Pic Credit: Carl Fourie/Sunshine Tour
Christiaan Bezuidenhout added his name to the greats of South African golf as he claimed a five-shot victory in the South African Open at the Gary Player Country Club on Sunday.
Bezuidenhout signed for a final round of 69 to win on 18 under par, with Jamie Donaldson taking second place on 13 under par after also closing with a 69.
Dylan Frittelli was third on 11 under with his final round of 71.
The win earned Bezuidenhout back-to-back victories on the Sunshine Tour and European Tour following his triumph in the previous week’s Alfred Dunhill Championship at Leopard Creek.
He’s also the first player since Justin Rose in 2007 to win back to back tournaments on the European Tour.
“It feels amazing. It wasn’t easy out there and the first nine didn’t go my way, but I hung in there. To stand here as the SA Open champion is unbelievable. This is massive for me. It’s always been a dream and I wasn’t sure when, or if, I would achieve it,” said Bezuidenhout.
South Africa’s number-one ranked amateur Casey Jarvis claimed the Freddie Tait trophy as the leading amateur, finishing tied 25th on one under par with rounds of 73, 74, 71 and 69.
“This means a lot to me and I’m very honoured to have won this trophy. There are some great names on this trophy. It’s a goal I set for myself and I’m just very honoured to have achieved it,” he said.
