Cairns misses cut

Sports Reporter
RYAN Cairns failed to make the cut at the South Africa Open Championships when he carded a total seven over-par after two rounds. Cairns was the only representative at the event as Sean Farrell, Dale Howie, Mark Williams, William Lake, Greg Bentley, Sheldon Steyn failed to earn one of 14 pre-qualifying spots at the 104th South African Open Championship on Tuesday.

South Africa-based Farrell came very close to joining Cairns in the star-studded field after carding a solid three-under par round of 69 at Tuesday’s pre-qualifying round at Irene Golf Club.

Farrell shot seven birdies, four bogeys and saved par on seven occasions to finish in a tie for sixth position, just three places below the cutline.

Cairns made it, but struggled as he opened the first day on four over-par 76, which he followed with a four-over-par 76 to bow out of the tournament.

The South African Open Championships is the first event of the season and has drawn several international players.

The European Tour-sanctioned event had drawn a total of 153 players.

The South African Open is one of the few events on the Sunshine Tour sanctioned by the European Tour and usually attracts some of the big name players.

Andrew Sullivan of England took over the lead from former Zimbabwe Open winner J’be Kruger of South Africa yesterday.

Veteran South African Ernie Els also had a terrible second day after finishing day one tied in second place as he returned a five-over par yesterday.