EDENVALE, Gauteng – Robin Williams heads into this week’s Fortress Invitational knowing that his incredible form has not just caught the eye of golf fans, but also of South Africa’s greatest ever golfer – Gary Player.
The 23-year-old Williams will make the first title defence of his career in this Sunshine Tour event, which tees off at Glendower Golf Club on Thursday.
He does so having just enjoyed one of the most successful weeks of his career with a tied fourth place finish in the prestigious Alfred Dunhill Links Championship in Scotland, where he competed alongside Major winners in one of the strongest field in this tournament’s history.
And just when he thought it couldn’t get any better, the legendary Gary Player reached out to the young Sunshine Tour star.
“It’s unbelievable. This is something I couldn’t even dream of. I’ve looked up to him for so long and for him to contact me and congratulate me on my recent performances is something out of my wildest dreams. I just feel honoured,” Williams said during a practice round on Tuesday.
Williams is keenly aware that his journey to this point all started with his victory in the 2023 Fortress Invitational, which subsequently also secured him the Fortress Rookie of the Year title that season.
“I’ve got great memories from this golf course and it’s special to be here to try and defend my title. Everything kicked off from this week last year, and I’ll definitely draw on those memories this week.”
It’s been a whirlwind trip to Glendower for Williams. His groundbreaking week in Scotland secured him a place in the DP World Tour’s French Open the following week where he finished tied 65th.
“I’ll probably take next week off so I can just process it all and plan my future. The week in Scotland has opened a lot of doors for me. But it’s just so good to be back in South Africa again and seeing all the familiar faces on the Sunshine Tour. I feel really blessed, and proud to be that player who came through the Sunshine Tour Qualifying School, played a whole season on the Tour and won, and then to do well in a big event like the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship – I think it shows the value of the product that is the Sunshine Tour. It shows that what they’re doing works because it’s producing great young players to come through and fly that South African flag. So this is going to be a special week and I’ll try and enjoy it as much as I can.”
And the congratulations of what he’s achieved recently will no doubt continue this week.
“I’ve definitely gotten a lot of congratulations. But none as big as Mr Player.” – Michael Vlismas
