Cape Crusader
Ewen dazzles in South Africa to land third place
EWEN FERGUSON now has his game pointed where he wants – securing a best finish in six months and in the toughest week of the year at sDC Championship in south Africa.
Ferguson, 27, posted back-to-back closing rounds of 68 for a 10-under tally, grabbing a five-way share of third at the inaugural co-sanctioned event at St Francis Links in the Eastern Cape.
Southport’s Matthew Baldwin celebrated his 200th Tour event storming his way to maiden Tour success by seven shots thanks to a closing 68 for 18 under.
Baldwin’s SDC success now sees him exempt to the end of 2025 on both the DP World and Sunshine Tours.
Ferguson’s effort is his best this year after a T28th in last month’s Hero Dubai Desert Classic and the Scot’s first top three since last September when he was runner-up in the Made In Himmerland, a month after his second Tour win in Northern Ireland.
The Bearsden golfer has done so in a week where winds tested the patience of all.
Ferguson said: “I’m pleased as it’s been one of the most difficult weeks of the year. It was nice to finish with a share of third.
“I played really nicely considering I was plus three after 15 holes on Thursday and then managed to birdie the last three to shoot level. So that confirmed my game wasn’t all that bad.” If anything was helpful during the delays, it was staying on site with good friend and constant travelling companion Connor Syme, along with their two caddies in renting one of St Francis Links lodges.
Ferguson said: “Staying on site helped so much. It’s a beautiful place to be and renting a house with Connor and our caddies was a great laugh.
“And it helped during the delays in play, as we could go back to the house and chill out or have chipping competitions in the living room!
“I’m looking forward now to heading up to Joburg and continuing this form.”
Syme also grabbed his best new season finish in seven events, posting a closing 69 to share 14th at seven under.
He’ll join Ferguson along with Callum Hill and David Law, who each missed the SDC cut, in travelling to Joburg for Thursday’s Jonsson Workwear Open at Steyn City.
Meanwhile, David Drysdale has made his way finally onto the Asian Tour money list, going straight to a share of 104th after his top-25 finish at the DGH Open in New Delhi.
Drysdale, in his second event in this new career step, shot 74 for a one-under tally and a tie on 24th in the event won by Filipino Miguel Tabuena by a shot at 12 under.