Aiken captures the Order of Merit

JOHANNESBURG: Thomas Aiken realised a career-long dream yesterday when he won the Sunshine Tour Order of Merit for the first time, courtesy of a top 10 finish in the South African Open at Glendower.

The SA Open, even though played this month, was the last event on the 2014 Sunshine Tour Order of Merit and Aiken needed to be in the top 10 to just edge past young Danie van Tonder who topped the money list for most of 2014, playing almost a full schedule at home which included two wins and a runner-up finish in the co-sanctioned Tshwane Open.

Aiken, who won the Africa Open (also co-sanctioned) at East London Golf Club last summer, ultimately needed to two-putt for par from all of 90 feet on the final green yesterday to top the Order of Merit.

“I left the first putt about 10 foot short and the pressure was really on but I hit the next one straight in the middle of the cup,” said the 31-year-old Aiken who closed with a 70 for nineunder-par 281.

“To have the Order of Merit signed and sealed is a very special feeling, and it’s something I’ve always wanted to win since starting out in professional golf in 2002,” said Aiken, who earned just over R400 000 for joint seventh place yesterday (to boost his season earnings to in excess of R4-million) which was enough to overtake Van Tonder who finished well down the list following a 75 for 292.