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A weekend of South African golf success around the world has inspired Tristen Strydom to push even harder for his maiden Sunshine Tour victory when he tees it up in this week’s Vodacom Championship Unlocked at ERPM Golf Club.

Strydom is part of another strong local field that returns to action on Wednesday after a two-week break on the Sunshine Tour’s Rise-Up Series, and he says that watching Garrick Higgo claim his maiden European Tour title this past weekend is all the motivation he needs to work even harder on his own career.

“In my first year out of school I moved to Stellenbosch and spent quite a bit of time with Garrick. I’ve always known he’s a really good golfer. To do what he’s done so soon in his career proves he’s the real deal. And it motivates me because I’ve played against him, and he’s beaten me and I’ve beaten him. So it motivates me to just keep working even harder,” he said.

Strydom has been edging ever closer to a victory on this Rise-Up Series. He finished tied 13^th in the African Bank Sunshine Tour Championship, and then was tied for the lead with George Coetzee going into the final round of the Titleist Championship before finishing second there.

“It gives you confidence because I’ve proven that I can compete out here on the Sunshine Tour, and this week I’m going in with that comfort of knowing I’m playing well. But golf is a funny game and you just need to take it one step at a time.”

Strydom certainly won’t be alone in having taken inspiration from an outstanding weekend for South African professional golf. While Higgo was winning in Portugal, Coetzee finished third there a week after winning his fifth European Tour title. In the US Open, Louis Oosthuizen played his way to a finish of third at Winged Foot. Then on the PGA Tour Champions, Ernie Els and Retief Goosen both finished within the top five in the PURE Insurance Championship at Pebble Beach. And on the LPGA Tour, Ashleigh Buhai lost a playoff for the Cambia Portland Classic as she chased a first LPGA Tour title in Main.

It will be with those achievements in mind that the likes of young stars such as Strydom, Deon Germishuys, Jayden Schaper, Thriston Lawrence, James Hart du Preez, Jayden Schaper and Luca Filippi will all be setting some lofty goals for themselves at ERPM this week.

The Vodacom Championship Unlocked is part of a strong back-to-back finish of Vodacom events to the Rise-Up Series. This week’s event will be followed by the Vodacom Championship Reloaded at Huddle Park Golf Club next week, making for two weeks totalling R1.2 million in prize money for the local professionals. – Michael Vlismas.

The Sunshine Tour’s continued drive to restart its schedule has been given another major boost with the announcement that Vodacom will sponsor the final two tournaments on the Tour’s new Rise-Up Series.

The five-tournament Rise-Up Series will now close with back-to-back Vodacom tournaments totalling a joint R1.2 million in prize money.

The Vodacom Championship Unlocked will be played at ERPM Golf Club from 23-25 September, followed by the Vodacom Championship Reloaded at Huddle Park Golf Club from 30 September to 2 October.

“Vodacom has a proud history with South African professional golf, and a longstanding commitment to the deeper development of the game and its South African stars. As such we’re extremely proud to be able to support the restart of the Sunshine Tour through the new Rise-Up Series, and to help not only the professionals and those who work in golf but also the fans to stay connected through sport,” said Michelle van Eyden, Head of Sponsorship at Vodacom.

The Rise-Up Series has marked the official restart of the Sunshine Tour’s schedule after the Tour was forced to suspend its activities in March as per the national lockdown regulations.

“Vodacom is one of our longest-standing partners on the Sunshine Tour and we are extremely grateful for their support of the Rise-Up Series and for assisting us in giving our members playing opportunities as we continue to navigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Selwyn Nathan, Commissioner of the Sunshine Tour.

Vodacom’s support of South African professional golf is one of the longest in the history of the local game, covering tournament sponsorships, golf development and caddie programmes.

The Vodacom Origins of Golf Series, an annual series of tournaments on the winter schedule of the Sunshine Tour, is also the longest running pro-am series in South African professional golf with a history dating back to 2004 and having helped develop the careers of stars such as Louis Oosthuizen, Branden Grace, Charl Schwartzel and George Coetzee.

The Rise-Up Series teed off in August and has already featured three tournaments at Killarney Country Club, Glendower Golf Club and Pretoria Country Club.

George Coetzee won the last event at Pretoria Country Club, shortly before claiming his fifth European Tour victory in the Portugal Masters. Darren Fichardt and Daniel van Tonder are the other winners on the Rise-Up Series to date.

Louis Oosthuizen is four shots off the US Open lead with Sunday’s final round to come, and in a great position to chase his second Major championship victory.

Oosthuizen took advantage of a good draw on Saturday and signed for a 68 to climb to one under par overall, with American Matthew Wolff leading the field on five under. Bryson DeChambeau is Wolff’s nearest challenger on three under following his third round of 70.

“Any under-par round at a US Open you’ll take,” Oosthuizen told the media. “I think we got very lucky with the draw today. Waking up this morning, watching a bit of golf, you could see it was really cold, windy, and definitely died down for us. The sun came out a little bit. Definitely lucky on the draw today.”

The South African has been quietly figuring out how to play a US Open, with this being the Major that’s seen him record the most top 10 finishes, including tied seventh in 2019, tied second in 2015 and tied ninth in 2011. And he knows exactly what he needs to do in the final round.

“I need to play pretty similar to what I did today. You need to hit fairways. I think everyone out there now, especially on this golf course, knows you need to be patient. A lot can happen even in the last two, three holes, so try and get yourself in a position with three, four, five holes to go and see what you can do. This golf course, you can’t play it out of the rough. You need to be in the fairway even though if you’re a little further back, and from there you can do something.”

Louis Oosthuizen heads the South African challenge at the US Open after coming through an incomplete first round only two strokes off the lead, and with a new US Open record.

Oosthuizen opened with a round of three-under-par 67 at Winged Foot and is chasing the five-under-par lead of Justin Thomas following a day when the famed golf course appeared in a particularly benign mood. The round had to be suspended because of darkness.

Oosthuizen’s round was his eighth career round of 67 or lower in the US Open and broke a tie with Jack Nicklaus (7) for most rounds of 67 or better in US Open history.

Fellow South African Shaun Norris also made a positive start with his round of one-under-par 69. “The golf course is tough. You’ve got to hit fairways. You’ve got to hit greens. That’s the basic thing about this course. But I really hit the ball nicely. I was happy with it. I gave myself a lot of opportunities, so I can’t complain,” Norris told the media.

Erik van Rooyen and Christiaan Bezuidenhout came through round one at level par.

JC Ritchie was amongst the leaders early in the first round but eventually settled for a round of four-over-par 74. Branden Grace signed for a 75, while Justin Harding opened with a 77.

It’s been 16 years since a South African last triumphed in the US Open, and this week seven of the country’s finest will be giving it their best shot at Winged Foot.

Christiaan Bezuidenhout, Shaun Norris, JC Ritchie, Erik van Rooyen, Justin Harding, Branden Grace and Louis Oosthuizen are in the field for only the second Major of 2020, and one where the course is already a talking point.

“I think it’s right up there next to Oakmont and I think Carnoustie as far as just sheer difficulty without even doing anything to it,” Tiger Woods told the media this week.

“I think this place tests every single aspect of your game, so I don’t think I could single out the toughest thing that you need to do or the hardest thing you’re going to have to do this week. It’s all pretty tough,” added Rory McIlroy.

Retief Goosen is the last South African winner of the US Open in 2004. Oosthuizen came close when he finished second behind Jordan Spieth in 2015.

Of the other South Africans in the field, Grace had top US Open finishes of tied fourth and tied fifth in 2015 and 2016, while Erik van Rooyen’s best and only US Open finish to date is tied 43rd in 2019. (Photo Credit: European Tour).

With a two-week break in the new five-tournament Rise-Up Series, it’s a good time to look back at the past three events of what has been an historic series that ended a six-month COVID-19 lockdown and marked the official restart of the Sunshine Tour.

The restart of professional golf in South Africa presented a unique challenge for the Tour. But it was one that was overcome with a comprehensive risk mitigation strategy that incorporated the official GolfRSA Risk Mitigation Strategy as approved by the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) and elements of the strategies that have been employed by the PGA Tour and the European Tour in their restarts.

“It’s been a great three weeks for us, going off without a hitch. And I’m sure the next two weeks of tournaments will be even better,” said Thomas Abt, Deputy Commissioner of the Sunshine Tour.

The Rise-Up Series teed off with the Betway Championship at Killarney Country Club, and on perhaps one of the coldest mornings in Sunshine Tour history.

With sub-zero temperatures welcoming the professionals back in action, it was Benoni professional Pieter Moolman who had the honour of leading the field as the first player out.

“It felt great to feel that excitement for the new season and to actually be playing a tournament again. I think we’re all craving that adrenaline and excitement on the golf course, and making birdies,” he said.

Dylan Mostert led the first round by a single stroke with a three-under-par 67, and on a tough day when only eight players in the field broke par. In the second round, Alex Haindl emerged as the new leader with a 67 that took him one clear of the field on three-under-par 137. Anton Haig was also in the mix as he continued his comeback.

But in the final round, it was Darren Fichardt who stormed through the field with a 64 to win by one shot on three-under-par 207 and claim his 18^th title on the Sunshine Tour. Ulrich van den Berg came inches close to holing his long birdie putt at the last that would have forced a playoff, and he settled for second place on two-under 208.

The win was also Fichardt’s second victory this year after winning the Eye of Africa PGA Championship in January.

After the first event, Jaco van Zyl led the Betway Birdie Challenge with 13 birdies. The Betway Birdie Challenge will run for the full five tournaments on the series, with the leading birdie maker walking away with R25 000 at the end of the series, followed by R15 000 for second place and R10 000 for third.

The Rise-Up Series then travelled to historic Glendower Golf Club for the African Bank Sunshine Tour Championship.

Young star Jayden Schaper made his presence felt as he challenged for a maiden title on the Tour. Schaper was two shots off the first-round lead held by Martin Rohwer. And then he shared the 36-hole lead with Rohwer and Daniel van Tonder.

But on the final day, Van Tonder was able to pull it through with a bogey-free 68 that earned him a three-shot victory on 11 under par 205.

And Jaco Ahlers took the lead in the Betway Birdie Challenge through two tournaments on the Rise-Up Series with 29 birdies.

From there the Series moved to Pretoria Country Club for the Titleist Championship.

George Coetzee was the outright favourite here on a course he’s played since the age of 10 when he won his first tournament as a junior, and where he’s won two of his four European Tour titles in the 2015 and 2018 Tshwane Opens.

And Coetzee didn’t disappoint.

He shared the first-round lead with Hennie O’Kennedy after both signed for rounds of 67. On day two, Tristen Strydom joined Coetzee in a tie for the lead on seven under par. Strydom was delighted at the prospect of teeing off in the final round with a golfer he calls his hero.

“You know, growing up and playing golf here at Pretoria Country Club as a boy, I always followed George and looked up to him. I’ve always admired him. To play with him in the final group on the final day will be so lekker,” he said.

But there was nothing to stop Coetzee on the final day as he closed with a 66 to win by four shots.

“It’s a very special victory because Pretoria Country Club and Titleist have supported me my whole career, so to win with both involved this week is truly special,” he said.

Jaco Ahlers maintained his position as the leader of the Betway Birdie Challenge with 42 birdies over the past nine rounds of the Rise-Up Series. Jaco Prinsloo is currently second here with 41 birdies, and Darren Fichardt is third with 38 birdies and with just the final two tournaments to come.

The next event on the Rise-Up Series will be at ERPM Golf Club from 23-25 September. – Michael Vlismas.

They Said It

“You can’t just play with your mates for a pie and a Coke and think your game is fine. You want to test it in a tournament where you’re playing for money.” – Jake Roos welcoming a return to competition in the Betway Championship as he stressed the difference between social and competitive golf.

“I’ve changed the way I eat and I’ve lost about 20 kilogrammes. I follow a plan of intermittent fasting and it’s made a huge difference. I feel a lot better and have actually gained distance because I’m a bit more supple. So everything feels a bit more consistent now.” – Daniel van Tonder explains his new diet of intermittent fasting and how it played a part in his victory in the African Bank Sunshine Tour Championship.

“What’s the secret to this course? It’s 20 years of golf at Pretoria Country Club. That’s the secret.” – George Coetzee explaining the secret to his success at Pretoria Country Club after winning the Titleist Championship.

George Coetzee added yet another title to the many he has won at Pretoria Country Club over the years, claiming the Sunshine Tour’s Titleist Championship by four shots on Friday.

There was a sense of inevitability to Coetzee’s triumph on a golf course he has known and loved since he first played it and won a tournament here at the age of 10, and where he’s also won two European Tour titles in the 2015 and 2018 Tshwane Opens.

And now he can add the Titleist Championship to that list as he closed with a 66 to win this Rise-Up Series tournament on 13-under-par 203.

“It’s a very special victory because Pretoria Country Club and Titleist have supported me my whole career, so to win with both involved this week is truly special,” he said.

“I’m over the moon. It’s nice performing well when people expect it. It’s really nice to have pulled this off on my home course.”

Teeing off tied for the lead with Tristen Strydom on seven under par, Coetzee struggled at the start as he opened with back-to-back bogeys. But it was his run of six birdies in seven holes from the fourth that distanced him from the rest of the field. Further birdies at holes 14 and 17 confirmed his victory.

This is Coetzee’s 11^th victory on the Sunshine Tour, but perhaps more significant is that since 2014 he’s only had one year – 2017 – in which he hasn’t won at least once on the Tour.

Strydom closed with a 70 for sole second place on nine under par and his best finish on the Sunshine Tour since winning the Tour’s Qualifying School in March.

Jaco Ahlers finished third on seven under with a final round of 67, and which keeps Ahlers at the top of the Betway Birdie Challenge with 42 birdies over the past nine rounds of the Rise-Up Series. Jaco Prinsloo is currently second here with 41 birdies, and Darren Fichardt is third with 38 birdies. The Betway Birdie Challenge will run for the full five tournaments on the series, with the leading birdie maker walking away with R25 000 at the end of the series, followed by R15 000 for second place and R10 000 for third.

The Rise-Up Series will take a break for the next two weeks before resuming with the fourth event on the series at ERPM Golf Club from 23-25 September.

“Well done to our champions of the past three weeks. I think our winners will remember this as a significant moment in South African professional golf as we restarted our schedule after lockdown, and they will be proud to go down as winners on the inaugural Rise-Up Series,” said Thomas Abt, Deputy Commissioner of the Sunshine Tour.

“It’s been a great three weeks for us, going off without a hitch. And I’m sure the next two weeks of tournaments will be even better.” – Michael Vlismas

Tiger Woods is an obvious hero for any young golfer. But for Tristen Strydom, the golfer he looks up to is the man he’ll play alongside in the final group on Friday as he and George Coetzee tee off tied for the lead of the Titleist Championship at Pretoria Country Club.

“It’s going to be a dream come true to play alongside George in the final round,” said Strydom, whose 65 on Thursday lifted him into a share of the lead with Coetzee, who signed for a 70, on seven under par. And they’re four strokes clear of the rest of the field.

It’s certainly a special moment for Strydom, who won the Sunshine Tour’s Qualifying School in March and is now chasing his maiden victory on the Tour. But win or lose on Friday, Strydom is determined to savour this moment.

“You know, growing up and playing golf here at Pretoria Country Club as a boy, I always followed George and looked up to him. I’ve always admired him. To play with him in the final group on the final day will be so lekker.”

This is Strydom’s second season on Tour, and already he says he feels he’s gained so much experience which he hopes will carry him through the nerves of being in contention in a final round.

The eight birdies – starting with a 20-foot putt on the first – , one eagle, one bogey and a double bogey on Thursday will tell you one part of the story of Strydom’s journey to this point. But the hours he spent as a young boy chipping and putting around the Pretoria Country Club practice area until the sun set, working his way through the ranks as a top amateur, turning professional and then realising the real hard work had only begun, tells the other story of just why Friday’s final round with Coetzee is such a big moment for him.

“It’s an opportunity, and I’m very excited. Win or lose, I’m just trying to play good golf and enjoy myself. You know, my first year on Tour last year was a big learning curve. The other golfers out here are really good. People don’t always realise that. Everybody out here works hard and wants it just as badly as I want it. So the biggest thing I’ve learnt is patience. Out here, every shot counts. It’s a whole different world to amateur golf. Learning to accept the good and bad breaks out here is important.”

Now Strydom has the opportunity to gain the one thing that could be even more important to him than even a victory on Friday. Playing alongside his golf hero and having worked his way into a share of the lead in a Sunshine Tour event, Strydom will know he has what it takes. And now he gets the chance to further measure himself against a multiple European Tour champion.

And that is a lekker feeling indeed. – Michael Vlismas.