Van der Klis claims dramatic win for maiden Big Easy title

Ryan van der Klis shot a final-round 66 to total 12-under and claimed a dramatic come-from-behind victory in the 10th Betway Big Easy Tour event held at Observatory Golf Club.

The 24-year-old Van der Klis turned pro four months after graduating from Augusta University in July. Having had four top-10 finishes in his first five starts on this Sunshine Tour feeder circuit, Van der Klis got his breakthrough win in his sixth start, a testimony to his ability and very high work rate.

Van der Klis was two shots off the pace coming into the final round. His par-eagle-bogey start was decent enough to keep him within reach of the leaders, including Musiwalo Nethunzwi, veteran Ulrich van den Berg and Andrew Williamson.

Birdies on the fifth and seventh holes eased Van der Klis’ nerves as he turned in 34. Coming home, a bogey on 12 threatened to derail his progress but Van der Klis bounced back expertly; birdieing four of his last six holes to get to 12-under for a one-stroke victory.

“I’m truly ecstatic,” said Van der Klis after his dramatic win. “A lot of credit has to go to my coaches out at Augusta for getting me ready to compete at such a high level and against these really good professionals out here. It was nice.

“I wasn’t expecting to turn professional so early but the Betway Big Easy Tour has given me that opportunity to pursue that dream quite early and I had four top10s in the last five events and it’s nice to get the win on my sixth start.

“It’s nice to show up on the green and think ‘I belong here and I can do it’. So, to actually just prove it again with a win is satisfying and I’m incredibly happy to get the win here today.”

This was the final event of the regular season before The Playoff and The Finals where only the top 50 (playoff) and top 30 (final) players on the Order of Merit, will compete to conclude the season. Van der Klis’ triumph catapulted him to seventh on the Order of Merit, guaranteeing a spot in the abovementioned events.

From there, only the top 12 players on the final points standings will earn their Sunshine Tour cards for next season.