England’s Matthew Baldwin claimed his first victory in his 200th begin on the DP World Tour when he received the SDC Championship, which is co-sanctioned with the Sunshine Tour, by seven strokes at St Francis Links on Sunday.
Baldwin closed with a 68 to win on 18 below par and devoted his victory to his late stepfather. “It’s been a tough 12 months. My stepdad died last May, and this is for him,” he said.
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Spain’s Adri Arnaus took second place on 11 below par with a last spherical of 67, whereas Jaco Ahlers completed because the main South African in tied third place on 10 below par with a final-round 68.
Unbelievable feeling
“It’s unbelievable,” a relieved Baldwin mentioned of his win. “It’s my 200th start so I’ve had plenty of opportunities. It’s just an unbelievable feeling right now.”
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It was an extended weekend of golf for the sphere, and which Baldwin managed beautifully. The wind that pressured the suspension of the sooner rounds meant the third spherical needed to be carried over into Sunday morning, with Baldwin ending this with a stable 65 which lifted him to 14 below par total. The Englishman had a four-stroke lead over Norway’s Kristian Krogh Johannessen going into the ultimate spherical and was by no means challenged.
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“I played well all week. I was so steady out there and I think that maybe put the pressure on those around me to try and play more attacking golf, and I was fortunate to come out on the right side of it.”
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Baldwin: ‘I can relax’
It additionally comes at a very good time for him each professionally and personally.
“It certainly makes the rest of the year more relaxing. I can plan a schedule. I’m also due to get married this year or the next, so I’ll be able to have a couple of weeks off to help plan that which is exciting.”
But the last word reward is the arrogance this win has introduced him.
“It proves a lot to me. It proves that I’m good enough to be out here. I’ve had plenty of doubt and this proves everything to me.” – Michael Vlismas
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