Van der Walt belatedly disqualified from Moscow

ZANDVOORT, Netherlands, Aug 23 (Reuters) South African Dawie Van der Walt has been belatedly disqualified from the Russian Open in which he finished fourth three weeks ago.

Van der Walt, 24, signed for a wrong score on a hole during the third round and subsequently signed for a round of 68 when it should have been 69. The error came to light only yesterday.

The European Tour took away Van der Walt's prize money of 96,580 dollars today and his fourth place and amended the money list accordingly.

Van der Walt's top-10 finish in Moscow earned him a spot in last week's Scandinavian Masters, in which he finished tied for 43rd, but officials said he would not have to forfeit his place nor his 6,171 pounds winnings in that event.

European Tour director of operations David Garland said in a statement: ''He signed for a four on the 13th, where he took a five, and even though the tournament is completed he is disqualified.

''As we were unaware of this discrepancy during the Scandinavian Masters, the results (there) will be unaffected.'' After shooting a three-over 73 in the Dutch Open first round today, Van der Walt flourished his errant card, which showed his 69 crossed out and replaced by a 68, inserted, he said, by a recorder.

''I signed for a 69 and it got changed, I don't want to say any more than that,'' the South African told reporters, agreeing that he might appeal against the decision.

Reuters BJR GC1930