Jaco Prinsloo needed three playoff holes to be crowned the 2021 South African Players Championship winner at Dainfern Golf Estate.
Prinsloo was locked in a battle with Daniel van Tonder and Jaco Roos on Sunday after all three players ended level on 25 under par at the end of the final round.
Both Prinsloo and Van Tonder eagled the par-five 18th on the first playoff hole, knocking Roos out of the contest. The contesting pair then made birdies on their second attempt at the final hole with Prinsloo showing nerves of steel after his second shot found the greenside bunker, and he then pitched out to within three feet to make birdie.
READ: Three-way tie at SA Players Champs
Their third shot at the final hole, though, proved deciding. Van Tonder pulled his drive, but then produced an incredible shot from the left rough to just short of the green. He chipped to about six feet, but missed his birdie putt. That left Prinsloo to hole his two-foot putt for birdie and his second Sunshine Tour victory.
‘The playoff was almost the easier part. Just getting there was more nerve-wracking,’ said a relieved Prinsloo.
‘Jake, Daniel and myself are all good friends, and luckily today I came out on top. To get this title is very special. I have to thank the Sunshine Tour for making this tournament possible. I love this golf course and the whole atmosphere here.’
It was hardly surprising that four incredible days of low-scoring golf should end in a playoff for this Sunshine Tour event.
Your final leaderboard at the Players Championship @dainferngolf Estate. ?️♂️???
Have a look how close it was at the end.
Congratulations to Jaco Prinsloo for an impressive performance which saw him win the Players Championship after winning the playoffs.#SunshineTour pic.twitter.com/BPI0rPuvcy
— Sunshine Tour (@Sunshine_Tour) March 14, 2021
The leading players never relented on the final day as they kept building on the lead with a slew of birdies. And the closing holes again provided the opportunities.
Roos birdied two of the final three holes for a 63 and to set the clubhouse target at 25 under par. Van Tonder then eagled the par-five 18th for the second day in succession to join him on 25 under with a final round of 65. And Prinsloo had the greatest opportunity of all as he stood over an eagle putt on 18 to win outright. But the miss and resultant birdie earned him a 65 and the final place in the three-way playoff.
