Jayden Schaper has taken the leap and confirmed that he has taken up pro status following a successful foray into the competitive scene.
The Junior Players Championship winner made headlines earlier this month when he kept his name on the first page of the leaderboard throughout his debut at the SA Open. He ended T6 after a birdie at the last to finish at -13.
It was the best amateur finish at the event since Ernie Els in 1989.
He confirmed the decision following his start at the Omega Dubai Desert Classic, where he missed the cut after rounds of 71 and 76.
‘What an incredible experience last week was at the @omegagolfdubai event, I cannot thank Omega enough for the opportunity to play alongside the worlds best golfers. I am excited to announce That I have made the decision to turn professional and will start the next chapter of my career ,I would like to take this opportunity to thank my coach @veenies1 for all the support & guidance during my amateur career, to @golfrsa for all the opportunities they have provided, to @oakley, @taylormade_tour and @adidasgolf for the ongoing support and finally to my family for all the dedication and love they have shown me since I started playing this amazing sport that has given me so many special memories!’ he wrote on Instagram.
Schaper is the first junior in South African golfing history to achieve the ‘grand slam’ of Nomads SA Boys titles, winning the U-13, U-15 and U-17 tournaments and the elusive double at the Nomads SA Boys U-19 Championship as a 16-year-old at Langebaan Golf Club in 2017.
Last year he won the SA Stroke Play Championship, shooting a course record 63 at De Zalze Golf Club en route to victory in the high-ranking international event. And, in addition to five more wins on the GolfRSA Open Amateur circuit, the 18-year-old Benoni golfer became the first South African to win the Junior Players Championship – considered among the most prestigious junior golf tournaments in the world.
