Many golf fans around the world might be wondering how Sweden’s Philip Eriksson earned his spot in the elite WGC-FedEx St. Jude Invitational at TPC Southwind …
Simple. He missed the cut the week before February’s Dimension Data Pro-Am at Fancourt and used the extra day of practice to stone the home field en route to a three-shot win.
A lucrative win at that, as he booked a place in Memphis as a result.
Currently in his rookie season on the Sunshine Tour, the Swede is the highest-ranked golfer in this field at No 377.
‘Being here is awesome,’ said Eriksson, ‘but playing well could change a lot more.’
He tees off at 12:26pm with countryman Alex Noren and Open contender JB Holmes.
He added his name to a trophy that includes the names of Major championship winners Nick Price, Darren Clarke, Retief Goosen, Trevor Immelman and Louis Oosthuizen.
The Swede carded a final-round 68 to pull clear of the pack in a tournament record-equalling 21 under par, finishing with a birdie on the last hole of the Montagu course to be comfortably clear of runner-up Justin Walters. Dean Burmester was third a further shot back, and Jaco van Zyl fourth. Defending champion Jaco Ahlers shared fifth with Merrick Bremner and Jbe’ Kruger.
‘I’m speechless, really,’ said Eriksson at the time. ‘It feels like a dream come true. I’ve heard so much about this tournament though the years, even in Sweden. And even though it’s not a European Tour event or anything, it’s such a big event that a lot of people come here just to play this tournament. So playing here for the first time and winning feels unbelievable.’
It may not have been a European Tour event but it is one that has its perks, Philip …
