U.S based South African golfer, Dean Burmester wins the 2023 Joburg Open
With a final round of 64, Burmester claimed his third DP World Tour title on 18 under par and booked his place in next year’s Open at Royal Troon.
US-based South African golfer Dean Burmester claimed his third DP World Tour title on 18 under par by winning the 2023 Joburg Open on November 26 at Houghton Golf Club.
“We recently bought a house in Florida and were busy moving so there wasn’t much time to prepare for this event. But when I landed here, I did some great preparation in the practice rounds and that set the tone for me,” he said.
According to the Sunshine Tour, Burmester’s comfort level on the golf course showed in the final round where overnight leader Thriston Lawrence suddenly struggled with his game on his way to a 75 and a share of seventh place. Darren Fichardt came charging through the field with a 64 to finish second on 15 under par, and defending champion Dan Bradbury also made a run at it with a 64 of his own to finish third on 13 under par.
Fichardt and Bradbury took the other two spots on offer for the 2024 Open Championship.
The award-winning golfer noted that it sounded pretty cool to be the Joburg Open champion, “I have been playing this event for so long and to win it is amazing, that was my goal coming home. I hadn’t won this year and have been playing well, so to come here and win a tournament in my home country in front of my home fans with some of my family here is very special.”
Having started his career on the Sunshine Tour with his first title in the 2013 Polokwane Classic, Burmester paid special tribute to a tour which remained close to his heart.
“The Sunshine Tour is a special place and there are a lot of friends here. It’s a great breeding ground for world golf.
“There were so many children out here today and if this can make one child take up golf, then it’s worth it. I was once that child at a Sunshine Tour event in Bloemfontein standing next to a scoreboard changing scores. I want to now do my part and give back as well.”
The scores were as follows:
- 262 – Dean Burmester 68, 62, 68, 64
- 265 – Darren Fichardt 66, 6, 68, 64
- 267 – Dan Bradbury 66, 69, 68, 64
- 268 – Zander Lombard 66, 65, 69, 68, Jacques Kruyswijk 66 64 69 69
- 269 – Nikhil Rama 65, 62 ,72, 70
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