Ryan van Velzen claimed his maiden victory on the Sunshine Tour in a dramatic last spherical of the Limpopo Championship on the Euphoria Golf and Lifestyle Estate on Sunday.
Big win for the teenager
At the tip of a tough week of climate delays which compelled the match to be decreased to 54 holes, the 21-year-old Van Velzen signed for a last spherical of 68 to win by a single stroke on 12 below par.
Jaco Prinsloo, Luca Filippi and Daniel van Tonder shared second place on 11 below par. Former South African Golf Development Board (SAGDB) member Franklin Manchest achieved a powerful prime 10 end on seven below par.
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An exhilarating Sunday started with the suspended second spherical being accomplished on Sunday morning. Prinsloo posted a 67 – together with 4 consecutive birdies on the again 9 – to assert a two-stroke lead on 11 below par, with Neil Schietekat his nearest challenger on 9 below par. Van Velzen was in a share of third place on eight below par.
In the third and last spherical, Prinsloo seemed to be nicely in management and headed for victory as he birdied the 16th for a one-stroke lead over Van Velzen with solely the par-five 18th to return. Van Velzen had already made it into the clubhouse on 12 below.
But Prinsloo double bogeyed the 18th after hitting his strategy deep into the left tough, with Van Velzen watching as he celebrated his first victory on the Sunshine Tour.
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“It’s incredible. It’s awesome,” stated an emotional Van Velzen. “This changes everything for me. I’m now into every single Sunshine Tour and DP World Tour co-sanctioned tournament next season.”
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Van Velzen’s putter was the important thing for him this week.
Van Velzen thanks putter
“I’ve been working really hard and I holed some good putts. I also stayed really calm during all the weather disruptions. My caddie Luke was such a big help for me. He kept me in a good space and we just had a good time out there. I’d set myself a target for 15 under overall. I didn’t get there, but I played unbelievable golf this whole week and had so much fun out there.” – Michael Vlismas
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