Month: November 2023

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12th November 2023

Homa’s African safari ends with a win in ‘Africa’s Major’

When the sun rises in Africa, you want to be the lion rather than the impala. That’s what Max Homa kept telling himself in the final round of a Nedbank Golf Challenge where he played like a lion to win ‘Africa’s Major’ at Sun City on Sunday.

Homa closed with a 66 at the Gary Player Country Club that included a memorable eagle on the ninth to win by four shots on 19 under par. It was the first victory by an American in this tournament since Jim Furyk in 2006, and it capped what Homa described as a life-changing first visit to Africa.

“Back home I’m fortunate to get a lot of great support. But I just can’t really get over that I can come across the world to people I’ve never met and they can be this kind and welcoming. I had these kids following me all day and they kept boosting me whenever it got tight and they kept cheering my name. I also had the mantra of rather be the lion than the impala in my head. And walking up 18 and that ovation was extra special. I just have to give so much credit to this country and the quality of the people,” said Homa.

Homa started strong and was three under through eight holes. Despite this he still had to withstand a strong charge from Denmark’s Thorbjørn Olesen, and the key moment came on the iconic par-five ninth hole.

“The shot of the tournament for me was on nine. If you’d told me I was three under through eight I would’ve thought I’d be leading and I was rather surprised to be tied for the lead with Thorbjørn on the ninth fairway. My swing felt good and I wanted to make a statement to myself, so I hit a beautiful three iron onto that green and made a relatively easy putt. It was a good time to hit a great shot.”

Olesen couldn’t sustain his charge and finished third on 14 under with a 69, while Nicolai Højgaard pushed through with a 68 to finish second on 15 under par. Justin Thomas came with a strong final round of 66 to take fourth place on 12 under par. And Hennie du Plessis finished as the leading South African in sixth place on 10 under par and on his debut in this tournament.

But on yet another memorable Sunday afternoon at Sun City, it was Homa who birdied two of his final four holes to add his name to the long list of great champions of this tournament.

“I walked down that walkway to the ninth green today again and I pictured a plaque with my name on it alongside all the other greats there. It’s awesome to add my name to that. This is one of the more memorable weeks I’ve ever had. The safari we had last weekend – I just can’t put it into words. Then to come out here and put the cherry on top is fantastic. I’m excited to get home and see my son. I left when he had two teeth and now he’s got six.”

And as he flies home with a cheque for just over one million dollars, that’s the tooth fairy taken care of as well.

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11th November 2023

Homa chasing glory in ‘Africa’s Major’

It’s always the names on the walkway that do it, and for Max Homa it’s no exception.

The American, who will take a one-stroke lead into Sunday’s final round of the Nedbank Golf Challenge, admits that seeing the names of the winners of this event on the walkway that leads to the ninth green makes him determined to add his on there as well.

“Every day we walk up the ninth and they have the plaques of everyone who’s won here, and the names are impressive,” said Homa after his third-round 69 for the lead on 13 under par.

He is one stroke clear of Frenchman Matthieu Pavon who added a 70 on another day of intense heat at Sun City’s Gary Player Country Club. Nicolai Højgaard and Thorbjørn Olesen are both on 11 under par, with defending champion Tommy Fleetwood going into the final round on seven under.

But while in the future there stands the famous crystal trophy of ‘Africa’s Major’ for the winner on Sunday, it’s to the past that Homa has had his eye on over these last three days. In particular, the names of past champions Johnny Miller, Seve Ballesteros, Bernhard Langer, Ian Woosnam, Nick Price, Nick Faldo, Ernie Els, Sergio Garcia and, most notably for him, Jim Furyk.

Furyk was the last American champion here at Sun City in 2006.

“It would be amazing to add my name to the tradition that’s been here,” said Homa, who has done a superb job of slowly acclimatising to a golf course he is playing for the first time and on the back of perhaps the least tournament preparation he’s ever had following a lengthy break.

After what he described as a “scrappy” start to his third round, Homa started to find his rhythm and then clicked into something truly special on the par-five 10th hole when he chipped in from the bunker for eagle.

“That was big because I felt like I had been hitting some really good shots and not capitalising. I felt like nothing was going my way, so to have that one go in felt like a nice boost. It was one of those fun ones where at about 12 feet out you feel it just can’t miss.”

Behind him, Pavon is still feeding off the confidence of his maiden DP World Tour win in October.

“My confidence is high. The game feels good and now I’m competing against some of the best players in the world, so all I can do is give it my all in the final round.”

And Homa will do the same, reminding himself of the history of this great event as he looks to make history of his own.

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10th November 2023

Homa and Pavon share lead at Sun City

The Nedbank Golf Challenge is poised for an intense weekend of action with a leaderboard that is as hot as the midday African sun and with American Max Homa and Frenchman Matthieu Pavon locked in a share of the lead at Sun City.

On a day when the 66-man field was given the option to wear shorts in the stifling heat, Homa signed for a 68 and Pavon added a 66 to see them share the lead on 10 under par. They are one stroke clear of England’s Dan Bradbury, who bogeyed the last to slip out of the lead.

European Ryder Cup star Nicolai Højgaard is just two shots back while Hennie du Plessis leads the South African challenge on seven under par.

But with defending champion Tommy Fleetwood and double Major champion Justin Thomas only four back, there is still plenty to unfold on the fairways of the Gary Player Country Club over the next 36 holes.

For Homa, it was another pleasant surprise to be at the top of this leaderboard.

“I’m very pleased and a little surprised. The body has felt better as the week’s gone on. I woke up today and felt like a golfer again. If you’re going to fly 20-odd hours over here you might as well play some good golf, so it’s nice that I’m doing that,” said the world number eight.

Pavon has been feeling equally comfortable.

“It’s been two solid days. Everything is clear in my mind and I just show up and do my best. I’m more focused on me than what anybody else is doing. I’ll grind as much as possible and then we see what happens on Sunday.”

But for both, the key has been avoiding the trouble lurking around these 18 holes.

“I played really smart and made it pretty stress free. You have to guess the wind right a lot. It’s incredibly confusing. So I feel like patience is key. I feel like we’ve done a good job in knowing where to leave the second shots and where not to be.

“It’s a very demanding golf course. You’re going to be out of position and you’re going to have some tricky shots, so I try not to overpower it. I’ll just play conservatively and rely on the putter.”

It was a similar theme for Pavon.

“I haven’t put myself in any trouble out there. It’s tight around the flags here so you need to be conscious about where you can miss.”

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Perfect start for Homa in ‘Africa’s Major’

American Max Homa said he wanted to put on a show for the Sun City crowds on his Nedbank Golf Challenge debut and he certainly did that on Thursday as he claimed a share of the first-round lead in ‘Africa’s Major’.

The world number eight opened with a six-under-par 66 to share a one-stroke lead with Nicolai Højgaard, Dan Bradbury and Vincent Norrman.

Any anxiety Homa had about being tournament rusty after a lengthy break was dispelled by his perfect start.

“It was mildly shocking. I would’ve assumed I’d shoot six over rather than six under so it was a treat,” said a surprised Homa, who never dropped a single shot in the heat of round one.

“It was very stress free. This is a tricky golf course. If you’re in the fairway I feel like you can get some good looks for birdie. I putted very well today. I was obviously pretty rusty so the goal was to just give myself some putts and ease my way into it.

“I don’t feel like I’m swinging it amazing but my short irons were really good. I was very accurate. Off the tee I didn’t feel perfect but I just felt like I knew where I could miss it and I did a good job of controlling that. On the back nine I was able to find something with my driver and could be a bit more aggressive.”

Amongst his co-leaders, Englishman Bradbury was a familiar sight at the top of a leaderboard in South Africa. The reigning Joburg Open champion was equally pleased with his start. “I think it’s the good steaks I eat in South Africa that make me play well here,” he said.

Just one shot behind the leaders is the trio of Adrian Meronk, Ryo Hisatsune and Julien Guerrier. Francesco Molinari finished the opening day just two shots off the lead.

The tournament also celebrated only its second hole-in-one in its history as Sweden’s Jens Dantorp aced the par-three seventh hole.

Hennie du Plessis is the leading South African after day one following a round of two-under-par 70.

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8th November 2023

American stars loving their South African safari

The American duo of Max Homa and Justin Thomas have already had their first experience of South African hospitality and the wildlife, and on Thursday they will tee it up in their first Nedbank Golf Challenge feeling equally excited about what’s to come over the next four days at Sun City.

Homa and Thomas are part of a stellar 66-man field gathered at the Gary Player Country Club for this year’s edition of ‘Africa’s Major’, and the two PGA Tour stars say they have been blown away by their experience of South Africa thus far.

“There has been a lot of kindness and a lot of smiles. People are saying thank you for coming to South Africa. I never thought that would be a common sentiment. Everyone is super excited for the golf tournament and it’s fun to be a part of that,” said Homa.

“When I was growing up, I watched this tournament and tons of DP World Tour events that I always wanted to play in. With the previous PGA Tour schedule it would be wild to try and do this. But now with a real off-season for us, I made it a point to play at least one over here. To be able to get a spot here and play has been a dream. You want to experience what golf at large has to offer and this has been a pretty special week so far.”

It’s a sentiment shared by Thomas.

“It’s been spectacular. I know what I’ve seen on TV (about South Africa), but you don’t know what to expect until you get here. It’s been great. We had an unbelievable little holiday prior to this week and everybody treated us so well. It’s a shame it’s so far away because my wife and I said we’d love to come here again. Everybody has treated us better than we deserve, I feel.

“It’s one thing running into fans in the States because there’s an opportunity they could see you again. But in South Africa, this is a chance that a lot of fans get to see Max Homa for the first time ever. I’m enjoying it. If we can come here and inspire people that’s a successful trip, and we’re fortunate to play in a great tournament on a great golf course while we’re doing it.”

The two golfers also enjoyed a memorable bush experience that they’re also struggling to put into words.

“The safari is life changing. I don’t know how I’m supposed to explain this to my friends and family. I would never do it justice,” said Homa.

“The safari is so hard to explain to people who haven’t done it. It’s just wild and you have even more respect for those animals,” added Thomas.

And Homa in particular is determined to reward the South African fans with his golf at Sun City this week.

“To win here would be amazing. You come do something new, and this is ‘Africa’s Major’. It’s a big deal to the players and to this entire country. You want to come over here and perform and put on a show, so getting a win here would be tremendous.”

Tickets can be purchased by clicking here.

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7th November 2023

Lombard ready for another shot at ‘Africa’s Major’

South Africa’s Zander Lombard is determined to use his experience of leading the Nedbank Golf Challenge in 2019 as he prepares for another shot at ‘Africa’s Major’ at the Gary Player Country Club this week.

Lombard was delighted to be back at Sun City on Tuesday for an event which this year boasts a stellar 66-man field including defending champion Tommy Fleetwood, Major winners Justin Rose, Francesco Molinari and Justin Thomas, and Ryder Cup stars Max Homa, Nicolai Højgaard and Robert MacIntyre as well as a host of other DP World Tour winners.

“It’s great to be back. It’s always a special week with friends and family that come to support. That’s what you play golf for. It’s great to have a few of the PGA Tour golfers here as well and it adds to the value of this event. I’m just really looking forward to this week,” said Lombard.

The South African had a memorable 2019 tournament when he played alongside Ernie Els and Lee Westwood in the second round and shot 65 to lead by two going into the weekend. He then enjoyed a Saturday in front of his home fans and which he finished with a one-stroke lead going into the final round, before ending tied eighth.

“It was just so special playing with Ernie and Lee. I gained a lot from that week in terms of how to deal with that pressure and how to entertain the fans while still focusing on your golf. I’ve matured a lot in the two years since then and I’m looking forward to the challenge this week.

“I’m currently 30th on the Race to Dubai Rankings and I’ve had a solid season. I went a bit quiet during the middle of the season, but the start and the finish of it has been strong. My game is in a good place. My head is in a good place. I’m just really looking forward to putting a good score together this week. I’ve got nothing to lose and will just play my best.”

Tickets can be purchased by clicking here.

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Football legend Michael Owen will join SunBet exclusively at 2023 Nedbank Golf Challenge

Football legend, pundit and SunBet brand ambassador Michael Owen will be part of Team SunBet at this year’s Nedbank Golf Challenge from November 9-12 at the Gary Player Country Club at Sun City.

Owen will join Tean Sunbet at this iconic event as the former Liverpool, Manchester United and England striker makes a guest appearance at this year’s tournament and joins the Sun City fans in watching a 66-man field that this year features Ryder Cup stars and Major winners, including Justin Thomas, Max Homa, Justin Rose, Robert MacIntyre and defending champion Tommy Fleetwood, as well as multiple DP World Tour winners Rasmus Højgaard and Adrian Meronk.

“I’m absolutely thrilled to be back in South Africa as a proud SunBet ambassador. SunBet’s involvement in the Nedbank Golf Challenge is a fantastic opportunity, and I can’t wait to see how it all unfolds.” 

“As someone who’s passionate about sports, being at the Nedbank Golf Challenge is a real treat. I’m looking forward to meeting SunBet customers, enjoying some top-tier golf and experiencing the Sun City hospitality.”

The 2023 edition of the Nedbank Golf Challenge will be a festival for golf fans and punters alike, with SunBet, the official sports betting partner of “Africa’s Major”, offering better odds and more markets at this year’s tournament as well as two VIP interactive golf games.

SunBet will have a variety of markets to choose from to cater for every need with an extensive array of pre-match and Live-in-Play offerings (https://sunbet.co.za/.html#filter/all/all/all/all/in-play) which includes:

  • Outright winner
  • Leader after each round
  • Top nationalities
  • Live-in-Play hole winner
  • Live-in-Play winning margins
  • Live-in-Play group betting

Golf fans will once again have the luxury of quick and easy betting online during the week of the Nedbank Golf Challenge.

Placing a bet is as easy as registering an account, making a deposit and picking a winner.

“SunBet is South Africa’s premier online gaming and sports betting platform. We’re delighted to welcome Michael Owen to Sun City for one of SA’s most iconic events. We are looking forward to an exciting tournament whilst giving our fans the option of the best array of golf betting markets as well as live interactive games at the tournament for our VIPs. The quality of this year’s field is matched by what we believe is an equally unrivalled golf betting platform,” said Simon Gregory, SunBet CEO.

“We’re catering for the whole experience this year of exciting pre-tournament and live betting options to ensure that fans can really embrace every aspect of their love for golf and this tournament through their SunBet experience,” said Gregory.

There will also be OTT kiosks conveniently situated at the entrance of the SunBet marquee, where the public can purchase vouchers which can be used to bet on the Nedbank Golf Challenge as well as other sports. These vouchers can be purchased by cash or debit or credit card.

SunBet offers an astounding betting experience, complete with sophisticated features and products, such as the ever-popular Slots, Live Games, Sports Betting, BetGames and Lucky Numbers

All Sun MVG members have the opportunity of linking their SunBet accounts with their MVG cards, with each online bet struck at SunBet counting towards their Sun MVG balance.

The 2023 Nedbank Golf Challenge will once again be included on the DP World Tour schedule in partnership with Nedbank and Sun International and will be the penultimate event before the season-ending DP World Tour Championship, Dubai.

Tickets can be purchased by clicking here.

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The Score with Erik van Rooyen

South African Erik van Rooyen claimed an emotional two-stroke victory at the World Wide Technology Championship at the Tiger Woods-designed El Cardonal at Diamante in Los Cabos, Mexico for his second PGA TOUR career win. The triumph was bittersweet as he had received news earlier in the week that his best friend, Jon Trasamar, was terminally ill with cancer.

By Erik van Rooyen

To be honest, I don’t really know where to start. I was quite numb after that eagle putt went in on 18 and you imagine yourself being full of euphoria and being ecstatic, and I was just numb. I think it’s because of everything that’s happened with my friend, Jon Trasamar being so sick. I guess the moment hasn’t hit me yet.

I was calm during the final round because there is bigger stuff in life than golf. If you look at my ball, there’re music notes on there and “J.T.” written on it and it’s for my best friend. He’s got melanoma and he’s not going to make it. Every shot out there was for him. When you’re playing for something bigger than winning some trophy, it puts things into perspective. At the end of the day, whether I won here or lost, it did not really matter. When something motivates you like that, when you make a putt or miss a putt, who cares.

The emotions got to me after the second round. I’d shot 8-under, I get back to my room and I just break down in tears. It wasn’t that calm all the time but when I step onto the golf course, I’ve got a job to do and that’s what it comes down too at the end of the day, doing your job. Now we can celebrate and cry. Until the last putt, it was all focus and doing it for Jon. We love him so much and I’m still in disbelief what he’s going through. I wish I could take all his pain away. We’re flying up to Minnesota to see him and we’ll give him a high five.

When I left South Africa to the U.S. as a 19-year-old, it’s never easy as I grew up in a really small town. Leaving home wasn’t easy. Jon and his family lived about two hours away from Minneapolis, and I arrived in Minnesota in September of 2009 and they were there at the airport to meet me, to say hi, because he was going to be my roommate and teammate at University of Minnesota soon after. We obviously became best friends. He’s like a brother to me. We were roommates for three out of the four years I was in college. I still think he’s got one of the best short games I’ve ever seen and he pursued a career in golf up until recently. 

Jon was diagnosed with Stage 4 melanoma about a year ago. He was clean in April when he gave me a call and sent a picture of the scan and he was free of cancer. So obviously that was an incredible moment for all of us. Not soon after, it came back. I knew it was going to be an uphill battle. On Tuesday, he sent us a text, saying he’s got six to 10 weeks left. They did a bunch of scans and cancer was in all his organs, everywhere. I don’t think he’s got that much time left. I hope he was watching the final round. We’ve texted and I’ve told him how much I love him. All I want is to go play nine holes with him somewhere. And extremely selfishly, that puts all of this into perspective. Is it fun to win golf tournaments? Yeah, it’s fun. I’ve been playing golf since I was 8 years old, extremely competitive and we want to win. But it doesn’t matter. When I kick the bucket one day, whenever that might be, this is not what I’m going to be thinking about. I’m going to be thinking about the people I love the most and Jon Trasamar is one of those people.

It’s been a trying year up until about two months ago when it came to my golf. For sure, it’s been the worst year of my career to date. I was struggling and made a coaching change and started working with Sean Foley the week of the U.S. Open and started turning things around.

Sean helps mainly with perspective. I wasn’t hitting it that bad when I started working with him, but I wasn’t getting great results. I was missing cuts. I think at one point, I missed 10 cuts in a row. So I think what makes Sean so great is, he’s got this awesome knowledge about the golf swing and the human body, and how the body functions and how to get the club square on the ball, but just perspective. When we talk, sometimes it’s an hour and we don’t even talk about golf. We talk about life and the person you want to be, how you want to be on the golf course, not being an idiot out there and being the person off the course and being the same person on the golf course. That’s really the conversations we’ve had.

It’s also quite special to win on a golf course designed by Tiger Woods. I saw Tiger earlier in the week and he’s obviously an absolute legend of the game and to play on a golf course that he’s designed and to win a PGA TOUR tournament that is somehow in a small part linked to him, it’s extremely special.

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6th November 2023

Inspired Van Rooyen claims second PGA Tour title

The hug was deep and meaningful. Erik van Rooyen was silent as his lengthy eagle putt dropped and he pumped one fist while his caddie Alex Gaugert put both his arms in the air. A silent stare followed between player and caddie. These long-time friends didn’t need to say anything. How could they? Why would they? They already knew.

This one was for Jon.

Jon Trasamar played collegiate golf alongside van Rooyen and Gaugert at the University of Minnesota. They won the 2014 Big Ten Championship as a team, and Trasamar finished tied for third as an individual. He kept clawing away at the grind that is professional golf. Mini-tours, mostly. A caddie gig to help pay the bills. A wife, Allie – they met in 2016 and were married in 2022.

And then melanoma. Cancer. He was in remission, and then, via text on Tuesday, van Rooyen and Gaugert learned the cancer had returned and spread throughout his body. Van Rooyen, after winning his second PGA TOUR title on Sunday at the World Wide Technology Championship, admitted the terrible truth. His friend was not going to make it. He and Gaugert would fly to Minnesota on Monday to see him for, likely, one of the last times. Van Rooyen said his friend has six to 10 weeks left – maybe less.

And that’s life. Real life. He knows the best man at his wedding won’t be around much longer.

“Every shot out there today was for him,” van Rooyen said, minutes after his victory at El Cardonal at Diamante was confirmed.

Van Rooyen admitted Friday after his round he got back to his hotel room and broke down in tears. He said Saturday night a win would “mean everything” because it would secure his job for 2024 – he entered the week at No. 125 on the FedExCup Fall standings, squarely on the bubble to retain TOUR exempt status – and he could go home to see his friend.

As a 19-year-old, van Rooyen left South Africa to attend the University of Minnesota. Trasamar and his family met him at the airport – they lived about two hours away from Minneapolis – and they were college roommates for three years.

“He was like a brother to me,” van Rooyen said.

Van Rooyen gets plenty with this victory – job security and opportunities for big events and nearly $1.5 million – but winning wasn’t the emphasis, he said. He might not have cared whether he won or lost Sunday, but van Rooyen did win. In style, too.

Sunday brought high drama throughout, with four players separated by just a shot into the 72nd hole. But van Rooyen wasn’t playing for himself. He didn’t care about the birdies because he wasn’t thinking about the birdies. His friend, who he loves, was going through something that van Rooyen couldn’t believe.

Before he knew it, van Rooyen had an eagle attempt to win the whole thing. He had made six birdies already in eight holes, including mid-range efforts on Nos. 16 and 17. There was no way he was missing that eagle putt.

An incredible 8-under 28 on the back nine and a 9-under 63 Sunday in Mexico meant a two-shot victory over Matt Kuchar and Camilo Villegas. It was van Rooyen’s second TOUR title, his first coming at the 2021 Barracuda Championship.

It was a trying year, van Rooyen said. Coming into the week, he missed more cuts than he made and was 151st on TOUR in Strokes Gained: Total. He started working with instructor Sean Foley at the U.S. Open and has seen gradual improvement. The results have followed, slowly but surely; he finished tied for sixth at the Barracuda Championship in August, and he arrived in Mexico on the strength of five straight top-25s between the TOUR and DP World Tour.

Things coalesced on Sunday, with fervor.

“Listen,” Kuchar said, “the birdie-birdie-eagle finish is impressive. What was that?. … 8-under par on the final nine holes is quite an awesome finale. Hard to keep up with.

“At the end of the day you tip your hat and say that’s some awesome playing.”

It was indeed.

It was a dedicated triumph. Surround yourself, as the saying goes, only with people who are going to lift you higher.

Erik van Rooyen knew that about Jon Trasamar. No words were needed after that hug with Gaugert. They knew. It was a win for a friend.

“When I kick the bucket one day, whenever that might be, this is not what I’m going to be thinking about,” van Rooyen said. “I’m going to be thinking about the people that I love the most, and Jon Trasamar is one of those people.” – PGA Tour

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Sweet reward as Schietekat winsVodacom Origins Final

KNYSNA, Western Cape – After a challenging few weeks in which he battled with an injury, Neil Schietekat was rewarded with a two-stroke victory in the Vodacom Origins of Golf Final at the Pezula Championship Course on Sunday.

Schietekat showed every bit of his experience as he closed with a 67 to win on 15 under par overall, with Jacques P de Villiers finishing second on 13 under following a final round of 70. Hennie O’Kennedy took third place on 10 under par after signing for a 69.

Tara Griebenow finished as the leading Sunshine Ladies Tour professional in the field on five over par with a final round of 75.

It’s been a tough period for Schietekat as he had to carry an injury while still playing in Asia at a critical part in the season. But it culminated in his second victory this season after winning the FBC Zimbabwe Open in May.

“It was a good week and I really want to thank my caddie for sticking with me through this injury and when the golf has struggled. But this brings us both a smile,” said Schietekat, who also won the magnificent prize of a six night Christmas cruise courtesy of MSC Cruises South Africa.

It’s also his second victory on a Vodacom Origins of Golf series that he’s been playing on since he arrived on the Sunshine Tour in 2007. Schietekat came close to adding his name to the illustrious winners on this series when he finished second in 2008 and he had another runner-up finish in 2013. Then in 2018 he won the Western Cape leg of the series.

“This one is definitely a sweet win for me. Vodacom has been part of the Sunshine Tour ever since I started out in 2007. They’ve been a great supporter of the Tour. Without them we wouldn’t have had the playing opportunities we do in the winter. Pezula was also just amazing this week.” – Michael Vlismas