MARCHBANK, FERGUSON KO'd IN ROUND 1 BUT

FIVE SCOTS MAKE IT TO LAST 32 IN S AFRICA

Top seed Greig Marchbank (Thornhill) and Ewen Ferguson (Bearsden) were beaten in the first round of the match-play stages in the Sanlam South African men's amateur championship at Silver Lakes Golf Estate today but the five other Scots qualifiers won their way through to the last 32.
Tristen Strydom, runner-up to Marchbank in the play-off for the Proudfoot Trophy and the No 2 seed, also lost in the first round. 
South African Teaghan Gauche defeated Marchbank  2 and 1. Gauche, who  came through a play-off for the last of the 64 qualifying spots, was three up after only four holes, having had an eagle 2 at the par-4 fourth.
“I just hit an amazing tee shot with my driver which ended up three feet from the hole, and it's always nice to make a two on a par-four,” said Gauche.
“Greig got off to a shaky start with some three-putts, but I was just playing solid, hitting a lot of greens in regulation.”
Coming down the stretch, Gauche was able to apply the pressure and close out the match on the 17th to claim a huge scalp on day one of the knock-out format.
 Calum Fyfe came from behind to win his match on the 19th hole against Jade Buitendag
“My opponent, I felt, didn't hit a bad shot the whole round. He was so consistent, and made a few birdies as well,” said the Cawder Golf Club golfer.
“I just had to try and stick it out and hole a few putts. I tried to stay confident and believe in myself.”
Both players found the green on the first extra hole, but Fyfe stepped up to nail a 20-footer for the win
Ewen Ferguson lost by 4 and 3 to Philip Kruse.
But, apart from Fyfe, there were wins by Craig Ross (Kirkhill), Connor  Syme (Dumfries and Co), Daniel Young (Craigie Hill) and Scott Gibson (Southerness).

Scots' first-round results against S African opponents:
Teaghan Gauche bt Greig Marchbank (Sco) 2 and 1.
Philip Kruse bt Ewen Ferguson (Sco)_ 4 and 3.
Calum Fyfe (Sco) bt Jade Buitendag at 19th
Craig Ross (Sco) bt Altin van der Merwe 2 and 1
Connor Syme (Sco) bt Henri van der Walt 2  and 1
Daniel Young (Sco) bt Ruan Conradie 3 and 1
 Scott Gibson (Sco) bt Matt Saulez 2 and 1 .