The Score is the Sunshine Tour’s Player Blog.
Ockie Strydom has had a life-changing three months in which he’s won twice on the DP World Tour, including the 2022 Alfred Dunhill Championship at Leopard Creek.
Winning the Alfred Dunhill Championship was a big breakthrough for me. The Alfred Dunhill Championship was one that I always wanted to win. To be able to win this title at a course like Leopard Creek showed me that I do have the game to win again. And that made the victory in the Singapore Classic that much easier for me.
I had 19 runner-up finishes before my victory at Leopard Creek. It was always on my mind – if I would ever win on the DP World Tour. Especially after so many second places. I just focused on what I could control. Technically, my coach Doug Wood and I worked on my clubface in the week of the Alfred Dunhill Championship, and to square it up as it was closed at the top of my swing. And then the physio helped me get through the week physically. My back was under big pressure and I was in quite a bit of pain that week.
The chip on the 18th in Singapore was probably one of the best chips I have ever played under pressure. I was really calm throughout the final round. I had two options on that chip and I decided to go for the bump and run. For safety reasons really. And it worked out perfectly.
I didn’t ever think my second DP World Tour victory would come so quickly. To be honest I didn’t even think I would ever win the Alfred Dunhill Championship. But in Singapore I just went out and enjoyed myself, and I’m very grateful it led to a second title for me so soon.
These two victories have done so much for me. It’s given me the self-belief to know I belong out here and that I can compete against the top players in the world.
