Van der Merwe claims emphatic victory for maiden title

Jacques van der Merwe entered the Betway Big Easy Tour winner’s circle in emphatic fashion as he raced to a two-stroke victory over England’s Joe Sullivan at CMR Golf Club on Thursday.

Van der Merwe brought a three-stroke lead into the final round after shooting an impressive 63 in round two to take his tournament total to 12-under. Coming into the final round, the Royal Johannesburg and Kensington Golf Club player knew the challenges that stood before him. The course was especially tough on Thursday and it showed during the final round.

Van der Merwe’s round of three-under 67 – which consisted of seven birdies and two double-bogeys – took his total to 15-under and two clear of Sullivan, who was just as impressive in very cold conditions in Roodepoort. Unfortunately for Sullivan, his effort was not enough to earn him his second win this season.

“I’d been in this situation (in contention) a few times before,” noted Van der Merwe after his win. “And I’ve always struggled. But last night and this morning, I just prayed and when I got here this morning, I just told myself to stick to the processes that have led me here, telling myself that ‘you’re good enough and you can do this’. I believed that I was the best golfer on this golf course today and it showed in the end.

“I just went back to basics and I think that’s the most important thing to do. I focused so well on the small stuff that it worked out so well for me.”

Van Der Merwe admitted, however, that despite it looking like it was an easy win, he was as nervous as they came as he stood over his birdie putt on the last hole.

“I was shaking,” he said. “I didn’t really make it easy for myself. But when that ball went in, it was just a massive sigh of relief. My first professional win and on the Big Easy Tour, it’s just insane. I couldn’t imagine something better than that.”

With his win, Van der Merwe moves to fifth on the Order of Merit. The top 12 players on those rankings will earn their Sunshine Tour cards at the end of the campaign.

The Betway Big Easy Tour is the Sunshine Tour’s feeder circuit and enjoys the support of the legendary Ernie Els, among other patrons.

Scores

195 - Jacques van der Merwe 65 63 67

197 - Joe Sullivan 66 68 63

200 - Bradley De Beer 67 64 69

201 - Haydn Porteous 66 66 69

203 - Adam Breen 73 66 64

204 - Khanya Mkhize 67 68 69, Richard Joubert 66 68 70

205 - Louis Liebenberg 67 72 66, Daniel Cronje 70 65 70

206 - Leon Vorster 67 72 67, David Amm 67 70 69, Austin Cherichella 70 67 69, Harry Konig 68 69 69, LB Boshoff 64 72 70, Regan Steyn 66 68 72, Liam Ross 66 68 72

207 - Jason Froneman 67 71 69

208 - Shaunak Rama 71 68 69, Steven Le Roux 70 68 70, Brandon Pieters 68 69 71, Drikus Joubert 66 69 73, Leon Visser 69 65 74

209 - Jaden Deltel 67 72 70

210 - Brandon Gildenhuys 68 73 69

211 - Jonathan Ackerman 67 68 76

212 - Jayden Hoskins 69 72 71

213 - Wandre Snyman 72 69 72

214 - Keelan Africa 71 70 73, Jonathan Waschefort 70 71 73, Kyle Kistensamy 73 68 73, Christiaan Pretorius 72 68 74

215 - Dean Ralphs 68 71 76, Sean Howell 67 71 77

218 - Tiger Adams 75 65 78