Purchase claims dramatic victory for maiden pro title
Warwick Purchase’s first-ever win – both as a professional and as an amateur – came in some dramatic fashion at Glenvista Country Club on Wednesday.
On a tournament total of seven-under-par 209, Purchase, Ulrich van den Berg and Leon Vorster tied for the top spot; necessitating a play-off to decide the victor.
Leon Vorster, who was looking for his second win in three starts fell off on the first playoff hole after Purchase and Van den Berg while the latter fell on the second.
DRAMA at @glenvistacountryclub!
— Big Easy Tour (@bigeasytourgolf) August 7, 2024
Warwick Purchase defeats Ulrich van den Berg on the 2nd play-off hole💪. This, after a 3-man playoff involving the 2 players and Leon Vorster, where the latter lost on the 1st hole of sudden death.#betwaybigeasytour #greatnessbeginshere pic.twitter.com/ERj55G9jCq
“It was a great day,” said an elated Purchase. “As I said yesterday, I just wanted to go out and enjoy the moment; put as many golf shots as possible. Obviously, I’m very excited. This is my first win both as an amateur and as a professional. I can’t thank Betway and the Big Easy Tour enough for setting up a platform for us to realise our dreams.
“I was very nervous going against Ulrich, which is natural, I think. Ulrich is a fierce competitor and he has proven it over the years. But I just needed to do what I needed to do and that is what I did and I am happy to come out on top.”
Breakthrough victory 🏆
— Big Easy Tour (@bigeasytourgolf) August 7, 2024
Congratulations, Warwick!#GreatnessBeginsHere #betwaybigeasytour pic.twitter.com/BkBGdvPBmS
Even as he narrowly lost in the playoff, Van den Berg will be satisfied with his effort this week, and the same could be said for Vorster. Both players showed tremendous tenacity but the golf gods were on Purchase’s side.
The Benoni Country Club member, Purchase, turned pro just last year and played himself to 29th on the Order of Merit last season.
It was no small achievement for a rookie.
With a win already secured in the current season, the East Rand native will now look to add more silverware to his cabinet and hopefully by the end of the season, earn his Sunshine Tour playing card for the following campaign.
The Betway Big Easy Tour is the Sunshine Tour’s development circuit where the top 12 on the Order of Merit will earn privileges to compete on the main Tour.
SCORES:
209 - Warwick Purchase
209 - Ulrich van den Berg, Leon Vorster
210 - Samuel Simpson
211 - Luke Trocado, Regan Steyn, Vaughn van Deventer
212 - Jacquin Hess, Xander Basson, Stals Swart, Christian Kriek, Keenan Davidse, David Amm
213 - Keelan Africa, Christopher Long
214 - Eric Wowor
215 - Kieron van Wyk, Ruan de Smidt, Dayne Moore
216 - Andrew Williamson, Karabo Mokoena, Jaden Deltel, Reece Mc Kain, Nikhil Rama, Joe Knox
217 - Henning du Plooy, Slade Pickering, Kyle Lucas
218 - Lyle Pedro, Andre Van Dyk
220 - Sentanio Minnie
Missed the cut:
145 - Leon Visser, Marcel Steyn Scholtz, Adriel Poonan, Irvin Mazibuko, Jastice Mashego, Jordan Duminy
146 - Ryan Tipping, Otto Van Buynder, Kayle Wykes, Jonathan Waschefort
147 - Paul Boshoff, Makhetha Mazibuko, Simon du Plooy, Philip Geerts
148 - Andre De Decker, Keelan van Wyk, Richard Joubert, Tyron Davidowitz, Matthew Rushton
149 - Jabulane Mabilane
150 - Hayden Garcia, Keanu Pestana, Steven Le Roux, Bradford Vaughan, Andrew McLardy, Johan Theron, Eugene Du Plessis, Louis Liebenberg
151 - Drikus Joubert, Coert Groenewald, Shaahid Mahmed, Erhard Lambrechts
152 - Letsoso Letsai, Slenda Sithebe
153 - Francois Van der Walt, Mike Maile, Musiwalo Nethunzwi, Teboho Sefatsa, Dehan Joubert
154 - Kyle Kistensamy, Lincon Denzy Cele, Tumelo Molloyi, Shalan Govender, Mutahi Kibugu, Allister de Kock, Sabelo Xolani Majola, Richard Kruger
155 - Shaydon Johnson, Mohammad Rauf Mandhu, Harry Konig, Lwazi Gqira, Christiaan Pretorius, Enzo Barbaglia
156 - James Kamte, Jarryd Govender, Cornel Muller, Nicholaus Frade, Carlos Losper, Aneurin Gounden
157 - Gerard du Plooy, Eben Spangenberg, Luke Mayo
158 - Kian Coetzer, Khanya Mkhize, Trevor Mahoney, Michael Kok
159 - Terence Boardman, John Bele, Jason Froneman
160 - Mark Maart
161 - Jonathan Williams, Boeta Nasie
162 - Kael Strydom
165 - Llewellyn Leibrandt
168 - Ricco Motsa
172 - David Masole
WDN - Gerhard Trytsman, Siyanda Mwandla, Njoroge Kibugu, Therion Nel, Sibusiso Magagula, Jacob Oakley, Brandon Moodley, Brandon-Jude Rennie
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