The Score with Ockie Strydom

About Sunshine Tour

South Africa is one of the most prolific producers of world-class golfing talent in the world, and the Sunshine Tour has been integral to our nation’s success. The Tour has produced some of the most successful golfers on the PGA and DP World Tour both past and present, such as Gary Player, Ernie Els, Retief Goosen, Louis Oosthuizen, Trevor Immelman, Charl Schwartzel, Christiaan Bezuidenhout, Erik Van Rooyen, and Garrick Higgo.

The Sunshine Tour has partnered with various organisations, brands, and stakeholders to create a platform for golfers from the southern African region and abroad to display their talent and become successful golfers on the global stage. These partners include the DP World Tour, Golf RSA, the South African Golf Development Board, the South African Golf Association, and the PGA of South Africa, with all these organisations contributing to the Sunshine Tour becoming one of the premier golf tours in the world.

In addition, hosting tournaments in the southern African region and visiting a variety of regions, climates, and courses helps stimulate economic growth and activity by involving local communities in varying capacities. These Sunshine Tour events have become highly anticipated both for players and golf fans. Of these events, none are more anticipated than the Joburg Open, the Investec SA Open Championship, and the Alfred Dunhill Championship; all are Sunshine Tour and DP World Tour co-sanctioned events. These tournaments have seen some of the most well-known players in the world compete, including Ernie Els, Rory McIlroy, Lee Westwood, Louis Oosthuizen, and Henrik Stenson.

The Sunshine Tour’s mission statement is Greatness Begins Here. As it continues to grow, it provides a platform for more golfers to achieve their own greatness while asserting South Africa’s position as a vibrant and competitive golfing nation.

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 18^th 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.

About Sunshine Tour

BACK TO ALL PLAYER BLOGS

The Score with Ockie Strydom

Sunshine Tour Partners