First provincial victory for Dylan
“I knew I was in contention, but I didn’t look at the leader board, because it just starts messing with your head."
17-year-old Dylan Mostert celebrated his first provincial victory at the Central Gauteng Open, which was held at Royal Johannesburg and Kensington Golf Club on November 11.
Dylan boxed a two-foot putt at the East Course’s 18th for a one under 71 to finish one stroke clear of the four-way tie in second, on a winning total of 12-under-par 276.
Following a tie for sixth in the Eastern Province Open a week ago, Mostert came into the event carrying some good form, but he was still well out of the running in the first two rounds.
He opened with a 71 and a second round 66 saw him start the third round seven shots behind.
“I knew I was in contention, but I didn’t look at the leader board, because it just starts messing with your head. I didn’t have the greatest start to the final round. I birdied the first, but dropped four shots in the next four holes.
“The wind had picked up quite a bit but we didn’t only have a two club wind. It was swirling so much that club selection was really tough” said Mostert.
He started showing a return to form on the junior circuit with top five finishes in his last four starts, including a runner-up finish in the Inland Nomads National Order of Merit event at Bryanston. The top 10 finish at the Port Elizabeth Golf Club gave him a good dose of confidence.
“This win makes the hard work, the long hours and all the frustration over the last two years so worth it. This is for me, for my coach Neil and for my family, especially my dad Kirk, who has been so supportive through all the swing changes and who kept on encouraging me. It’s really great to take some confidence into the SA U/19 Inter-Provincial Championship and I can’t wait for December to see if I can go two-for-two in the Joburg Junior Open here at RJK,” said Mostert.
