After a hearty breakfast at host Tsogo Sun Maharani, the World Amateur Golfers Championship got off to a riveting start as players arrived at the tees ready to take on the day’s competition. Team Singapore showcased their drive to perform as they charged their way up the field to take the lead on a 277 nett. South Africa were not without their own impressive display of technique, trailing just three shots behind Team Singapore to ultimately secure 2nd place on a 280 nett, while defending champions Team Malaysia took 3rd on a well-deserved 285 nett.
In the Invitational, Team Poland is leading by three shots on a 141 nett with Team Indonesia 1 taking 2nd place on 144 nett, followed by Team Malaysia 1 who trails by three shots, finishing on a 147 nett.
‘We are very pleased with how round one has gone with some highly contested scores being carded across all four of the championship courses in KwaZulu-Natal stretching from Durban Country Club, Beachwood CC, Kloof CC and Victoria CC. As an amateur golf championship, the talent this year has been nothing short of a “pro-like” tournament with many younger players rising through the ranks and making their mark. The increase in younger talent this year indicates and further cements the World Amateur Golfers Championship as a leader in the development and promotion of amateur golf around the globe and we cannot wait to see what the rest of the week has in store.
‘Of particular significance to the importance of the event is the attendance again of the championship Patron HRH Princess Birgitta of Sweden who is chauffeur-driven around the province by SMG BMW,” said Craig Clay-Smith, spokesperson for the World Amateur Golfers Championship.
27 countries in the Championship and 23 countries in the Invitational are competing over 72 holes in a medal-play format for the prestigious World Amateur Golfers Championship Team Trophy and Title. Up to 200 golfers will also compete within their respective handicap groups, namely 0-5, 6-10, 11-15, 16-20 and 21-25, for the Individual Trophy and Title.
CHAMPIONSHIP LEADER BOARD: ROUND 1
TEAMS
1st Singapore 277 Nett
2nd South Africa 280 Nett
3rd Malaysia 285 Nett
INDIVIDUAL
0-5 Flighting
1st Erwyn Rui Lam 66 Nett
T2nd Henric Larson 69 Nett
T2nd Johannes Mnyandu 69 Nett
6-10 Flighting
1st Tyrone Armist 69 Nett
2nd Jarmo Kivela 70 Nett
T3rd James Smith 71 Nett
T3rd Matjaz Kavnik 71 Nett
T3rd Melvin Choo 71 Nett
T3rd Puguh Sosiantoro 71 Nett
T3rd Rastam Khairuddin 71 Nett
11-15 Flighting
1st Clara Ling Jia 70 Nett
2nd Meravanige Nagaraj 71 Nett
3rd Mohd Fazli Ramlan 72 Nett
16-20 Flighting
1st Pierre Heyneke 69 Nett
2nd Azizul Borhan 71 Nett
3rd Jing Liu 73 Nett
21-25 Flighting
1st Xu Liguang 68 Nett
2nd Tran Tuan Ho 69 Nett
3rd Kian Lee 70 Nett