Round 4 - Haydn Porteous claims maiden European Tour title

January 17, 2016

South African Haydn Porteous held his nerve for a bogey-free round of 69 to claim a maiden European Tour victory at the Joburg Open on Sunday.

Joint overnight leader Porteous made just five bogeys all week and hit every green in regulation at the Royal Johannesburg and Kensington Golf Club during his final round, while the chasing pack behind him struggled for the same consistency.

The 21-year-old finished the tournament on 18-under-par, two shots ahead of compatriot Zandersaf Lombard (71).

A further shot back was group of four players, all of who looked as though they may steal the limelight on Sunday before fading -- Swede Bjorn Akesson (68), England's Anthony Wall (72), Daniel Im (70) from the U.S. and home hope Justin Walters (69).

The three top-ranked players have also earned their place at he 145th British Open at Royal Troon in July -- Porteous, Lombard and Wall, who qualifies ahead of the other players on 15-under-par by virtue of his world ranking.

Porteous, who missed the cut at last weekend's South African Open after struggling with his game, said he played low-risk golf to keep himself ahead of the field.

"Words can't describe how I feel, it's surreal to be honest," he said at the trophy presentation.

"I've been battling with my golf over the last few months and a lot of sweat and tears have brought me here."

His accuracy off the tee was vastly improved and a feature of his solid final round.

"I had been battling for my driver for the past few days, but I started to hit a few more fairways today and a lot more greens to give myself a chance to make some birdies.

"Unfortunately the putts didn't go in but I was keeping the pressure low and making sure I still made par."

Round 3 - Three share third round lead

January 16, 2016

Anthony Wall joined a three-way hunt for the Joburg Open along with South African duo Zander Lombard and Haydn Porteous after hitting a flawless third round 68 on Saturday.

The 40-year-old had birdies on the fourth, ninth, 10th and 13th holes, and goes into the final round level on 15 under par along with Lombard and Porteous at Royal Johannesburg & Kensington Golf Club.

The Englishman is bidding for a second European Tour title - 16 years after his first at the Alfred Dunhill Championship.

"I've got a great chance tomorrow. But they're all good players, someone's going to be a little luckier tomorrow and win, so hopefully it's me," said Wall, who admitted his mentality has changed since 2000.

"At the end of the day I'm father now before I am a golfer, that switched a few years ago and I just want to keep playing for them and my wife so they can be proud of me."

Wall secured his place at the 2015 Open Championship with a second-placed finish in Joburg last year and could do so again with the top three non-exempt players in the top ten claiming a place at Royal Troon.

And with Ernie Els and David Howell, the highest placed exempt players, eight off the lead, this is a golden opportunity to get to the third Major Championship of the year.

Lombard, who turns 21 on Monday, posted nine birdies and two bogeys en route to a 65 and Porteous, having started with an eagle at the par-five first, then ended with two straight birdies for 68.

Overnight leader Ross McGowan hit a one-over par 73 and is two shots off the lead in a group including Jacques Blaauw, Paul Dunne and Qualifying School graduate Daniel Im.

Round 2 - Ross McGowan moves three clear

January 15, 2016

Ross McGowan claimed a three-shot lead at the halfway stage of the Joburg Open on Friday after a remarkable second round of 62.

McGowan shot his nine-under-par round on the par-71 West Course at the Royal Johannesburg and Kensington Golf Club, with four birdies and a bogey on the front nine being followed by an explosive inward nine that featured two eagles and two more birdies.

Behind him is a group of four players on 11 under par comprised of South African duo Jean Hugo and Haydn Porteous, England's Antony Wall and Felipe Aguilar of Chile.

Wall shot a five-under-par 67 on the tougher East Course while Hugo and Aguilar enjoyed six-under-par rounds of 65 on the West Course, where Porteous went round in 66.

Johan Carlsson of Sweden and Stuart Manley of Wales are a further shot back at 10 under.

McGowan, who finished fifth at the Qualifying School last year to regain his card after injuries stalled his career, impressed with a 67 on the East Course on Thursday and he went out in front on Friday in large part thanks to an eagle at the par-four 12th and another at the long 15th.

"I holed a wedge at 12 today which was nice and then I hit two great shots into the par five, so I had 15-20 feet there for eagle and managed to hole that one as well," the 33-year-old former Madrid Masters winner told www.europeantour.com.

In a tournament that has seen players play a round each on two different courses over the first two days, there is extra incentive for the field with three places available at this year's British Open at Troon to players who finish in the top 10 and are not already exempt.

One man who is already exempt is Ernie Els, the two-time former British Open champion, who had a two-under-par round of 70 on the East Course to sit just the right side of the cut at three under.

First-round leader Justin Walters of South Africa is in a tie for eighth on nine under par after following his opening 65 on the East Course with a two-under 69 on the West Course.

Round 1 - Justin Walters leads with opening 65

January 15, 2016

Justin Walters made birdie on the last hole to take a one-shot lead after the first round of the European Tour's Joburg Open on Thursday.

The South African made his sixth birdie of the day on No. 18 for a 7-under 65 on the East Course at Royal Johannesburg and Kensington. That gave Walters a narrow advantage over six men tied for second on 6 under.

That tie includes English pair Anthony Wall and David Howell, and Zimbabwe's Mark Williams, who all carded 65s on the easier par-71 West Course.

Also tied for second are Haydn Porteous and Swedes Johan Carlsson and Michael Jonzon.

After missing the cut at the South African Open last week, Ernie Els opened with a 1-under 70 on the West to be tied for 69th.

Scores

 

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