Sunday, December 15, 2013

Nelson Mandela Championship: Dawie van der Walt delights home crowd in Durban

4:11 AM

Share it Please
South African Dawie van der Walt shot a closing 66 to score a two-shot win in the Nelson Mandela Championship in Durban.

The 30-year-old, who captured his first European Tour win in the Tshwane Open in Centurion earlier this year, finished on 15-under in a tournament reduced to 54 holes due to bad weather.

England's Matthew Baldwin (68) and Spain's Jorge Campillo (68), who shot a startling though unofficial 59 in round two, finished tied second on 13-under.

Frenchman Romain Wattel took solo fourth after a 67 while it was a further shot back to South African Oliver Bekker (69) in fifth.

Van der Walt had produced a mixed bag in the third and final round at Mount Edgecombe golf club, mixing three birdies and three bogeys over the first 11 holes.

However, an eagle at 12 and birdies at 13 and 15 saw him take control.

His victory came the day before Nelson Mandela's funeral, the former President having passed away last week at the age of 95.

Really special

"It's obviously really special, making you a part of history," said van der Walt.

"Winning The Nelson Mandela at this time, when it's sad for everyone, everyone is mourning and tomorrow's the big day, it means a lot and it's something I can keep close to my heart for ever."

Since winning March's Tshwane Open, van der Walt has missed a rash of cuts after suffering injury problems and a loss of form.

However, once he claimed the outright lead with an eagle from 30 feet at the 12th, the World Number 337 never looked like relinquishing the 158,500 Euro winner's cheque.

"I haven't been in that good form, I've been struggling with an injury, so this is almost overwhelming," added van der Walt, whose victory also saw him claim the co-sanctioning Sunshine Tour's Order of Merit for 2013.

"To win the last event of the year is going to make Christmas a lot more fun."

0 comments:

Post a Comment