BENONI, Ekurhuleni – It was only after Malcolm Mitchell’s playoff victory in the Gary & Vivienne Player Challenge that he realised just what he’d achieved. And it was staring right at him from the trophy he held in his hands.
“Only afterwards did I realise what I’d done. It’s always nice to win an event, but when you have a name like Gary and Vivienne Player on the trophy, it’s just got a totally different feel to it. I’m very honoured and pleased to have won it,” Mitchell said at Benoni Country Club on Friday.
Mitchell claimed his second title when he beat Jonathan Broomhead in a playoff in a tournament that is the Sunshine Tour’s tribute to the remarkable career of Gary Player and the philanthropic work done by the Gary and Vivienne Player Foundation.
Mitchell closed with a 71 and Broomhead signed for a 69 to both finish on 12 under par, one stroke clear of Graham van der Merwe and Conner Mackenzie.
Playing the par-five first hole as the first playoff hole, Mitchell’s birdie earned him the victory against Broomhead’s par.
When he sunk the birdie putt to win, Mitchell’s fist pump told the story of what it meant to him.
“It was just such a build-up. My expectations are quite high, and to wait this long for a second win – my emotions took over there a bit.”
Mitchell has had his chances before this, but admits the timing seemed right for it now.
“I think it’s a bit of maturity. I’ve got a baby on the way. Your life changes and your priorities change. I’m doing this for my family now. It’s no longer just for me and what I want. That is a big thing. I’ve been doing a lot of work on being more patient. I struggled with that, and to actually do that today was big for me.”
After breaking through with his first Sunshine Tour title in 2023, Mitchell said this second victory held perhaps even greater significance for him.
“My coach and I always speak about how the second win is probably the biggest one. Once you’ve got your first win you believe you can do it and your expectations increase. Sometimes it takes a while to get that second one. To finally get that monkey off my back is a big thing for me.” – Michael Vlismas
