SOUTH AFRICAN NORTHERN AMATEUR OPEN - Stewart edged out in quarter final

Michael Stewart (Troon Welbeck) was stopped in his bid for a second major South African title this week having booked his place in the quarter finals of the South African North Amateur Championship, alongside three of his Scotland teammates who provided half of the remaining field.

(yesterdays report from the Scottishgolf website at http://www.scottishgolf.org/ )

Michael Stewart notched a convincing 5&3 win in the last 16 of the Northern Amateur Open to set up an all Scottish quarter-final against Philip McLean with David Law and Scott Gibson also through to the last 8 in Randpark.

Stewart, chasing a historic South African double after securing the South African Amateur title earlier this month was in devastating form in what was another successful day for the Scots in South Africa.

The Scottish Amatuer Champion now faces team-mate Peterhead’s Philip McLean, whose passage to the quarter-finals was not quite as straightforward, a birdie at the 4th play-off hole from McLean required to progress. Scotland are now guaranteed semi-final representation for the second successive event.

Scott Gibson endured an even more dramatic end to his last 16 match, the Southerness star chipped in at the 3rd extra hole to win his match. Meanwhile, qualifying strokeplay winner David Law continued his excellent form and sealed his quarter-final place with a 19th hole victory.

The Northern Amateur Open quarter-finals and semi-finals will be completed today (Thursday) before concluding with a 36-hole final on Friday.

In the quarter finals on Thursday, Stewart was edged out by one hole by fellow Scot Philip McLean.

Another Scotland international, David law, has battled his way through to the 36 hole final tomorrow.