Froneman claims Classic
'This Firethorn course is a very, very tough course and the set-up this week was difficult'
JASON Froneman earned a reputation as a tenacious fighter in the amateur ranks. This Gary Player School of Champions player lived up to his billing as he grinded to a maiden pro-victory in the IGT Tour’s Tour Bound Classic on Wednesday.
The 19-year-old Kempton Park golfer did not let the rainy and extremely cold conditions at Randpark Golf Club disrupt his title charge at the new Firethorn course and sealed a two-stroke victory on a six-under-par 210 with three successive rounds of 70.
First round joint leader, Jacques de Villiers, also closed with a 70 to edge out Michael Palmer by a stroke for second. Palmer, a three-time winner this season, signed for a 71 to take third on 213.
Froneman was visibly delighted to visit the winner’s circle, especially after an agonising play-off in his Big Easy Tour debut last month.
“I had a four-shot lead after a first round 61 at my home course, but Gert Myburgh beat me in the play-off,” the IGT Tour graduate said.
“It was a hard pill to swallow, but winning this one on the IGT Tour has taken the sting out of that loss.
“This Firethorn course is a very, very tough course and the set-up this week was difficult. You had to keep focussed and patient or you paid the price. It was a really great test for us.
“Some holes are very tight, while others are pretty open, but they played us off the back tips and tucked the pins in impossible spots on some holes. You just couldn’t afford to get aggressive.
“I had four bogeys in the first round, so I decided to play the course as it was designed and it paid off.”
Froneman surrendered just one stroke in the second round and an unfortunate mishap in the rain during the final round cost him two shots at the par-three eighth.
“The club slipped and I lost my tee shot right into the hazard,” he said.
“I took a drop and I up-and-downed for a double. You have to accept these things happen. The rest of the round was pretty good. I had an early birdie at the fourth and managed to get back into red numbers with back-to-back birdies at 11 and 12.
“I hit my tee shot at 14 left, but I hooked the second into the greenside bunker and hit a great trap shot to 10 feet. I made the birdie putt to keep the momentum going.”
Froneman described the victory as having ticked a huge box.
“The longer hitters have a slight advantage off the tee, especially from the back tips, but only if you hit the ball accurately. The greens are new and rock hard, so you have to be able to stop the ball. They run very true, though, and they are pacey, which I really enjoyed,” he said.
“It’s nice to come out on the winning end of such a great test of golf.”
