A strong back nine saw Malcolm Mitchell cruise to a remarkable four-stroke victory in the SunBet Challenge Time Square at Wingate Park Country Club on Friday and claim his maiden win on the Sunshine Tour.
After turning in one under for his round, Mitchell made five birdies on the back nine for a final round of 66 to win on 14 under par.
He finished well clear of second-placed Louis Albertse, who had a great last day with a 65 to end on 10 under par.
Mitchell’s victory was his first on the Sunshine Tour in his 73rd event, and comes after he was the runner-up to Estiaan Conradie in the same event at Wingate two years ago.
Starting the final round two strokes behind overnight leader and travelling companion Jaco van Zyl, Mitchell was still trailing the leaders when he reached the turn in just one-under for his round, despite making an eagle on the par-five second.
But a birdie on the par-four 10th kicked off an astonishing back nine that saw him pick up further shots on the 13th, 14th, 15th and 18th holes as he pulled clear of the field.
“I was absolutely in the zone after I woke up this morning – just feeling good and happy. I know I play well here. There’s something about this course that just suits my eye. I just love it here and it’s one of my favourites.
“I spoke with Estiaan on the morning of the final round and I said the event two years ago actually brings me a lot of confidence. It might have looked comfortable today, but the first nine was actually very hectic and I made some very good up-and-downs.
“But then on the back nine I just felt the calmest I have ever felt in my life. My ball striking was unbelievable. I was making putts, and before I knew it, I opened my eyes and I had three birdies in a row from nowhere,” Mitchell beamed.
His caddie, the well-travelled Zwelithini “Terence” Ngoma, also had reason to feel delighted.
“It might sound arrogant, but I have this thing with my caddie. I have a very nice watch at home which I told him I would give to him when I get my first win on tour. And I don’t know why, but I actually packed it in the car this morning, I just had a feeling, I guess,” Mitchell explained.
Behind him, a fierce competitive streak is one of Albertse’s prime traits and starting the day seven strokes behind Van Zyl did not bother him. A tremendous start saw Albertse birdie seven of the first eight holes to claim the lead. The Pretoria local bogeyed the par-four ninth hole, but birdied 10 and 11 to regain the lead. But dropped shots at the 12th and 15th holes ended his brave challenge.
Ryan van Velzen also mounted a charge on the back nine, with an eagle on the par-five 15th leaving him on five-under for the round. But he bogeyed the 17th and could only par the par-five closing hole to finish with a 68 and alone in third place on nine-under.
Overnight leader Van Zyl stumbled to a 75 in the final round, with just one birdie, finishing in a tie for sixth place on seven-under-par.
FINAL SCORES:
202 - Malcolm Mitchell 68 68 66
206 - Louis Albertse 70 71 65
207 - Ryan Van Velzen 68 71 68
208 - Luca Filippi 67 71 70, Trevor Fisher Jnr 71 66 71
209 - Jean Hugo 70 73 66, Robin Williams 70 72 67, Quintin Wilsnach 72 67 70, Rupert Kaminski 72 67 70, Rhys West 69 67 73, Jaco Van Zyl 68 66 75
211 - Sean Bradley 73 69 69, Luke Jerling 73 69 69, Thriston Lawrence 76 65 70, Matthew Spacey 70 71 70, Estiaan Conradie 72 69 70, Keegan Mclachlan 72 68 71, Jaco Prinsloo 69 67 75, JC Ritchie 67 68 76
212 - Heinrich Bruiners 69 69 74, Anthony Michael 71 64 77
213 - Richard Joubert 76 68 69, Jonathan Broomhead 71 72 70, Gerhard Pepler 74 68 71, Daniel van Tonder 72 70 71
214 - Aneurin Gounden 71 72 71, Fredrik From 69 73 72, Jacques Blaauw 70 72 72, Stuart Krog 70 71 73
215 - Michael Hollick 75 69 71, Deon Germishuys 77 67 71, Willie Olivier 72 72 71, James Mack 72 72 71, Danie Van Niekerk 70 74 71, Jason Smith 71 70 74
216 - Wynand Dingle 73 71 72, Jovan Rebula 75 69 72, Jake Roos 69 72 75, Martin Rohwer 70 69 77
217 - James Pennington 74 70 73, Michael Kok 73 71 73, Ruan Korb 70 74 73, Allister de Kock 71 72 74
218 - Yurav Premlall 70 74 74, Matias Calderon 71 73 74, Madalitso Muthiya 72 71 75, James Hart du Preez 67 75 76, Tyron Davidowitz 70 71 77
219 - Adam Breen 75 68 76
220 - Jonathan Waschefort 74 70 76
223 - Ricky Hendler 73 71 79
224 - Jacques P de Villiers 73 71 80
