Jacques van der Merwe stormed into the Betway Big Easy Tour winner’s circle in emphatic style, clinching a two-stroke victory over England’s Joe Sullivan at CMR Golf Club on Thursday.
Van der Merwe brought a three-stroke lead into the final round after firing a second-round 63 to reach 12 under par. The Royal Johannesburg and Kensington Golf Club player knew the challenges that lay ahead – and Thursday’s final round proved especially testing.
His closing round of three-under 67, which featured seven birdies and two double-bogeys, took his tournament total to 15 under – two clear of Sullivan, who delivered an impressive performance of his own in the chilly Roodepoort conditions. Despite his effort, Sullivan fell just short of securing a second win this season.
“I’ve been in this position a few times before,” said Van der Merwe. “And I’ve always struggled. But last night and this morning, I prayed. When I got here today, I told myself to stick to the processes that got me here. I kept telling myself: ‘You’re good enough, and you can do this.’ I believed I was the best golfer on this golf course today, and it showed in the end.
“I just went back to basics, and that’s the most important thing. I focused really well on the small things, and it worked out for me.”
Despite what the scorecard suggested, Van der Merwe admitted that nerves played a big role down the stretch – particularly as he stood over his final birdie putt on the 18th.
“I was shaking,” he said. “I didn’t make it easy for myself. But when that ball went in, it was just a massive sigh of relief. My first professional win, and on the Big Easy Tour – it’s just insane. I couldn’t imagine anything better.”
The win moves Van der Merwe to fifth on the Order of Merit. The top 12 players in the standings at the end of the campaign will earn Sunshine Tour cards.
The Big Easy Tour is the Sunshine Tour’s official feeder circuit and is supported by patrons including South African legend Ernie Els.
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Photo: Carl Fourie/Sunshine Tour
Article Link: Van der Merwe claims emphatic maiden victory