It’s the proudest day of my career, says Nkonyane
JOHANNESBURG: Thama Jeffrey Nkonyane will ollect the biggest cheque of his 32 year long career as a caddy after helping England’s Graeme Storm to victory over Rory McIlroy.
Storm might have weathered the onslaught of the world’s number two player, 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 proudest day of my career,” said the 51-yearold from Soweto. “It was very special to win the SA Open in front of my home crowd with Graeme, because we’ve known each for many years.
“I caddied 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. Then I picked up his bag again at the SA Open in 2004. 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 caddy 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, phycologist and caddy brought a lot of experience and he knew his job was to keep Storm’s head in the game.
“Graeme never played with Rory before, so we knew it was going to be a stressful day at the office, but I have to say, the South African golf fans had a lot to do with his win,” Nkonyane said.
“At almost every hole, for every shot, they cheered just as hard for Graeme as they did for Rory and that really gave us a lot of confidence. Graeme didn’t have time to feel the nerves.
“My job was to keep him looking ahead and keep him in the game. I kept telling him not to get angry or upset and hurt himself. We worked well together and he had the confidence to tackle Rory.
“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 today. You can achieve anything if you work hard and you keep trying.” JOHANNESBURG: In a dramatic finish, England’s Graeme Storm went toe to toe with the world’s number two player Rory McIlroy – first in regulation play and then in a thrilling three-hole sudden death playoff - and came out on top. For his efforts the 38-yearold bagged the SA Open title and a cheque for R2.3 million at a packed Glendower yesterday afternoon.
Both Storm – who led after the second and third rounds – and McIlroy finished their 72 holes at 18-under-par, one shot in front of the rest of the field, and were forced to play the 18th hole three times before the Englishman pipped the man from Northern Ireland.
After both men parred the 18th the first two times of asking in the playoff, McIlroy eventually missed his putt from about one metre to hand Storm the victory. It’s just his second win on tour after previously capturing the French Open in 2007.
“I’m speechless, it’s surreal, it’s unbelievable,” said Storm who had to borrow money from a friend to play at the Open after losing his sponsor last year.
“I knew I wouldn’t get the crowds cheering my name ... Rory’s the guy that got the crowds in, but I knew I’d have a chance if I just stuck to my own game. That’s what I did. It wasn’t my best golf today, but I hung in there and this is a dream come true.”
Storm is understood to have taken a job in a Hartlepool cake factory in the off season in his early days in the professional ranks to help finance his golf. “It’s been a grind, but to be here now as the champion is proof I belong.”
Last year Storm finished 112th in the European Tour standings, one spot and just 100 Euros short of regaining his Tour card. He however regained his Tour card for the 12th consecutive year after US star Patrick Reed lost his European Tour privileges for failing to make enough starts at regular events.
Storm played the steadiest golf all week, making just one bogey in the final round and five all week; the other four all coming in the opening round on Thursday.
McIlroy, who pulled in the crowds all week, will rue the errant iron shot he hit at the par 3 17th hole, which landed on a slope in the bunker right