Vorster breaks through with playoff victory at Reading Country Club

Leon Vorster made par on the first hole of sudden death against Keegan McLachlan to claim his maiden Sunshine Tour win in the Blue Label Development Tour’s one-day event that was played at Reading Country Club on Tuesday.

Both players finished on five-under 66 in regulation thereby necessitating a playoff to decide the winner of this second event in this series. McLachlan was first in the clubhouse after his round of 66 and looked set for another victory in Alberton following his win in the Altron Big Easy Tour here last season. It was not to be.

While his eventful round of 66 – five birdies and two bogeys – looked good enough to hand him a straight win here, Vorster popped up with a 66 of his own to force a playoff. Vorster’s round consisted of six birdies and a solitary drop.

“I started very well on the front nine with no mistakes, really,” said an elated Vorster. “I missed a few short putts but I wasn’t too bothered because I knew I was playing good golf. On the back nine, I tried to keep calm and give myself good chances and apart from that one bogey, I think I did that very well.

“It was important that I didn’t miss the fairways and greens because you can score well here if you keep it in play. And the greens are very fast this week, so it becomes tough to up-and-down if you miss the greens. But I am happy with how I played and I’m proud of myself because I’ve put in so much hard work into my game the last few months and to see the results starting to show, is a positive sign.”

The Vryburg Golf Club member will take a lot of confidence from his showing here and with another Blue Label Development Tour event coming up in just two days, Vorster will fancy his chances.

“A win like this, via a playoff, definitely gives you confidence, he said, “because it’s not easy out here. Keegan is a solid player and to win against such players is special. It’s a special feeling to win your first tournament and I want to thank Blue Label and the Sunshine Tour for giving us these opportunities to play regularly.”

The third tournament in the series will be played at Services Golf Club on Thursday.