In a thrilling conclusion to the 17th edition of the Joburg Open, South African golfer Dean Burmester emerged victorious, securing his maiden win of the international golf tournament while claiming the coveted trophy for his home country.
The final on Sunday witnessed a stellar performance by Burmester, who sealed the victory with an impressive display marked by six birdies. He finished 18 under par.
The elation of hundreds of spectators at the Houghton Golf Club was palpable as Burmester’s ball found the 18th hole, solidifying his maiden win in this prestigious tournament.
Expressing his joy, Burmester, visibly delighted, described the round as near perfect and acknowledged the need for something special to lift the trophy, a feat he successfully achieved.
“I feel relieved to be standing here as the Joburg Open winner. I played a pretty much near perfect round of golf today, and I knew I had to do something special to lift the trophy, and I managed to do that,” he said.
Reflecting on the tough competition, Burmester expressed gratitude to the City of Joburg for hosting the tournament, where he had participated for 14 years before clinching the title. He specifically thanked the City for its consistent hospitality and support.
“Thank you very much to the City of Joburg; they’ve always been amazing hosts.”
The international competition showcased the dominance of South African golfers throughout the four days of play, with several securing top positions on the leaderboard. Darren Fichardt and English golfer Dan Bradbury claimed the second and third positions, respectively, closely trailing Burmester.
Other South African golfers, including Nikhil Rama, Thriston Lawrene, Zander Lombard, Jacques Kruyswijk, Christiaan Bezuidenhout, and Jayden Schaper, demonstrated strong performances throughout, finishing among the top 10 on the leaderboard. Lawrence, the 2021 champion, led the pack with an impressive 15 under par into the final round.
The Executive Mayor, Cllr. Kabelo Gwamanda, commended Burmester for his stellar performance and extended appreciation to sponsors, partners, and organisers for contributing to the success of the tournament.
Cllr. Gwamanda specifically acknowledged the Sunshine Tour, the DP World Tour, and all involved parties for orchestrating a splendid event.
“Your dedication to the sport has undoubtedly contributed to the success of this prestigious event,” Gwamanda said.
The mayor also expressed gratitude to the enthusiastic spectators, whose energy, cheers, and support created an electrifying atmosphere throughout the tournament.
“A special mention goes out to the young boys, whose infectious enthusiasm and unwavering support added a unique charm to the tournament. It was truly heartwarming to witness their passion and knowledge about each and every player. Your presence added to the electrifying atmosphere that surrounded the greens.”
He noted the special place that golf holds in the hearts of the community of Joburg and emphasised the spectators’ role in making the event truly memorable.
“Your energy, cheers, and support created an electrifying atmosphere that resonated throughout the tournament grounds. It’s clear that golf holds a special place in the hearts of our community, and your presence made this event truly memorable,” the mayor said.
The Joburg Open 2023 featured a total of 156 professional golfers, who all competed at the Houghton Golf Club with the aim of lifting the luminous trophy.
Bongi Mokaba, the City’s director of events management, acknowledged the collective effort that made the tournament a memorable experience for golf enthusiasts and participants alike.
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