It's a long way from Pretoria to Perthshire but Danny Young will travel back to the Big County this week having made a big impact by romping to victory in the South African Amateur Championship at the Silver Lakes club.
The 23-year-old Craigie Hill member powered to a commanding 8 and 6 win over Jovan Rebula in the 36-hole matchplay final to become the third Scot in the last five years to capture the crown following the wins of Michael Stewart and Brian Soutar in 2011 and 2012.
Young was dominant throughout and reeled off seven birdies and an eagle during the morning's opening round to forge a three-hole lead at lunch. The Scot surged away in the afternoon and put the tin lid on a fine triumph by knocking an 8-iron into 15-feet on the 12th and rolling in the birdie putt.
"This is massive; the biggest win of my career so far," said Young, who joins the likes of Ernie Els, Retief Goosen and Trevor Immelman on the roll of honour. "You look at the trophy and there are some massive, massive names on it. To get my name alongside them is great.
On the European Tour, Craig Lee came barging up the field on day two of the Africa Open as he shaved 11 shots off his first round score with a sparkling eight-under 64.
The Stirling man, who had struggled to an opening 75, hoisted himself into a share of 14th on a five-under aggregate of 139 which left him six shots behind the halfway leader, Matt Ford.
Lee's spirited salvage operation was aided by a sizzling front nine of seven-under which was illuminated with an eagle and a haul of six birdies.
Scott Jamieson finished a stroke behind Lee on 140 after a 69 while David Drysdale and Chris Doak both made the cut on a 141 and a 142 respectively.
At the sharp end of affairs, Ford upped his bid for a maiden European Tour win with a six-under 66 as he moved into the lead with an 11-under 132.
The 36-year-old, who was set to take up a job with the Royal Mail until he earned a tour card at the qualifying school last November, is one shot clear of Spain's Eduardo De La Riva.
Meanwhile, officials of the European Senior Tour yesterday confirmed that Archerfield Links in East Lothian will host this year's Scottish Senior Open.
The 54-hole event, now in its 23rd year, will move from its previous home at Fairmont St Andrews and will become a Pro-Am event in the style of the Dunhill Links Championship. The tournament, with a purse of £250,000, will be held from August 27-29.
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