Dawie van der Walt claimed his maiden win on the European Tour in the 2013 Tshwane Open on Sunday. Photo: Mike Tippett
PRETORIA, South Africa – Dawie van der Walt won his first European Tour title when he emerged from a crowded leaderboard at the Tshwane Open at The Els Club, Copperleaf, on Sunday.
Van Der Walt finished a fairytale week with a 67 for 21 under par 267, two clear of Darren Fichardt.
Fichardt closed with a 69 in what has been a dream run for him, with a win, seventh and second-place finish in the last three weeks.
Louis de Jager claimed his best finish in a European Tour event when he placed third on 18 under par with a 69.
But Van Der Walt proved once again the value of a young South African professional being able to play in one of six European Tour events in his home country, and its ability to launch a career.
Of more value than the R2.7 million in prize money he earned is a two-year exemption on the European Tour. And perhaps, most importantly, the belief that comes with it.
“You know, I’m 30 years old now, I’ve been a professional for six years without a win, and you start to doubt,” said Van Der Walt.
“You see all your friends winning and you wonder if it will ever be your turn. You start to wonder whether you have it in you. Today I know I do.”
