Strydom is tops again on IGT Tour

TRISTEN Strydom continued the amateur dominance of the 2016 IGT Tour season, when he swept to a second victory in four weeks at the Wingate Challenge, on Wednesday, last week.

The Golf RSA national squad member represents Ekurhuleni.

His affinity for the course showed as he reeled in seven birdies to march to a six-shot victory on 14-under-par 202.

Aubrey Beckley fired a final round 67 to take second, five shots ahead of fellow North West amateur, Danie van Niekerk, who signed for a 72.

Strydom held a one-shot advantage at the start of the final round, but pulled well clear of the field, with a trio of birdies, from the second hole.

He parred his way through the turn and closed with a flurry of birdies over the last four holes, to post a flawless seven-under-par 65.

“That was such an enjoyable round,” said the Serengeti Golf and Wildlife Estate player.

“I felt no pressure out there and I knew, when I got in position on the front nine, that I could pull it through. I kept a cool head and made sure I sank the important putts.

“I hit the ball really well and my distance putting was good, too. Even when I got it slightly wrong, I was able to cosy it up to two or three feet.

”I played rock solid and it felt like a simple day in the office; I’m most proud of the fact that I didn’t drop a shot all day.”

The victory moved Strydom to sixth on the Order of Merit rankings, but it was his stroke average after the last four events that left him brimming with excitement about the future.

“I posted sub-par scores in the last six rounds and that’s great news,” he said.

“I plan to play the first stage of the European Tour’s Qualifying School and I just want to keep building on this.

“There’s still work to be done, but I’m really happy with the progress I’ve made since we returned from the Golf RSA National Squad Tour to the United Kingdom, two months ago.”

“Competing against the pros definitely helps to take your game to the next level.”