Van der Klis claims dramatic maiden Big Easy title

Ryan van der Klis shot a final-round 66 to total 12-under and claim a dramatic come-from-behind victory in the 10th Betway Big Easy Tour event that was held at Observatory Golf Club.

The 24-year-old turned pro just four months ago after graduating from the Augusta University in July. Having had four top 10 finishes in his first five starts on this Sunshine Tour feeder circuit, Van der Klis got his breakthrough win in his sixth start, a testimony to his ability and very high work rate.

Van der Klis was two shots off the pace coming into the final round and his par-eagle-bogey start was decent enough to keep him within reach of the leaders which included Musiwalo Nethunzwi, veteran Ulrich van den Berg and Andrew Williamson.

Birdies on the fifth and seventh holes eased Van der Klis’ nerves as he turned in 34. Coming home, a bogey on 12 threatened to derail his progress but Van der Klis bounced back expertly, birdieing four of his last six holes to get to 12-under for a one-stroke victory.

“I’m truly ecstatic,” said Van der Klis after his dramatic win. “A lot of credit has to go to my coaches out at Augusta for getting me ready to compete at such a high level and against these really good professionals out here. It was nice.

“I wasn’t expecting to turn professional so early but the Betway Big Easy Tour has given me that opportunity to pursue that dream quite early and I had four top10s in the last five events and it’s nice to get the win on my sixth start.

“It’s nice to show up on the green and think ‘I belong here and I can do it’. So, to actually just prove it again with a win is satisfying and I’m incredibly happy to get the win here today.”

This was the final event of the regular season before The Play-off and The Finals where only the top 50 (play-off) and top 30 (final) players on the Order of Merit, will compete to conclude the season. Van der Klis’ triumph catapulted him to seventh on the Order of Merit, guaranteeing a spot in the abovementioned events.

From there, only the top 12 players on the final points standings will earn their Sunshine Tour cards for next season.

Scores

204 - Ryan van der Klis 69 69 66

205 - Andrew Williamson 72 67 66, Toto Thimba Jnr 73 65 67, Ulrich van den Berg 69 67 69

206 - Francois Van der Walt 71 68 67, Thanda Mavundla 70 68 68, Musiwalo Nethunzwi 70 66 70

207 - Warwick Purchase 72 68 67, Siyanda Mwandla 71 69 67, Steven Le Roux 72 67 68, Christopher Long 69 73 65, Karabo Mokoena 66 72 69

208 - James Kamte 70 70 68, Ryan Tipping 68 70 70

209 - Tumelo Molloyi 72 68 69, Slenda Sithebe 70 71 68, Trevor Mahoney 72 70 67

210 - Richard Joubert 69 72 69

211 - Regan Steyn 70 71 70, Jacques Van der Merwe 72 70 69, Drikus Joubert 71 71 69

212 - Jastice Mashego 74 68 70, Leon Visser 72 64 76

213 - Christian Kriek 72 70 71, Sabelo Xolani Majola 70 72 71

214 - Kian Coetzer 71 69 74, Reece Mc Kain 73 69 72, Erhard Lambrechts 71 71 72

215 - Lwazi Gqira 67 75 73

216 - Andre De Decker 73 69 74

217 - Jaden Deltel 74 67 76