Englishman Chris Paisley fired a six-under 66 in the final round to beat the challenge of home favourite Branden Grace to win his first European Tour title by three shots on 21-under overall.<\/p>\n
While Paisley\u2019s name is etched on the SA Open trophy, McClatchie\u2019s name will follow below an illustrious list of former Freddie Tait Cup winners that include Ernie Els, Trevor Immelman, Jean Hugo, Hennie Otto, Branden Grace, Dylan Frittelli, Charl Schwartzel and Brandon Stone.<\/p>
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\u201cFor us amateurs, the SA Open, SA Stroke Play and Sanlam SA Amateur titles are the holy grails of golf and every amateur dreams of winning them,\u201d said McClatchie.<\/p>\n
\u201cI didn\u2019t win the other two, so it\u2019s really fantastic that I could win the Freddie Tait Cup before I leave the amateur ranks.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis week was about testing myself on the biggest stage in South Africa by competing against the best golfers from the European and Sunshine Tours.<\/p>\n
\u201cI haven\u2019t had many opportunities to play at this level and I wanted to push myself to see how high up the leaderboard I could go.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s an indescribable feeling to see my name up there in the top 15 with players who have won on the world stage and contested in Majors.<\/p>\n
\u201cFor me, this week more than lived up to its billing.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was the four most incredible days and I will take a lot of confidence away from this experience.\u201d<\/p>\n
Partnering Frenchman Matthieu Pavon, McClatchie went out in one-under.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
ALSO READ:<\/span><\/p>\n Breakthrough win for Lange<\/a><\/p>\n BMW SA Open Legacy Programme tees off youngsters golfing careers<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n The slight breeze died down as the Serengeti Golf and Wildlife Estate golfer started the back nine with three straight pars, birdied the par-five 13th but gave the advantage back at the next hole.<\/p>\n \u201cThe highlight of my round was definitely the 15th hole,\u201d said McClatchie.<\/p>\n \u201cI was in the fairway bunker after my tee shot.<\/p>\n \u201cMy second shot hit the lip and popped straight down.<\/p>\n \u201cI got it out, had 109 metres left to the flag and I holed out for birdie.\u201d<\/p>\n The GolfRSA National Squad player said walking up to the final green took the sting out of the missed opportunity to tie for 12th after a late bogey at 17.<\/p>\n \u201cIt was the most amazing experience to walk up and to see all the people and hear them cheering us on,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n \u201cThe atmosphere around the 18th was amazing; it was another first for me.\u201d<\/p>\n McClatchie had huge support from the local crowd, including fellow GolfRSA National Squad players Garrick Higgo and Matt Saulez.<\/p>\n \u201cI heard after my round that Matt ran straight from the 18th green to the first tee to wish me good luck and then went to hand in his scorecard,\u201d McClatchie laughed.<\/p>\n \u201cThis week was both exhilarating and exhausting because everything was so new.<\/p>\n \u201cI really loved sharing the experience with my dad Ryan on the bag – big ups to him for keeping me calm.<\/p>\n \u201cTo my mom Wendy and all the friends, family and fellow amateurs and GolfRSA National Squad players who walked with us and cheered me on, I am really grateful for all your support.\u201d<\/p>\n KwaZulu-Natal amateur Saulez closed with a 75 to finish at two over, while 17-year-old Garrick Higgo from Boland signed off with a one-under-par 287 after a final round 70.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Have a story?<\/strong><\/p>\n Contact the newsroom by emailing: Melissa Hart (Editor)\u00a0<\/span>germistoncitynews@caxton.co.za<\/a><\/strong>or Leigh Hodgson (News Editor)\u00a0<\/span>leighh@caxton.co.za<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>or\u00a0Kgotsofalang Mashilo (journalist) kgotsofalangm@caxton.co.za<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n Remember to visit the Germiston City News on the following social media platforms:<\/p>\n Facebook<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Twitter<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Instagram<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n YouTube\u00a0<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Or add the GCN on\u00a0<\/b><\/span>WhatsApp 079 406 1181<\/strong>\u00a0<\/span>or\u00a0BBM (BBM Pin: 7F102137)<\/strong>\u00a0<\/b><\/span>today, to get all the latest news.<\/p>\n Catch-up on more local news with our sister newspapers\u00a0<\/span>Bedfordview Edenvale News<\/a><\/strong>,\u00a0<\/span>Alberton Record<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0and\u00a0<\/span>Kempton Express<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n