session, it was the South Africans who won the final two matches of the morning by narrow margins.

Shaun Smith and Charles Du Plessis stormed to a four up lead after nine holes against South African Amateur champion Brian Soutar (Leven GS) and the North-east’s Adam Dunton (McDonald Ellon).

The Scots brilliantly battled back from the deficit to square the contest after 14 holes, only to lose out 2 and 1 on the 17th.

Fraser McKenna (Balmore) and Lundin’s James White, so impressive yesterday to claim two wins apiece, also enjoyed a fierce, tight battle with Haydn Porteous and Jean-Paul Strydom.

The South Africans held a one-hole lead on the 18th tee, which is where it went wrong for the hosts after their tee-shot carried too long at the short par-4 and out of bounds.

Porteous and Strydom thus achieved a two-hole win to leave the tussle for The Friendship Quaich delicately poised.
DAY 2 RESULTS

SCOTLAND 6, SOUTH AFRICA 6 is the current overall score
FOURSOMES (1-2)
Graeme Robertson (Glenbervie) and Paul Shields (Kirkhill) bt Drikus Bruyns and Gert Myburgh 3 and 2.
Brian Soutar and Adam Dunton lost to Shaun Smith and Charles Du Plessis 2 and 1.
Fraser McKenna and James White lost to Haydn Porteous and Jean-Paul Strydom 2 holes.

The six singles ties are taking place this afternoon and the draw is:

* Soutar v Bruyns
* Robertson v Strydom
* McKenna v Porteous
* Dunton v Myburgh
* Shields v Smith
* White v Du Plessis