Brian Soutar fights his way to South Africa final

TWELVE months after Michael Stewart lifted the title, Fifer Brian Soutar is just one victory away from winning the South African Amateur Championship.

The 27-year-old Leven Golfing Society player, who gave up a well-paid job as a welding inspector to play full-time golf, is through to the 36-hole final at Mowbray Golf Club in Cape Town.

He claimed two notable scalps yesterday to keep his title hopes alive and now meets Brandon Stone, the South African No 1, in the title showdown.

“The golf Brian has played has been absolutely tremendous, especially fighting back in both games today,” said Scottish national coach Ian Rae, who is accompanying Soutar and six other members of the SGU men’s squad on their trip to South Africa.

In the first of those battling displays, last year’s Scottish Champion of Champions winner was one down to Louis Taylor on the 18th hole in their quarter-final tie but went on to win at the second extra hole

It looked dire for Soutar once again in the semi-final when he was two down with five to play against Southern Cape’s Shaun Smith, who had swept his last-eight opponent aside by 8 and 6 earlier in the day.

But Soutar conjured up another late rally to win at the 19th, having rolled in a 25-footer at the previous hole to keep the match alive.

“To win the 18th in both matches and then win after extra holes is absolutely awesome, a tremendous performance from Brian,” added Rae.

“This is a big event and Brandon [Stone] will want to win his national title. He is a very good player and Brian faces a tough game. But Brian is a very good player as well and there is no reason why he can’t win.”

Scott Crichton will also be telling Soutar that before today’s final, the Aberdour player having beaten Stone three times in the SGU’s Test win over the South Africans at Leopard Creek a fortnight ago.

Recent final results in the event are also on the Scot’s side as it has been three years since a South African claimed the country’s top amateur title.

Two years ago, Englishman Laurie Canter beat Allen Versfeld in the final at East London Golf Club then, 12 months ago, Stewart lifted the title by beating Paul Shields in an all-Scottish showdown at Vaal de Grace.

An added incentive for Soutar, a member of the Fife side which won the Scottish Area Team title for the first time last year, is that today’s winner earns a place in the SA Open later in the year.