Erik van Rooyen is more than a million rand richer after finishing as the leading South African at The Open Championship.
Van Rooyen banked R1 483 590 after finishing in a share of 17th place.
The Challenge Tour graduate qualified via the Joburg Open where he finished runner-up. The young South African was one of three local players to have his name flashed onto TV screens around the world after performing well over the first 36 holes at Carnoustie.
Unfortunately, he was unable to replicate his early tournament form on Sunday albeit after an electric start.
After two birdies in a row, Van Rooyen dropped five shots between the 6th and 13th to drop steadily down the leaderboard. A closing birdie was good enough for a 73 and a big cheque in his first Major appearance.
2010 champion Louis Oosthuizen finished level for his work at the championship. The 34-year-old earned himself R907 916 after matching Van Rooyen’s final round score. Oosthuizen found less than 50% of the fairways on Sunday to hinder any chance of a late charge.
Brandon Stone, who like Van Rooyen was challenging earlier in the week, and Shaun Norris finished in the group sharing 61st place. Both had a final round to forget with Stone carding a 77 and Norris a 79.
Both take home R342 335, some R15 000 more than Zander Lombard, who limped in with an 81.
Photo: Andrew Redington/Getty Images
