Switched on Dyer and Streicher cruising in SA Amateur

Top seeds Jack Dyer and Megan Streicher looks to be the players to beat as the duo marched on to the quarter-finals of the South African Amateur Championships at Royal Johannesburg & Kensington Golf Club.

England’s Dyer – with compatriot and first-round casualty Zach Chegwidden on the bag – saw off Centurion’s Ernest Ludick 2&1 in the morning round before comfortably beating Belgium’s Jean de Wouters d'Oplinter 4&3 on Wednesday afternoon.

After going down early to Ludick, it was a timely pep talk from his caddie that got the Boyce Hill golfer going.

“Sometimes when I try stay to stay relaxed and not let the nerves get the better of me, I lose a bit of focus,” said the England Golf Men’s A-Squad member. “Zach helped me to switch on and focus a bit more on every shot. It definitely worked because I was down early on against Ernest and when I made a birdie on eight to go 1 up, that really got me going.”

Dyer will face Randpark’s Conner Mackenzie in the quarter final.

Mackenzie beat Clive Palm 4 & 2 and followed that up with a 2 & 1 victory over Germany’s Constantin Unger.

On the West Course, Swellendam’s Streicher continued her quest to claim the SA Women’s Amateur double as she breezed into the quarter finals with two comfortable wins.

After celebrating a one-shot victory in the SA Stroke Play Championship on Tuesday, the 18-year-old dispatched Lize-Marie Prinsloo of Mossel Bay 5 & 4 in the opening round of the match play event. She followed it up with an equally comfortable 4 & 3 win over Demi Flanagan in the afternoon’s second round.

Next up for the country’s top ranked junior is a quarter-final meeting with last year’s runner up Kyra van Kan, who overcame Cheslyn Jacobs 5 & 4 and Samantha Whateley 7 & 6.

As the women move from the West Course to the East Course, Streicher was excited to go one step further than last year.

“I’m definitely excited that I made it past the first round,” she said. “I played pretty well and I’m happy that I’m hitting my woods a lot better. When I missed a greens, I was able to up and down well. my caddie (dad Barry) is doing a great job of keeping me on point.”

South Africa’s No. 1-ranked pair Martin Vorster and Caitlyn Macnab – the women’s defending champion – also advanced to quarter finals, alongside fellow GolfRSA Squad members Kieron van Wyk, Christiaan Maas, Kiera Floyd and  Kaylah Williams.

Vorster, the reigning SA Stroke Play champion, will take on Krugersdorp’s Simon du Plooy, Van Wyk comes up against Paarl’s Ethan Smith and Maas will have his work cut out against Durban Country Club’s Jonathan Broomhead.

“I played a lot better today,” said Maas, who booked his ticket to the last eight with two commanding victories.

The 17-year-old Pretoria Country Club golfer routed Jaco Anderson from Klerksdorp 5 & 4 and eliminated 2014 finalist Altin van der Merwe 5 & 3.

“After I nearly blew it on the back nine yesterday, I knew I needed to stay focused throughout the whole game. Thankfully, I’ve started reading the lines and putting better, so I’m gaining in confidence as the tournament progresses,” Maas said.

Van Wyk, ranked seventh on the SAGA amateur rankings, needed 38 holes to make the final eight.

The South African Golf Development Board graduate had to come from behind to beat Ryan Joyce 1 up and, needing extra holes, saw off Centurion’s Francois van der Walt with a par-putt on the 20th hole. 

“It was a difficult day, but a good day,” said Van Wyk. “I had to grind it out and I didn’t have my best stuff, but I got past the first round this year. I can’t wait to see what tomorrow holds for me.”

Still on the top half of the draw, a mouth-watering match between No 2-ranked Williams and big-hitting Floyd, the country’s No-5 ranked amateur, awaits.

Williams moved into the quarter finals with wins over Amy Fletcher (4 & 3) and Stephanie Barbaglia (3 & 2), while Floyd negotiated her way past Eleonora Galletti (6 & 5) and Bobbi Brown (5 & 4).

On the other side of the draw, Macnab was in superb form as she set up a quarter final meeting with 2018 champion Jordan Rothman.

Macnab saw off Kim Turgut 5 & 3 in the opening round and followed that up with a 6 & 4 win over Pretoria Country Club’s Bronwyn Leigh Doeg, while Rothman beat Crystal beukes 6 & 5 in the morning before comfortably winning 8&6 against Oubaai’s Jasmine Furstenburg.

“I’m really happy with how I hit the ball today,” said the 18-year-old Serengeti golfer. “The putter warmed up a little, not a lot, but at least it went a little better on the greens. I’m looking forward to the East tomorrow. It should be a great match against Jordan.”

In the last of the quarter finals, Cara Ford will take on 2021 Gauteng North Junior Girls champion Gabrielle Venter for a place in the final four.

The petite Randpark spitfire caused the upset of the day when she edged recent Eastern Province Border Championship winner Larissa du Preez 1 up in the first round. She followed her giant-slaying performance with a fine 3 & 1 victory over Ebotse’s Kaylan Boshof.

Venter reached the quarter finals last year and is looking to go one better after beating Liezl Smit 2&1 and edging Carmen Taljaard on the 19^th hole.

Flight Division

Last year’s B-Division SA Women’s Stroke Play winner Kamaya Moodliar is still on course to add the match play title to her growing tally.

The Umhlali golfer beat Shani Brynard 2 & 1 in the morning session, and knocked out Elizabeth Lightley 2 up to reach the final eight. She faces Benoni Lake golfer Nicole Strydom, who edged Lea van der Merwe 7 & 5 and Tebogo Lefifi 1 up.

Western Province’s Zara le Keur also had a productive day, winning her matches 1 up and 5 & 4. The Royal Cape golfer plays local favourite Michelle Steyn, who beat Moodliar’s older sister Senayah on the 21st hole and eliminated mid-amateur Heidi van der Berg 2 & 1.

Randpark’s Lauren Clough, who came through the first day with 4 & 3 and 5 & 4 victories, will go head-to-head with Zane Kleynhans from Centurion, who defeated Hanne Rademeyer 3 & 2 and Chloe Malgas-Kelpin 1 up.

In the final match of the day, 14-year-old ERPM golfer Paola Sakota will face off against seasoned mid-amateur Charlene Oosthuizen, who eliminated 11-year-old Kaitlyn van de Vyver – the SA Women’s Stroke Play B-Division winner – 3 & 2 in the morning and edged out Chloe Valkin 1 up in the afternoon.

Sakota won her first match against Kaylin van der Merwe 1 up, and birdied the 18th on the West for a 2 & 1 result against Mandie Badenhorst.

After the morning session, the semi-final rounds will be played in the afternoon, with the 36-hole finals in all three divisions scheduled for Friday.

Written and released by Lali Stander on behalf of GolfRSA.

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