Michael Stewart loses play-off as Scott’s run ends

Scottish duo Michael Stewart and Ewan Scott both endured mild doses of disappointment this week but also produced performances which augur well for the remainder of the season.

Stewart yesterday finished second in an Alps Tour event in Egypt, losing at the fifth extra hole in a sudden-death play- off, while Scott rubber-stamped his potential in the South African Amateur Championship in Johannesburg, where he eventually bowed out at the semi-final stage.

Six off the lead heading into the final round of the Red Sea Ain Bay Open at Sokhna, Stewart closed with a best-of-the-day 66 to tie with Englishman Andrew Cooley on seven under.

The pair were eventually separated in the title shoot-out when Stewart, who had earlier stormed home in four-under, strayed into a water hazard.

“Ran out of steam but great way to start year,” tweeted Ayrthe shireman Stewart, who, coincidentally, won the South African Amateur Championship exactly two years ago.

With Brian Soutar having followed him as champion 12 months ago, St Andrews teenager Scott was on course to complete an incredible Scottish hat-trick when he recovered from two down with three to play to beat compatriot Fraser McKenna at the 20th in yesterday morning’s quarter-finals. The Scottish Youths’ champion then lost 3 and 2 to Andrew Light, a Mossel Bay man like Louis Oosthuizen, but it was still a splendid effort from the talented Fifer.