Samuel Simpson carded a final-round four-under-par 68 to claim a three-stroke wire-to-wire victory in the seventh tournament of the Altron Big Easy Tour held at Kyalami Country Club on Wednesday.
Simpson, along with Coert Groenewald, who was his closest challenger on day three, came into the final round with a one-shot lead as both players sought to claim respective maiden victories on this Sunshine Tour development circuit.
Eventually, however, it was the 21-year-old Royal Cape Golf Club golfer who emerged victorious.
“I am so happy to get over the finally get over the line,” said a visibly elated Simpson.
“I played really well this year and to finally go home with another win this year is really special. I’m over the moon.”
Simpson’s eventful round was characterised by seven birdies, an eagle, three bogeys and a double-drop on the same 11th hole where he’d made a triple-bogey seven on day two of this 54-hole tournament.
“I started par-bogey today and I was one behind for a couple of holes,” said Simpson, recalling the details of his final round.
“Then I got to the turn and I made a double on 11, so I am five-over on that hole this week.
“But, to be honest, I played the par-fives really well. I was five-under on the par-fives today but I ended up shooting four-under. From previous experiences here, I just knew that there were birdies around the corner if I just stuck to my strategy which was to birdie all the par-fives and hit as many greens as possible. The course suits my eye off the tee and I knew that if I limit the mistakes, I will be under-par.”
Simpson is no stranger to the Kyalami Country Club track.
While this may be his first win on any Sunshine Tour-sanctioned event, the GolfRSA development product has had a few other wins on another circuit, with his most recent win being a Bushveld Tour triumph on this same layout.
“As I said, this course suits my eye and I have developed a liking for it,” he added, “so, I was really comfortable this week. To win on this Tour is not easy and this win means so much to me because of that. You have to work really hard to win here, so I am stoked that I finally got it done. I didn’t have the best year on the Sunshine Tour last season, so this win kind of confirms that I belong here too. I just need to work harder to reach my targets.”
Following a stellar amateur career, the Rondebosch resident will hope this win is the first of many professional wins.
SCORES:
203 - Samuel Simpson 66 69 68
206 - Coert Groenewald 66 69 71
207 - Ruan de Smidt 66 71 70
209 - Makhetha Mazibuko 68 68 73
210 - Dayne Moore 70 69 71, Gerard du Plooy 69 68 73
211 - Francois Van der Walt 70 71 70, Franklin Manchest 68 71 72
212 - Gregory Mckay 71 71 70, Marcel Steyn Scholtz 69 69 74
213 - Dylan O'Leary 74 69 70, Andre De Decker 70 71 72, Christopher Long 74 67 72, Kayle Wykes 72 69 72, Therion Nel 74 67 72, Amilkar Bhana 71 69 73, Christian Kriek 72 68 73, Matthew Rushton 68 72 73, Leon Vorster 69 70 74
214 - Andrew McLardy 69 73 72, Jack Buchanan 71 71 72, Leon Visser 73 69 72
215 - Allister de Kock 70 73 72, Jason Froneman 71 71 73, Philip Geerts 70 68 77
216 - Andre Van Dyk 71 72 73, Andrew Williamson 69 72 75, DK Kim 68 72 76
217 - Harry Konig 73 70 74, Thabiso Ngcobo 70 73 74, Ricky Hendler 68 73 76
218 - James Pennington 73 70 75, Thabang Simon 69 73 76, Rigardt Albertse 72 68 78
220 - Ryan Tipping 67 74 79