PROTAGONISTS Coetzee’s feeling like a man reborn
FITNESS REGIME: SA STAR IS DOING ALL THE RIGHT THINGS
Three top seven finishes in five events for 31-year-old.
Afitter George Coetzee is arguably the hottest SA golfer on the world tours at the moment. “It’s just been kind of a balanced lifestyle. Just training better, eating better and doing better in general. My golf’s been good, really good, the last couple of weeks,” said Coetzee.
Coetzee (pictured) finished tied sixth at the Italian Open on Sunday, on 17-under par following impressive rounds of 65, 69, 65 and 68.
The 31-year-old was just three shots off second, and four behind England’s Tyrell Hatton who claimed victory with a birdie on the 72nd hole to end on 21-under.
For his efforts, Coetzee picked up a cheque of €166 982.
A look at his card for the week in Italy reveals that Coetzee notched up 18 birdies, three eagles, and eight bogies.
Interestingly his eagle count of three over for the four rounds was three more than Hatton.
It meant Coetzee has notched up three top-seven finishes in his last five tournaments on the European Tour dating back to the KLM Open in mid-September.
Coetzee recently shed 15kg and the new fitness regime seems to have rejuvenated his performances.
His total earnings for the season stand at €717 441, which sees him ranked 41st in the Race to Dubai – the season-long moneylist on the European Tour. Should he keep up his strong performances he also seems likely to improve his fourth place among the South Africans in the Race to Dubai. Dylan Frittelli – with his maiden European Tour victory this season – is ahead in 37th place, Branden Grace sits in 33rd with Charl Schwartzel leading the way in 22nd position. Coetzee now finds himself ranked 119th in the world, after a poor 2016 season which saw him fall to 148th. The player reached a career high of 41st in the world in January 2013, and his improved fitness levels could well see him headed towards the upper echelons of world golf once more. – ANA