Parys Golf and Country Club member Leon Vorster overturned a two-shot deficit to win The Final of the Altron Big Easy Tour by four shots on 13-under-par 203 at Blue Valley Golf and Country Estate on Thursday.
Not only did Vorster’s victory hand him his maiden Altron Big Easy Tour title, but it also earned him and the other top 11 players on the Order of Merit their Sunshine Tour playing privileges for next season.
Vorster carded a final round 67 which was characterised by six birdies and a solitary drop en route to claiming the championship in Centurion.
“I played really well today,” said a delighted Vorster after his win. “I got off to a strong start and that helped with the momentum going forward. The front nine was very important for me to set myself up on the leaderboard. Then, I made some crucial par saves on the back nine and that really gave me some confidence to finish it off.
“Being confident in this game can take you a long way, especially for me. So, I think my attitude helped me a lot today.”
Vorster’s win also catapulted him to the top of the Order of Merit, unseating Royal Cape Golf Club’s Samuel Simpson who had occupied the summit before this event. He credited the Altron Big Easy Tour for ensuring his swift return to the Sunshine Tour which is every player’s aspiration.
“You can’t put into words, the impact that Altron has made in our lives as professionals,” Vorster said. “The Big Easy is our way into the Sunshine Tour and to have a sponsor like Altron coming in to invest in us and our dreams is just wonderful. We have a full schedule where we play and don’t have to sit at home and it’s all thanks to such organisation and the Sunshine Tour.
“Personally, this win means a lot to me. There are so many people who are part of this journey and for me to be able to win a tournament and to know I’m going to be playing on the Sunshine Tour again is exciting.
“My focus now will be on trying to keep my Sunshine Tour card and making a few cuts. But, I just want to get better at golf in general and now that I have an opportunity to compete against the best, it just feels amazing.”
Ricky Hendler, Jason Roets and Keegan Mclachlan had already secured their cards for next season ahead of this final tournament of the regular Big Easy season.
Both Hendler and Roets finished within the top 12 on the standings and having already secured their cards even before this event teed off, their places will be taken by the next two players on the list: Andrew Williamson and Philip Geerts.
Roets finished outside the top 12 but won’t be awfully bothered.
The other players who earned their Sunshine Tour cards via the Altron Big Easy Tour are Simpson, Werner Deyzel, Stals Swart, Ruan de Smidts, Dylan O’Leary, Dayne Moore, Travis Ladner, Andre de Decker, Therion Nel and State Mines Country Club’s Vaughn van Deventer.
Photo: Tyrone Winfield / Sunshine Tour
