Tumelo Molloyi became the latest member of the Papwa Sewgolum Class to brace the Sunshine Tour winner’s circle after his four-under 68 earned him a one-shot victory in the Blue Label Development Tour’s one-day event at Waterkloof Golf Club on Monday.
Until Monday’s win, Molloyi’s season had been a tale of struggles and missed opportunities. He had missed the cut in each of the 10 tournaments he’d played up to this point but the gods of golf would favour him in Pretoria on Monday.
“It took me a while to realise that I have won,” revealed Molloyi. “I had a four-foot putt for birdie on the last and I thought if I got to five-under, I’d have a chance. I hit a very good putt but it lipped out and I was four-under. I was among the first guys off today, so it was a very nervy hour of waiting. But I am very happy for this win and to do it with the score I shot today was also special for me.”
His round consisted of birdies on the third hole, an eagle on the par-five seventh and a birdie on 13.
“I think I missed two or three greens today. As I hit my tee shot on 17, I realised that I was bogey-free. It’s probably the first time I shoot a bogey-free round in a tournament, so that makes it two wins for me today.”
TECHNICAL CHANGES LEADING TO STRUGGLES
Molloyi is not oblivious to the reality of his struggles so far in the season, however. He attributes this to technical changes he is undergoing and insists that the string of poor results will soon be a thing of the past.
“About two months ago, I made a coaching change and you know with change, some things take longer to click together; it’s a process,” he said. “Even today, I didn’t play perfect golf and my driver was off the whole day but I managed to miss in the right places. Look, it’s a work in progress but I am just happy that my game is trending in the right direction. I’ve started to putt really nicely, which I have not done in over three years. There’s still a lot of work to be done but things will come together soon.”
This win marks the first professional win for the Jackal Creek Golf and Country Club player. It also represents a momentous chapter for the Papwa Sewgolum Class as it shows that with proper investment and support, success is truly inevitable. Moreover, Molloyi’s win is testimony that with a solid development structure in place, talent can be nurtured to thrive over time.
Molloyi is a graduate of the South African Golf Development Board (SAGDB) which was founded by businessman and philanthropist, Johann Rupert, with the aim of taking the game of golf to the grassroots level and making it accessible to everyone.
'HUGE FOR ME'
With his victory here, Molloyi joins fellow members of the Papwa Sewgolum Class – Toto Thimba Jnr, Franklin Manchest, Jacquin Hess and Fezekile Kana among others – as members of that transformation initiative who boast wins on any Sunshine Tour-sanctioned tournament.
“This is huge for me,” added Molloyi as members of the Papwa Sewgolum Class embraced him while showering him with congratulations. “I know there is still a lot of work to be done and a lot of competitions, but this moment is really big for me and I want to thank the Sunshine Tour and Blue Label for making it happen.”
Molloyi will now turn his attention to the Sunshine Tour where he will be aiming to replicate this success on a much bigger stage. Having tasted victory at this point, Molloyi will head into the next Sunshine Tour event beaming with confidence.
SCORES:
68 - Tumelo Molloyi
69 - Coert Groenewald, Ruan de Smidt, Dayne Moore, Conner Mackenzie, Christopher Long, Reece Mc Kain
70 - Ryan Tipping, Leon Vorster, Mark Maart, Thabang Simon, Christian Kriek, Francois Van der Walt
71 - Andrew McLardy, Ronald Rugumayo, Xander Basson, Jacquin Hess
72 - Philip Geerts, Jason Froneman, Ruan Groenewald, Dylan O'Leary
73 - Steven Le Roux, Rigardt Albertse, Brandon-Jude Rennie, Musiwalo Nethunzwi
74 - Evance Vukeya, Andrew Williamson, Therion Nel, Makhetha Mazibuko, Brandon Gildenhuys, Thabiso Ngcobo, Jastice Mashego, Keelan Africa, Kyle De Beer, Harry Konig
75 - Werner Deyzel, Andre De Decker, Gerard du Plooy, Burt Gildenhuys, Keegan Mclachlan, Samuel Simpson
76 - Noel Anderson, Slenda Sithebe, Jabulane Mabilane, Alphius Kelapile, Lyle Pedro, Andre Van Dyk, Irvin Mazibuko, Mandla Dlamini Jnr
77 - Ricco Motsa, Stals Swart, Sipho Bujela, Shaahid Mahmed
78 - Darren Slingers, Siphiwe Siphayi
79 - Brandon Moodley, Shaheed Patel
80 - Gerard Moodley, Umar Davids
83 - Henning du Plooy