TROWBRIDGE professional Steve Surry narrowly missed out on victory at the Nedbank Affinity Cup in South Africa today - but should have earned himself an ample consolation prize.

Cumberwell Park ace Surry, 31, finished a shot behind eventual winner Jacques Blaauw at the Lost City Golf Club in Sun City, having at one stage looked set for a play-off.

Surry, who followed by an opening round 64 with a 70 in the 54-hole event, carded a four-under-par 68 to finish on 14 under in total and was in a three-way tie for the lead with Blaauw and Ulrich van den Berg when the weather forced a temproary suspension of play.

Upon the restart, Blaauw birdied the 18th to snatch victory, but Surry walked away with a cheque for 68,250 Rand (about £4,000) and almost certainly a place in the prestigious South African Open Championship later this month.

Surry now 60th on the Sunshine Tour Order of Merit having played only 10 events, will join the likes of former Open champion David Duval (USA), 2011 Masters champion Charl Schwartzel and two-time US champion Retief Goosen in the 103rd South African Open Championship at Glendower from November 21-24.

The event is also the first event on the 2014 European Tour schedule and world number four Henrik Stenson and European Ryder Cup captain Paul McGinley are also scheduled to play.

REACTION FROM SURRY TO HIS PERFORMANCE IN NEXT WEEK'S WILTSHIRE TIMES