Moscow blow for Van der Walt

South African Dawie Van der Walt has been disqualified from this month’s Russian Open after it emerged he had signed for an incorrect score.

Van der Walt finished joint fourth in Moscow but had signed for a 68 in his third round instead of the 69 he had actually taken.

The 24-year-old forfeits the €71,200 prize money he won but will be allowed to keep the €9,000 he won in the Scandinavian Masters last week, despite only qualifying to play in Stockholm by virtue of his now discredited top-10 finish in Russia.

A statement from David Garland, director of tour operations for the European Tour read: “It has come to light that Dawie Van der Walt signed for a wrong score during the third round of The Russian Open Golf Championship.

“He signed for a four on the 13th hole where he took a five and even though the tournament is completed and closed, he is disqualified under Rule 34-1b III.

“The results of the Russian Open Golf Championship and The European Tour Order of Merit will be amended.

“As we were unaware of this discrepancy during the Scandinavian Masters, where Dawie qualified to play due to his top 10 in Russia, the results of the Scandinavian Masters will be unaffected.”