Three editions in and Team South Africa have still not progressed to the knockout rounds after Brandon Stone and George Coetzee came unstuck today.
Spain’s Jorge Campillo and Nacho Elvira won the second, third and fourth to pull away from South Africa, who had won the first hole, to start the day with a 3-1 win in Group D.
The Spaniards then fought back from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 with Italy before topping the group after claiming a 3-1 win over Denmark.
Stone and Coetzee beat Denmark 2-1 in session 2 after yet another first hole win, but that was in vain after Spain’s second win.
In other action, Thongchai Jaidee made the first hole-in-one in GolfSixes Cascais history to knock out defending champions Ireland.
The fast and furious six hole modified greensomes format is making its third appearance on the Race to Dubai and its first in continental Europe, and it did not disappoint the fans at Oitavos Dunes.
The biggest cheer of the day was reserved for veteran Thai Jaidee, who made the 15th ace of the season at the sixth to help beat Ireland 3-1 and win Group B, setting up a quarter-final tie against Scotland.
The sixth hole is one of a host of innovations on show this week as the players tee off over a swimming pool surrounded by fans and a DJ, along with two women’s teams joining the men, a shot clock in play on the fourth, and players being allowed to wear shorts and use measuring devices for the first time.
Australia beat Germany Women by one foot and seven inches in a nearest-the-pin play-off to secure second place in Group C and seal a clash against Group D winners Spain, while Group C winners France will take on Italy.
In the remaining quarter-final, Group A winners England will face Group B runners-up Sweden.
Photo: Ross Kinnaird/Getty Images
