Fuente: © Southern Africa Tour
http://www.sunshinetour.com/

GOLF: SOUTHERN AFRICA TOUR: Local lad Prinsloo takes top spot into SAA Open

/noticias.info/ Former Eastern Province captain, Anton Prinsloo, produced the round of his life to earn the one of 16 spots into the prestigious South African Airways Open that tees off at Humewood Golf Club on Thursday.

The 31-year-old amateur fired a flawless seven-under 65 to win the qualifying tournament at Walmer Country Club by one stroke from his EP foursomes partner Lyle Rowe and professionals, Chuck Johnson from the USA and Englishman Lee James.

The other qualifier, at Port Elizabeth Golf Club, was won by Spaniard professional Luis Claverie, who shot a five-under 67 that included an outward loop of 31 and seven birdies.

Prinsloo, who owns a construction company, was in high spirits after his round.

"This is the pinnacle of my career as an amateur. I haven't been playing good golf of late and when I woke up this morning I never had any realistic hopes of qualifying, let alone winning," said the PE Golf club member.

"It was the best round of golf in my life especially when one considers you only have 18 holes to prove your worth. My caddie, Gareth Calder, a good mate of mine, was also incredible today. He did all the right things at the right time and contributed greatly to my performance."

Prinsloo was surprised at finding himself very calm before the tee off.

"I thought I would be very nervous, but I guess you just fall back on your experience. I didn't worry to much about who was playing and approached the round like it was a test between the golf course and myself," he added.

Prinsloo's next goal is to make Friday's cut and play the final two rounds on the weekend.

"It's all about hurdles. Now that I'm over the first one, I want to work towards being around for the weekend.”

He started his round on the 10th hole and parred all the way until he a birdie got him going at the par three 14th. He then made back-to-back birdies on 15 and 16 to make the turn at three-under par.

A birdie at the first hole and another at the par five sixth took him to five-under. On the eighth he rolled in a 20-footer for birdie from the back of the green and then finished off with six-foot birdie putt on the ninth to complete a memorable round.

Prinsloo, who announced his retirement form provincial golf in September, said he would not reconsider his decision even after a performance that saw him outplay some tough national and international professional competition.

The other local hero – by several years the junior to Prinsloo, was Rowe, who admitted the pressure started getting to him.

"It started going a bit rough during the last few holes. But I told myself to just keep hitting fairways and greens and calmed myself down that way," said the 19-year-old, who also had a bogey-free round with six birdies at 3, 6, 7, 8, 11 and 12.

It could have been a lot better for Rowe had two close birdie attempts on 16 and 17 dropped but the promising amateur was relieved to have made the grade.

"It's going to be great just being involved in the SA Open. It's what you dream about from a young age. I won't be too worried if a I don't make the cut ... it's all about being there," he added.

Prinsloo and Rowe will play a practice round at 06h30 on Wednesday morning, ahead of the Pro-Am that tees off at 06h50 (morning field) and 11h00 (afternoon field).

Trevor Immelman and defending champion, Retief Goosen, tee off in the morning field, at 08h00 and 08h10 respectively.

Argentina’s Angel Cabrera tees off at 13h10, followed by European Ryder Cup player, Lee Westwood of England, at 13h20 and Ernie Els, who goes out at 13h30.

With thanks to Alvin Reeves, The Herald notas_de_prensa_archivo