Winner Erik has his Eye in

– Erik van Rooyen (above) hit his approach to inside a foot in the first hole of a threeway play-off yesterday to set himself up for birdie and victory in the R1.5-million Eye of Africa PGA Championship.

He finished regulation play with a birdie on 18 too, to finish on 16-under for the tournament together with Dylan Frittelli and Makhetha Mazibuko, who narrowly missed a par-putt on 18 in regulation which would have given him the victory. Last year’s runner-up Dean Burmester finished fourth after a one-over 73.

“The 18th is not easy,” said Van Rooyen. “I didn’t plan to stiff it with my second in the play-off. You need to give yourself a chance, especially after I saw where Makhetha hit his ball into the bunker. I knew par might have a chance. But my approach drew back so nicely and it almost went in.”

The victory was the first in his Sunshine Tour career which stretches back to 2013 when he earned his card.

Behind him, Mazibuko came agonisingly close to pulling off what would have been an amazing victory. A product of the SA Golf Development Board’s efforts in the Free State, and then of the Ernie Els & Fancourt Foundation, and latterly the Gary Player Class of 2017 initiative, he announced himself as someone who will break through soon.

Likewise Frittelli, who saw his chances of winning evaporate with a poor tee shot on the play-off hole. – Own Correspondent