VAN WYK TAKES AMATEUR QUALIFIER HONOURS

George amateur Ben van Wyk continued the country’s proud tradition in the prestigious Amateur Championship when he became the third South African in the last six years to win the 36-hole Stroke Play Qualifier in England last month.

Following in the footsteps of GolfRSA National Squad graduates Wilco Nienaber (2018) and Jono Broomhead (2022), the 22-year-old University of Georgia senior led from start to finish.

Van Wyk produced a masterclass in his debut in the 128th Amateur Championship, firing seven birdies on the back nine at Hillside GC for an eight-under-par 64 and a one-shot lead in the first round.

Staying patient in the sweeping rain over the final round, the World No 88 turned in one-over but he rallied with a flurry of four birdies over the last six holes for a three-under-par 68 to retain pole position.

The 288-man international field battled for supremacy, and survival, in England’s north-west, with Eliot Baker from England and Swiss golfer Ronan Kleu getting within a shot of Van Wyk, but neither could match or better the Fancourt golfer’s 11-under total of 132.

“I am happy with the result, because it was real tough in the beginning,” said Van Wyk, who recently earned All-American honours. “You have to accept pars and just try and make the long putts. I just stayed patient, stuck in there, made a few good pars and heated up on the back nine.

“I hit it straight off the tee and I’ve always putted well. I’ve been working a lot on my iron play and if the irons are good, I’m going to have birdie looks. They have just fallen this week.”

Van Wyk also credited his caddie, Norman Seton, for keeping him focussed.

“It has been great to have my best friend on the bag. He helped me simplify the game. He is also from George. Growing up, since we were like 10, he’s always played well. He always beat me when we were younger. It’s nice to get him back. He is on my bag and he’s actually my mental coach and all those things. It’s very impressive for a young age and he helped me for sure a lot on the course.”