PRETORIA: Dawie van der Walt won his first European Tour tournament yesterday by finishing two shots ahead of fellow South African Darren Fichardt in the Tshwane Open.
Van der Walt fired a five-under-par final round 67 for a total of 267 over the Ernie Els-designed Copperleaf Golf and Country Estate while Fichardt closed with a 69 on the 7,791-yard (7,124-metre) layout.
A two-metre, 110-kilogram giant, western Cape-born Van der Walt was one shot ahead of four-time European Tour winner Fichardt at the turn and extended it with a birdie at the par-five 15th on a hot, overcast afternoon.
Both title challengers parred the last three holes and Van der Walt collected a 237,750-euro ($310,690) cheque and a three-year exemption from qualifying for European Tour events.
The 30-year-old winner of the inaugural Tshwane Open was a model of consistency over the four days of a tournament hit by delays on Friday and Saturday when thunderstorms rolled over the course south west of here.
He had only one bogey over his 72 holes -- at the par-four 10th during the closing round -- and a solid tee-to-green game set up an unexpected success in a 156-field that included three former Major title-holders.
“I hit the ball really well this week and probably missed only six or seven greens in regulation,” said the slightly nervous champion after receiving his cheque and trophy.AFP
