Gary Player Class of 2017-18 member Sipho Bujela’s says his 15th spot finish at the Investec Royal Swazi Open is more of a confidence-booster than anything else.
Bujela missed the cut at the Zambia Sugar Open at Lusaka Golf Club and at the 2017 Zimbabwe Open at Royal Harare Golf Club. However, regardless of the not-so-solid start to the season’s first two events, Bujela dusted himself off and soldiered on to the Royal Swazi Spa Country Club in his quest for a first win on the Sunshine Tour.
It didn’t come in Swaziland, and he finished tied at 15th, but Bujela is happy nevertheless.
‘I played well the whole week at Investec and I am very happy with my finish,’ he told the Sunshine Tour website.
‘Given the way I have been playing and the way I finished, I have confidence in myself and the way I played will be key when I return here, because I have learnt how to play this course.’
Bujela will need to produce his best round next week, where he will be attempting to pre-qualify for the Lombard Insurance Classic to be held there from 19 to 21 May.
‘I will have to change my strategy for that one,’ Bujela said, ‘because it’s only one round and if you shoot the lowest score you are in. A bit of aggression might be needed, but on that course, you always want to think your way around so I must make few mistakes.’
And while he looks forward to that pre-qualifying round, Bujela is at peace with his game.
‘In a pre-q, every shot counts, but like I said, my mind is at the right place now and I’m handling myself well on the course,’ he said, ‘and after a finish like that at Investec, I am confident that my game is at the right place so I am really looking forward to the next event.’
He and Keenan Davidse were the highest finishers at the Investec Royal Swazi Open from the Gary Player Class of 2017-18 development initiative. Davidse, James Kamte, Makhetha Mazibuko, Lindani Ndwandwe, Heinrich Bruiners and Toto Thimba Jr are members of that group who are already in the field for the Lombard Insurance Classic, while Bujela, Musiwalo Nethunzwi and Jacquin Hess, among others, will have to go through the pre-qualifier to book themselves spots in Swaziland.
