Ernie Els World Junior Invitational

England's Chris Lloyd wins Ernie's junior event

George - England's U16 team member Chris Lloyd from Kendleshire Golf Club played flawless golf today to come from three shots behind to win the inaugural Ernie Els World Junior Invitational at The Links at Fancourt. His one-under par 72 included three drops and four birdies, two of which came on the last two holes.

"This is a very special win for me," said Lloyd after receiving his trophy from Ernie Els' father Neels. "This is a tough course, but I stuck to my game plan of keeping the ball in play, hitting greens and taking my chances where they came. This is my first visit to South Africa and I am definitely looking forward to coming back."

Overnight leader Matthew Rottanburg of Killarney Golf Club in Johannnesburg had a nightmare start, making a double-bogey six on the opening hole from which he never really recovered, eventually finishing with a seven-over par 80 in third place.

In second place was another international visitor Luke Lennox from Northern Ireland, who was one of two Irish boys whose trip to the tournament was sponsored by mentor Darren Clarke.

Pre-tournament favourite Dylan Frittelli's level-par 73 final round was good enough for a share of fourth place with local-boy Riekus Nortje, who had held the lead after the second round. Best of the Ernie Els & Fancourt Foundation members playing was young Shaun Smith who finished in joint eighth with Leon-Brink Knoll of Silver Lakes near Pretoria.

In the girls' competition, Southern Cape's Monique Smit wrapped up an easy victory, beating closest rival Bertine Strauss by a massive 11 shots over the four rounds.

Leading scores - boys (SA unless stated)

1 294 +2 Chris Lloyd (ENG) Kendleshire G.C. (ENG) 78 73 71 72
2 298 +6 Luke Lennox (IRE) Moyola Park G.C. (IRL) 75 74 76 73
3 299 +7 Matthew RottanburgKillarney C.C. (CG) 76 72 71 80
4= 300 +8 Dylan Frittelli Irene C C (GN) 78 70 79 73
Riekus Nortje George G C (SC) 75 72 75 78
6 301 +9 Haydn Porteous Modderfontein G.C. (CG) 77 73 76 75
7 302 +10 Tom Lewis (ENG) Welwyn Garden City G.C. (ENG) 76 73 82 71
8= 303 +11 Leon-Brink Knoll Silver Lakes G C (GN) 74 78 75 76
Shaun Smith Ernie Els & Fancourt Fdn (BR) 81 71 74 77
10 304 +12 Matthew Versfeld Johannesburg G C (CG) 81 71 78 74

Leading scores - girls

1 301 +9 Monique Smit George G. C. (SC) 78 74 73 76
2 312 +20 Bertine Strauss Rustenberg G C (NW) 77 77 81 77
3 313 +21 Connie Chen Waterkloof G C (GN) 81 77 77 78
4 315 +23 Eugenie Clack Pretoria G.C. (GN) 77 84 83 71
5 324 +32 Chloe Garner Strand G C (BL) 81 79 83 81
6 327 +35 Hermine Greyling Strand G C (BL) 86 80 78 83
7 329 +37 Bonita Bredenhann Hentiesbaai G.C. (NAM) 82 84 82 81
8 331 +39 Rushda Mallick EEFF (WP) 84 82 85 80
9 334 +42 Gabby de Reuck George G.C. (SC) 86 83 82 83