SUN CITY, South Africa – American golfer Johannes Veerman won his second European Tour title by winning the Nedbank Golf Challenge in South Africa by one shot following a bogey on the 72nd hole by home favorite Aldrich Potgieter on Sunday.
Veerman had completed his final round of 3-under 69 about an hour before the 20-year-old Potgieter went down on No. 18, needing a birdie to win or gain points to force a qualifier for the tournament known as “Africa’s Major.” “
Instead, he pushed his way into the rough near the fairway near the green, chipped — after a free fall — to 10 feet and missed the par putt.
The 209th-ranked Veerman, whose other win came at the Czech Masters in 2021, celebrated the victory on the driving range, where he was preparing for a possible match. He started the final round five strokes back at Gary Player Country Club.
“Leaving your family behind, it’s a big sacrifice,” said Veerman who was shedding tears, his mother is from Indonesia and his father is Dutch who has lived in many countries including the Philippines, Thailand, China and England. “I haven’t had the best seasons in the last few years. We put in a lot of work, me and my team, a lot of hours. To start this season with a win is indescribable.”
The 32-year-old Californian shot a 5-under 283 in the tournament. Potgieter, who scored three goals in one night, shot 75 and tied for second place with Matthew Jordan (72) and Romain Langasque (71).
Max Homa, last year’s winner in the United States, opened the tournament with a 6-under 66 and finished at the highest level. He closed with a 75 and tied for 14th.
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