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It took Heinrich Bruiners many years which included a serious motor-car accident to believe in himself and make the best of the talent given to him before he could achieve his maiden win on the Sunshine Tour.
25 year-old Bruiners, a former member of the Ernie Els & Fancourt Foundation, achieved the near impossible with a wire-to-wire win in the Vodacom Origins of Golf at Eurphoria by 5 shots on Friday 9th August after he first won the qualifying tournament.
“I know what it takes to get to where I am today,” Bruiners said. Bruiners, who grew-up in George, was in a serious motor-car accident in George in 2010 where he broke his leg and basically again had to learn to walk. He spend many months in the gym rebuilding his leg and that gave him time to think about what he wants to achieve in life.
“I first want to thank two people. Dr. Hasso Plattner and Ernie Els have given me the opportunities through their foundation and they supported and believed in me for many years. I was also a mentor for three years at the EEFF. This would not have been possible without their support.”
This win can change his life. First he pocketed R95 100 and secondly, but maybe more important than the money, he will be exempt on the Sunshine Tour for the next two and a half years. Bruiners does not have to qualify for tournaments which include the big co-sanction events anymore.
“What a relief,” Bruiners explained. “To get to a tournament and then you first have to qualify is not easy. I have really worked hard at my game the last couple of years, but this win has strengthened the belief that I can compete with the best and win.”
According to Bruiners it was a very stressful week. He was leading to tournament from day one.
“Sjoe, it was tough. I went to bed every night thinking about the lead. The more I tried to switch off the more I was thinking. I was in a different space, but you know I also said to myself that I must enjoy every moment of it. Playing that last round was very stressful. I am so proud of myself,” Bruiners, who turned pro in 2007, said.
