An unsung hero behind fine win
NKONYANE: SA CADDIE RECONNECTS WITH CHAMPION
Glendower gallery really got into the spirit of things.
Thama Jeffrey Nkonyane collected the biggest cheque of his 32-year career after helping England’s Graeme Storm to victory in the BMW SA Open at a packed and thrilled Glendower on Sunday afternoon.
The Englishman went toe-totoe with Rory McIlroy, but came out on top at the third play-off hole.
Storm might have weathered the onslaught of the world No 2, but a tsunami is about to hit Nkonyane’s bank account after the 37-year-old Storm pocketed R2.3 million for his efforts.
“This will definitely be the biggest pay-day of my life and of course the money is going to be great, but this is the proudest day of my career,” said the 51-year-old from Soweto.
“It was very special to win the SA Open in front of my home crowd with Graeme, because we’ve known each other more than 20 years.
“I used to caddie for him in his amateur days, when he came out to South Africa as a youngster to compete in the SA Stroke Play and SA Match Play.
“We always reconnect when he comes to South Africa and he calls on me if he doesn’t bring his own bagman. This time his caddie went on honeymoon, so he called and I came.”
Over the last three decades, Nkonyana has carried many bags and some of his favourites included Hugh Baiocchi, the late Wayne Westner and Woody Austin. After so many years playing mother, father, psychologist and as caddie brought a lot of experience and he knew his job was to keep Storm’s head in the game.
“They cheered just as hard for Graeme as they did for Rory and that really gave us a lot of confidence.
“I am so proudly South African today. This just shows you that we are as good as caddies anywhere in the world and I hope the youngsters watching saw what Graeme and I did.”