SUN CITY, South Africa – American golfer Johannes Veerman won his second European Tour title by winning the Nedbank Golf Challenge in South Africa by one shot following a bogey on the 72nd hole by home favorite Aldrich Potgieter on Sunday.
Veerman had completed his final round of 3-under 69 about an hour before the 20-year-old Potgieter went down on No. 18, needing a birdie to win or gain points to force a qualifier for the tournament known as “Africa’s Major.” “
Instead, he pushed his way into the rough near the fairway near the green, chipped — after a free fall — to 10 feet and missed the par putt.
The 209th-ranked Veerman, whose other win came at the Czech Masters in 2021, celebrated the victory on the driving range, where he was preparing for a possible match. He started the final round five strokes back at Gary Player Country Club.
He became emotional after his latest win, praising the sacrifices of his family, especially his wife, Angela.
“We had a business that my wife managed that we sold,” said Veerman, crying. “He sold it so we could be together as a family here on the road and take two kids with us, so it was a lot of work to say goodbye to friends and family for a year. to release, to satisfy, all those words.”
The 32-year-old Californian shot a 5-under 283 in the tournament. Potgieter, who scored three goals in one night, shot 75 and tied for second place with Matthew Jordan (72) and Romain Langasque (71).
Max Homa, last year’s winner in the United States, opened the tournament with a 6-under 66 and finished at the highest level. He closed with a 75 and tied for 14th.
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