Dean finally does it with Tshwane Open win
Dean Burmester claimed his first European Tour title by three strokes.
It was a victory that was a long time coming, but when it finally arrived, Dean Burmester struggled to put into words what it meant to claim his maiden European Tour title by three strokes in the Tshwane Open on Sunday March 5.
“Now I’m a European Tour winner. That sounds good,” was all he could get out at first. “This is massive. I can’t explain where I am right now.”
Where he is, is at the winning end of a run of three top tens and a share of eleven in four of his five tournaments this year, top-five finishes in the Tshwane Open the previous two years, and a general banging on this door for the past few seasons.
“I’m elated,” he said after a dominant final-round performance that saw him win on 18 under par with a closing 65 at Pretoria Country Club.
Spain’s Jorge Campillo and Finland’s Mikko Korhonen shared second on 15 under.
Burmester’s victory was built on a fast start of three birdies in his opening three holes, which did a lot to calm the nerves of a golfer who has been pushing hard for a victory as big as this.
“I had put a lot of added pressure on myself and frustration to win. Now I’m just looking forward to a full season on the European Tour.”
A front nine of 29, his first on the circuit, and then a birdie on ten took him six shots clear of the field.
But Burmester was well aware of some tricky holes on the back nine, and was the first to admit that he did make things somewhat difficult for himself with three bogeys there.
“I know what this golf course can do. It showed me on 16 and 17 with the bogeys there, and I made it a bit harder. But I did the job on 18, so I’m really excited.”
It was a victory made all the more rewarding by having his whole family there to witness it.
“It’s surreal. I’m just really, really chuffed. My grandfather recently passed away so this one was for him.” Credit: Sunshine Tour
For free daily local news in the south, visit our sister newspapers Alberton Record, Comaro Chronicle, Southern Courier and Get it Joburg South Magazine.
Remember to visit our Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages. You can also email our offices on cvdwalt@caxton.co.za, juliem@caxton.co.za or luckyt@caxton.co.za
Add us on WhatsApp today! Alberton Record: 060 644 5264 Comaro Chronicle: 079 427 8074 and Southern Courier: 079 404 5789.
