Dean Burmester, the reigning Joburg Open champion, showcased his exceptional golfing prowess once again at the Investec South African Open Championship. Riding high on the momentum of his recent Joburg Open triumph, Burmester delivered a masterful performance at the Blair Atholl Golf & Equestrian Estate, clinching the title with a three-stroke lead.
Burmester’s victory at the Investec South African Open Championship marks his second consecutive win on both the Sunshine Tour and the DP World Tour. With a composed final round score of 68, he finished the tournament at 11 under par, etching his name alongside South Africa’s golfing legends.
This back-to-back achievement solidifies his status as a rising star in South African golf.
Expressing the significance of this achievement, Burmester said, “Back-to-back, I’ve never done that before”. He proudly holds the distinction of winning both the South African PGA Championship and the Investec South African Open.
The emotional resonance of this win was heightened by the connection to Investec, the tournament’s sponsor. Reflecting on his journey, Burmester expressed gratitude for the pivotal role played by the late Sam Hackner of Investec. Hackner provided him with a breakthrough opportunity when he was waiting tables to fund his tournaments.
Burmester recounted, “To win this championship sponsored by a bank that gave me my first break is incredibly special. It’s very emotional for me”.
The champ’s resilience came to the forefront as he overcame a potential setback with a stomach bug on Friday before the final. His skill and determination were evident in a spectacular 65 in the third round, setting the stage for his triumph.
During Sunday’s final round, Burmester demonstrated experience under pressure by birdieing two of the last three holes to distance himself from the competition.
Sharing second place at eight under par were Italy’s Renato Paratore, Sweden’s Jesper Svensson, and South Africa’s Ryan van Velzen.
Meanwhile, Altin van der Merwe, the leading amateur, secured the Freddie Tait Cup in his inaugural appearance at the Investec South African Open. Van der Merwe’s closing round of 74 placed him at two over par, capping off a remarkable year for GolfRSA’s top-ranked player.
Reflecting on his experience, Van der Merwe expressed gratitude, saying, “It’s been so much fun this week. The golf course was a great test, and the professionals I played with were so good to me.” He also highlighted the honour of adding his name to the Freddie Tait Cup, emphasising its significance within the context of his involvement with the Ernie Els and Fancourt Foundation.
INFO SUPPLIED.
