Three South Africans, competing in their home country at Leopard Creek Country Club in Malelane, were knotted in a tie at the end of 72 holes, and it was Altin van der Merwe who made a birdie on the first playoff hole to capture the inaugural Africa Amateur Championship.
Amid a tidal wave of scorching hot takes after the R&A and USGA announced a universal golf ball rollback last week, there was Padraig Harrington shining like a beacon in the night.
RA& boss Martin Slumbers, who is in Melbourne for the Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship, said there were two hurdles to jump before Portmarnock could host an Open.
The list of achievements, honours and positions held by the always modest Englishman – surely Britain’s greatest-ever amateur golfer – within the game is both lengthy and astonishing.
Ten Australians have accepted their invitations to compete in the 2023 Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship at Royal Melbourne Golf Club next month, opening the door to earn a place in the Masters Tournament and the 152nd Open Championship next year.