Steyn, who plays off a +3, shot an impressive 68 on the tough East Course, but that was matched by Keegan McLachlan, a 16-year-old from Silver Lakes Country Club, and the pair had to head off back down the par-four 10th hole in a playoff.
The first playoff hole was shared as both golfers sunk clutch putts for par, Steyn showing his mettle after his tee-shot went right of the fairway under some trees, managing to put his second just short of the green with a wonderful approach shot.
Plus-one handicapper McLachlan’s brave effort ended at the second playoff hole when he three-putted, having chipped to 35 feet after his approach went left of the 18th green.
Steyn said he didn’t think a par was going to be enough for victory considering how well McLachlan had played the first hole, but he paid credit to his rival, saying he expected to see him qualify for the Glacier Junior Series final from the remaining Gauteng events at the Ebotse Links and Zwartkop Country Club.
The 17-year-old Steyn, who plays out of Modderfontein Golf Club and is part of the TuksSport academy, has played in the previous two Glacier Junior Series finals presented by Sanlam, and he said he was delighted to qualify again because he feels he has unfinished business at the finale of the countrywide series of 25 one-day regional junior events, each one sponsored and named after a professional golfer or golf administrator.
