Sweet day for Kruger and Harding

IT was a good weekend of golf for Jbe’ Kruger and Justin Harding with wins in the Gauteng Championship and Kenya Open respectively.

Kruger fought like a terrier, and an eagle early in his final round gave him the impetus he needed to fight for the lead and eventually win the Sunshine Tour’s Gauteng Championship presented by Betway at Ebotse Links.

“I don’t think I’ve been as nervous ever in my life,” said Kruger after his fifth Sunshine Tour victory. “I was happy to make a few putts.

“I still hit a lot of shots that were not that great, but under pressure, I managed to keep it together, and that’s probably all that matters.”

Meanwhile, Harding fired a 66 in the final round of the European Tour’s Magical Kenya Open two years ago and it wasn’t enough for the win, so he was elated it was good enough this time on Sunday at Karen Country Club in Nairobi.

He went four-under with two birdies and an eagle on the opening nine, and then made just one birdie on the way home, and that was enough to give him a two-stroke win over Kurt Kitayama of the US, with Conor Syme of Scotland in third a further two shots back.

“It was hard work,” said an emotional Harding. I was happy with the way I played. I’m glad I got one better than a couple of years ago. I was bummed about that, but I’m just happy with the way I managed my game.

“I made a mess of 11 and 12 and ultimately the way I played 13 through 18 this week, it was a bit of a stressful time, said Harding. “I executed some shots and managed to make a couple of good par saves.”