Young golfer still on par
McClatchie has now pushed his way to number six after a podium finish
AFTER a quiet 2015 on the golf course, a young Serengeti golfer is climbing up the rankings again.
Between 2013 and 2014, former Youth Olympian Kyle McClatchie from Ekurhuleni dominated the junior golf circuit. However, he faded from the golfing radar last year as academic pressure of the final year in high school mounted.
McClatchie has now pushed his way to number six after a podium finish in the Boland Stroke Play Championship.
He opened with an even-par 72 in the first round at Robertson Golf Club to lag five shots off the pace from Aubrey Beckley.
A flawless nine under 63 in round two put the Wanna Be A Champion player in pole position and he made the most of his second shot at glory.
“The wind blew really hard in the first round and I had a pretty average start,” he explained. “I had a couple of bogeys, but I knew if I got myself back to level par I would have a chance.
“I was off early in round two and I made the most of the good weather. The greens at Robertson were probably the best we’ve played all year and the putter was cooperating nicely. I gave myself a lot of chances and it felt great to post a bogey-free round.”
McClatchie had a two-shot cushion going into the final round, but surrendered the lead with back-to-back bogeys at the second and third holes.
“There were a few very tough pins on the front nine but I bided my time and played for pars. Angus (Ellis-Cole) had a great start, but he dropped a couple of shots in the middle of the round and Aubrey also hung in there.
“I clawed my way back and had a three-shot lead after all three of us birdied 17, so I laid up and played for par and got the win.”
McClatchie closed with a 74 to beat Ellis-Cole and Beckley by two shots on seven under 209.
“I was definitely building up to winning, but you do wonder if you still have what it takes,” he said.
