Modderfontein golfer wins maiden IGT Challenge
‘They say the more you put yourself into a position to win, the easier it gets’
DYLAN Docherty of Modderfontein Golf Club rallied to a maiden IGT Challenge Tour title thanks to an impressive back nine performance in the Waterkloof Challenge on Wednesday last week.
The Edenvale golfer was two shots back from joint leaders Triston Strydom, David Mofokeng and Duane Keun when he began the final day at Waterkloof Golf Club. He still lagged two behind Strydom at the turn, but Docherty pushed to the top of the pile when he walked in five birdies on the back nine for a five-under-par 67.
When Strydom, playing in the final group, failed to birdie the closing hole to force a playoff, Docherty could celebrate his first success on the country’s premier golf development circuit with a one-shot victory of 15-under-par 201.
Docherty has had some close calls during the past two years, including the Race to Q-School #3 title, which he lost to David McIntyre in a playoff at State Mines Country Club last October.
“It’s just magic to savour this moment,” said Docherty. “They say the more you put yourself in a position to win, the easier it gets. Hopefully, this is the start of more victories to come.”
“I struggled to move past mistakes, and there were two moments in the final round that would have unhinged me in the past; today I rallied and that won me the tournament.”
For Docherty, it feels like he has come full circle. He joined the pro ranks in 2009 after a successful amateur career but after just two seasons, a series of injuries derailed his career. After a dog bite to the face and successive knee surgeries, he packed it in, took a position at a logistic company and even got his amateur status back so he could play league. But his heart wasn’t in it.
“The desire to play professionally haunted me,” said the 32-year-old.
“I was fortunate to get the opportunity to try again. I worked really hard and cruised through the first stage of the Sunshine Tour qualifying school in March. I was in a strong position at the final stage with one round to go, but an eight at the par four 13th ended my campaign.”
