Rookie Justin Harding wins Vodacom Business Origins of Golf Final
Justin Harding stood on the winner’s podium with sparkling eyes as he seized the trophy and waved back at the crowd. News spread at the Oubaai Golf Club that a rookie had won the Sunshine Tour title at the Vodacom Business Origins of Golf
Final, Cape Town.
The 24-year-old, Justin Harding recorded a score of one-under par 71 in the final round of the tournament carrying a purse of $1.1 million. Harding started the final round with a pinch of nervousness, although, his first two rounds were
good enough to alleviate all such feelings.
Vodacom Business Origins of Golf Final was his maiden tournament on the professional tour and it became his first victory as well.
The South African, started to tee off from the front nine, but the strategy did not go in his favour. By the end of the round, he was already lagging behind by two strokes. However, the back nine brought good news. Harding parred the first three holes, picked
up three birdies on his way through the 14th to 17th hole and wrapped up the round with an aggregate of seven-under par 209.
He was followed by Ulrich van den Berg. The player was nowhere in the picture, as his initial scores were 74-70, which were not extraordinary. However, his final round started with a bang, Van den Berg teed off from the front nine at 8.50 am and picked up
three birdies against one bogey. That settled him with a score of 33.
The real drama started in the last nine holes, where the golfer collected four birdies on 12th, 13th, 17th and 18th holes. He wrapped the tournament with a net aggregate of 66.
Allen Michell took third place, whereas, the first round leader, Darren Fichardt seized the fourth.
Vodacom Business Origins of Golf Final was mere surprise for the young rookie, who required an exemption in the qualifying round. Once he achieved that, the next three days became a treat for the player. He stood in the first group of the
leader board, after every round.
Harding was surprised at the same time and happy for his unexpected achievement. He told the press, "It was awesome. I am thoroughly pleased. It was a fantastic week, nerve-wracking nonetheless, but I am overwhelmed. I'm thrilled".
The winner might be surprised, but at least he was calm. His father, Stafford Harding, who arrived after the second round on Thursday, seemed more nervous. The father and son were seen walking together on the entire course on Friday. According to the media
reports, Stafford was more nervous than his son and he accepted that when talking to the press, he said that his son was composed, unlike him.
Justine Harding is in his rookie year and he is in the race to become the ‘Rookie of the year’. With a debut victory at the Vodacom Business Origins of Golf Final, he has jumped from the eight-place to the third. As a record, Harding has become the first
rookie to win in his maiden professional event. In past, Tyrone Ferreira won the 2008 Zambia Open and seized this honour. With this prize money of $165,000, the winner has been exempted from the next two seasons. He is more energetic, more confident and he
is looking forward to a brilliant year ahead.
He told this to the press. He said, "I'm looking forward to it. It’s going to be lekker, but I am not going to put any added pressure on myself, and I'll just take it one step at a time. But this is a bonus. This is awesome".
This is it for the Sunshine Tour title at the Vodacom Business Origins of Golf Final, which ended yesterday( 15th October, 2010) at Oubaai Golf Club , Cape Town, South Africa. Justine Harding, a rookie won the title and declared
himself invincible.
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