Jan McDermott closes out ‘Big Fish’ for victory at Southern KZN Closed
Some of the regulars were missing but there was still some high quality golf played.
See ball, hit ball is probably the best way to sum up Umdoni Park golfer Jan McDermott’s current approach to his game.
It seems to be working as he played some excellent golf to win the Southern KZN Closed at Southbroom GC last Sunday.
He needed two extra holes to get the job done, eventually clinching the victory with a birdie on the second playoff hole against multiple past champion Gavin ‘Big Fish’ Sole (Southbroom).
Jan shot 70 in the morning and 69 in the afternoon to finish on five under par.
He was tied with Gavin who had matching rounds of 70 and 69.
In the sudden-death playoff both players parred the 14th, before Jan closed things out in the fading light with a birdie on the 17th.
Gavin has won this tournament more times than he can remember. For someone to beat him on his home course takes something a bit extra.
“I can’t say it’s because I have been practising,” said Jan, with a laugh. “It’s more about trusting the shot that you see and committing to it.”
He has tried not to overthink things. “If it work out, it works out, if not, no big deal. So far it seems to be working and my mind is much more free. We’ll see how long it lasts but for now it’s good.”
Defending champion Jean-Marc Bouic (Southbroom) finished third on 71 and 75, with Cyprian Xolo (Southbroom) fourth on 80 and 72.
Best nett was won by Cyprian on 144, with Gary Purtell (Southbroom) the runner-up o 149. In tied for third were Andre Attfield (Southbroom) and Jan Nqoko (Southbroom) on 150.
The team to play at the KZN Interzone tournament at Prince’s Grant from July 24-26 is captain Jean-Marc Bouic (Southbroom), Tiaan Bekker (Selborne Park), Marno Langeveldt (Selborne Park), Jan McDermott (Umdoni Park), Jan Nqoko (Southbroom), Cameron Olivant (Port Shepstone), Gavin Sole (Southbroom) and Cyprian Xolo (Southbroom).
RESULTS
139 Jan McDermott 70 69*
139 Gavin Sole 70 69
146 Jean-Marc Bouic 71 75
152 Cyprian Xolo 80 72
159 Gary Purtell 78 81
160 Jan Nqoko 84 76
165 Marno Langeveldt 80 85
166 Thulani Ben Xolo 84 82
167 Cody Dry 84 83
168 Tiaan Bekker 82 86
176 Talan Roos 92 84
176 Andre Attfield 80 96
178 Werner Duggan 81 97
178 Grantie Richards 88 90
180 Matthew Evans 89 91
182 Jonathan Muthige 89 93
202 Simon Shusha 98 104
* (won on second playoff hole)
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