George Coetzee made history by becoming the first multiple winner of the Tshwane Open on Sunday, writes WADE PRETORIUS.
Coetzee held firm despite two weather delays to beat Sam Horsfield by two.
Much has been made of the 31-year-old’s affinity with Pretoria Country Club but that mattered for little as Coetzee was left to grind out the remaining few holes to seal his fourth European Tour win.
The second weather delay was particularly costly for Coetzee as he flew the 17th green for his third bogey and his first since the fourth hole.
That drop was coupled with playing partner Horsfield’s birdie to reduce the local hope’s lead to just two as the Englishman made the walk down 18 a far nervier affair than Coetzee’s fans would’ve imagined 30 minutes prior.
It was Horsfield’s second birdie on the bounce but his bid to cause a late upset faded just as quickly as it begun as he made a wild, erratic swing on his approach to the 72nd hole.
His ball cannoned into the TV screen alongside the final green which further delayed proceedings as darkness began to descend on the pristine course.
Coetzee, meanwhile, found the greenside bunker to delay his celebrations ever so slightly.
When Horsfield finally played his third after a ruling delay, the tension resumed as he played a delightful pitch to give himself a chance of a birdie; which he would convert.
That brief moment of tension turned into broad smiles for Coetzee as he played a perfect bunker shot to confirm his second win after his triumph two years ago.
He knocked in that short putt for a two-shot win and a timely return to the winner’s circle.
For someone who claims the course doesn’t suit him all that much, he sure has found a way to be very successful there.
Earlier, Coetzee recovered in magnificent fashion from two early drops to regain his advantage over the field. [Read how Sunday unfolded at the Tshwane Open]
Photo: Luke Walker/Sunshine Tour/Gallo Images
