Groenewald bags maiden win
Mpumalanga junior golf player of the year, Ruan Groenewald (19) held off late charges from amateurs Aneurin Gounden and Gerhard Pepler to claim a maiden pro win in the IGT Challenge Tour #10 at Irene Country Club on Wednesday.
The White River Country Club golfer entered the final day a shot behind Pepler and fellow Mpumalanga rookie Peetie van der Merwe, and showed real guts over the last three holes to sign for 69 and a one-shot victory on 10-under 206.
Groenewald hit the front after he birdied both par fives around the turn and he moved three shots clear of the chasing pack with his fifth birdie at the par-three 13th.
“I was 11-under and then disaster struck,” said the 19-year-old.
“I leaked my driver right and found my ball up against a tree. I had no shot, so I just did my best to get it back in the fairway. I had about 100 metres flag and hit a sand wedge, but it came out too hot. I was right at the back of the green.”
Gounden went on a hot streak, racking up a brace of birdies on 14 and 15 to get to eight-under, and Pepler was also two shots adrift after a bogey at 14.
Gounden, playing three groups ahead, birdied the par five 17th and the closing par four for a five-under 67 to set the clubhouse target at nine-under.
“I made a huge par-save at 16 that gave me a nice boost of confidence, but I nearly ran into trouble at the 17th. I drove it into the left hazard, but I found my ball and chipped out with a lob wedge to get back in the fairway.
“I had 200 metres flag and I gave it everything with a seven iron and hit it to give. After I holed the birdie putt, and Gerhard also made a birdie, I had a one-shot lead. I was really calm playing the last hole, and just went for the safe shots. There was no reason to get fancy with one shot in hand.”
Groenewald split the fairway, hit his sand wedge in 106 metres and two-putted for the win.
The victory moved Groenewald to 12th on the IGT Money Leaders in only his sixth start. “It feels really great,” he said.
