No more rookie mistakes as Rebula faces No 2 Smith
JOVAN Rebula is through to the quarter-finals of the Sanlam South African Amateur Championship for the first time in his career and will need the new focus he has brought to this year’s event as he faces the country’s No2 amateur Jason Smith.
Rebula beat Gordon Neale 3&1 in round two and then beat Gareth Clements 1-up. Clements had earlier knocked out Teaghan Gauche 5&3. Smith beat Philip Kruse 5&4 in round two and then Jason Rossiter 2&1.
Keegan de Lange’s championship ended in round two when he was beaten on the 19th by Theunie Bezuidenhout. Bezuidenhout later beat Dylan Naidoo 1-up, albeit with the help of a penalty. Naidoo was penalised for carrying a weighted training club in his bag in addition to his 14 clubs. The extra club was investigated by rules officials on the 14th hole following a query addressed to the officials by Naidoo’s previous opponent. Naidoo, who was 1-up at that stage, was duly penalised loss of two holes and the status of the match was adjusted to see Naidoo 1-down on the 15th tee.
Smith was particularly impressive in his round three match against Rossiter. They were all square through 13, then Smith birdied three of the next four holes, including a half on the 16th, on his way to winning 2&1.
“I enjoyed this match the most of any I’ve played so far,” said Smith. “I had to make some good putts coming in. These are the games you look forward to at a championship like this. And I’m in the best place mentally that I’ve ever been. I just go out there and do my best.”
Rebula has also spoken of his better mental approach this week.
“I’m just being much more positive out there. Even if I hit a bad shot, I’m just trying to keep positive. I can see there’s a difference in my game and my attitude. I’m enjoying it a lot more. I’ve just had a different feeling about the match play this year. I’ve been thinking differently and been enjoying it a lot more.
“I’ve also been working really hard on my fitness and I’m swinging it much better coming down the last few holes.”
In his match against Clements, the nephew of Ernie Els was 3-up through 14 holes and then lost his concentration on 15 and 16 and bo- geyed both. He was 1-up playing 18, and they halved the hole in birdies.
“I hit it left and out of bounds on 15 and on 16 I hit a bad chip that cost me the hole. It made it a little bit nerve-wracking coming down the last, but I kept my composure and played for the middle of the fairway and the green and it worked out perfectly. I’m very satisfied, and I’m looking forward to playing a good friend in the quarters.”
The other quarter-finals will see Scots Calum Fyfe and Connor Syme face each other, with Marco Steyn playing Adam Botha and Daniel Young against Bezuidenhout.