SA claim top-45 finish at World Amateur Team Champs

Playing for pride and position, British Amateur finalist Lombard carved out a one-under-par 71 and reigning SA Stroke Play champion Smith matched his target at the Iriyama Course.

Their combined final-round two-under-par 142 took the team tally to one-over-par 573 and secured 43rd place for South Africa in the final standings at the Karuizawa 72 East Golf Club.

Lombard struggled over the first nine holes and turned in two-over after a double bogey at the par-four 16th. The Tuks Golf Club and Academy member was faultless over the last nine holes, though, and racked up birdies at the first, fourth and eighth holes to finish one-under.

Smith opened with a birdie at the 10th and eagled the par-five 11th, but wiped out his advantage with a bogey at the 12th and a double bogey at the par-three 14th. He dropped another shot at the second, but stemmed the bleeding with birdies at the third and fifth holes.

Western Province’s Gerlou Roux turned in two-over, but rallied with two birdies to offset a pair of bogeys down the home stretch to sign for a non-counting 74.

“It was a case of too little, too late,” said national coach Llewellyn van Leeuwen.

“Although they all played well in the final round, we didn’t have a great start and we failed to take advantage of the scoring nine at the Oshitate Course in the second and third rounds.

“The guys played their hearts out, though… They all learned some valuable lessons here this week which will serve them well in the future.”

Meanwhile Denny McCarthy, Bryson DeChambeau and Beau Hossler mounted a successful title defence for the United States. The trio combined with rounds of 136, 133, 128 and 137 to romp home to a two-shot victory over Canada on a winning score of 38-under-par 534.

Jon Rahm from Spain topped the individual standings on 23-under-par 263 with rounds of 70, 64, 62 and 67, while Lombard tied for 60th on five-under-par 281 in the 200-strong field.

The Woodhill golfer carded rounds of 68, 71, 74 and 71 to finish 31 spots better than his tie for 91st in his debut at the 2012 World Amateur Team Championships in Turkey.

Smith shared 123rd spot on eight-over 294 with rounds of 78, 71, 74 and 71 and Roux tied for 139th on 14-over-par 300 with rounds of 76, 73, 77 and 74.

– Sapa