Michael Stewart and Shields set up all-Scottish final in SA

Michael Stewart produced a rousing late rally to set up an all-Scottish final clash with Paul Shields in the South African Amateur Championship at Vaal de Grace.

The Scottish champion, from Troon, showed his matchplay qualities with a 19th-hole semi-final win over Fraserburgh's Jordan Findlay in a repeat of last July's national championship.

Stewart, who turns 21 on Sunday, had been three down to Findlay with just five holes to play but last year's Scottish No 1 won the 14th, 16th and 18th to square the tie before taking the match at the first extra hole.

Kirkhill youngster Shields, who lost to Stewart in the final of the Scottish Boys' Championship in 2008, gave himself a chance of revenge as he eased to a 3 and 2 win over local hopeful Jacques Kruyswijk.

All square heading to the turn against Kruyswijk, Shields, 20, made a telling move with wins at the eighth and 10th to take charge of the contest.

Earlier in the day, Shields was forced to the fourth extra-hole in his quarter-final duel with Aubrey Barnard.

The Scot had been two up after 15 but was pegged back to level on the 18th green before seeing off his South African rival at the 22nd. Stewart enjoyed a 3 and 2 win over Muzi Nethunswi in his last eight encounter.

The Scots are in South Africa for eight weeks to prepare for the 2011 season, which culminates in the Walker Cup at Balgownie, thanks to sponsorship of the Scottish Golf Union by Aberdeen Asset Management.

l EDINBURGH'S Mark Dickson, a student at the University of South Carolina-Aiken, just made the top 20 in this week's Argonaut Invitational men's college golf tournament at Pensacola Country Club, Florida.

Dickson finished joint 19th in a field of 75 players with ever-improving rounds of 78, 74 and 72 for a total of eight-over-par 224. He finished 11 shots behind the winner, Jace Windom (North Alabama) with scores of 75, 70 and 68 for three-under 213.