Perfect front 9 hands Scholtz maiden Big Easy title at Modderfontein

Marcel Steyn Scholtz was seven shots off the lead heading into the final round of the Betway Big Easy Tour’s second tournament held at Modderfontein Golf Club, but overturned that deficit in style to claim a three-shot victory for his maiden title.

In a drama-filled final round on the challenging Modderfontein track, it was Scholtz who stole the show. Following opening rounds of 73 and 68, the Highland Gate Golf and Trout Estate player was some way off Keenan Davidse who was 10-under after 36 holes. The 30-year-old Scholtz produced one of the finest front nine performances the Big Easy Tour has ever had; a blemish-free nine-under-par 27.

Eagles on the par-five first and the par-four second holes were followed by four birdies on the trot as Scholtz overtook Davidse after his first six holes. He made two important pars on seven and eight to keep the scorecard clean and then birdied the ninth to turn in 27 and with the lead.

“I was hitting the ball really well on the front nine,” Scholtz said. “I lost a bit of momentum on the back nine but I feel like I kept it nicely together. I kept the ball in play and I gave myself good opportunities and just kept the ball rolling on the greens.”

He followed that birdie up with further gains as he birdied the 10^th to get his total to 13-under-par. With the chasing pack coming in strong and led by young gun, Yurav Premlal, Scholtz knew any mistake could and would be costly. He kept things tight from there on, making eight pars one after the other to see the job done.

“This is my second professional win; the first was a one-day Blue Label event last year, which was nice,” Scholtz said. “But this one is even sweeter. As you know the Big Easy is a way to the Sunshine Tour, so this win is very important. One of my goals this year is to win three Big Easy Tour events and ultimately win the Order of Merit. So, I’m very stoked and thankful for this win.”

While Scholtz’s goal may seem a little lofty to some, the man himself will feel relieved that his first of three targeted wins is already in the bag. And now that he is third on the Order of Merit thanks to his dominant triumph on Thursday, Scholtz will be further motivated to strive for the summit of those rankings.

It is still quite early in the season but a good start has never hurt anybody. The Betway Big Easy Tour is the Sunshine Tour’s developmental circuit and enjoys the support of the legendary Ernie Els among others.