Rookie Jared Harvey shot an unmatched 69 at Royal Johannesburg and Kensington Golf Club on Wednesday, claiming a two-stroke victory at the seventh installment of the Sunshine Big Easy Tour presented by Stonehage.
“I’m feeling very good. I’ve let it all go and it’s finally hit me now that I’ve won the tournament. All of that hard work and preparation – it’s nice to get some reward for the effort you put in – long hours tinkering with the swing. I’m very happy that I got the job done,” he said.
The 23-year-old began the day as one of five leaders, cruised into the sole lead with an eagle at the first and never looked back, finishing at six-under-par and claiming a two-stroke victory over Riekus Nortje.
“That eagle at the first was key to the outcome of my round,” saidHarvey. “There aren’t many gifts out there, and you want to get off to that good start, because there are some tricky holes. It takes that pressure off and settles you straight away, and I always feel comfortable being under the card early.”
And this course, which is home to the Joburg Open, punishes any mistakes. In fact, 175 double bogeys or worse were carded over the two tournament rounds this week. Harvey knew the challenge he faced, yet reached the clubhouse in 69 during both rounds.
“Two 69s at any course you would take, but more so here. It’s such a good test, because there are long holes out there and you have to hit very good shots to be rewarded. I’m very happy with that score because it shows that there was some good golf played,” he said.
It’s tough for the rookies on the Sunshine Tour – they have to qualify for nearly every tournament and must then face the immediate pressure of contending with veterans. Harvey mentioned the benefit of the extra events that the Big Easy Tour offers, and added: “I’m starting to feel a bit more settled on Tour life. I think that’s a very big thing for the rookies – you want that sense of belonging – and that comes with good results. It’s been a slow process up, and now I feel like I belong and I can play and stay, so I’m ecstatic.
“It’s great that they give us this opportunity to keep your game sharp. Social golf is just not the same as that tournament feel and pressure, so these Big Easy events are a nice way to keep the golf going and keep tournament fit.”
SCORES (RSA unless otherwise specified):
138 – Jared Harvey 69 69
140 – Riekus Nortje 71 69
141 – Paul Bradshaw 69 72
143 – Stuart Clark (WAL) 70 73, Graham van der Merwe 69 74
144 – Teboho Sefatsa 74 70, David Ryan 73 71, Callie Swart 72 72, Nathan Waghorn 71 73,AlpheusKelapile 69 75
145 – Ryan Thompson 77 68, Mark Fensham 74 71, Louis Taylor (AMA) 74 71, Michael du Toit 73 72, Beyers Smith 73 72,Jeff Inglis (ENG) 72 73, Mark Williams 71 74
146 – PG van Zyl 75 71, Attie Schwartzel 74 72, Divan Gerber 74 72, Steven Ferreira 73 73, John McClean 72 74, Juan Langeveld 71 75,Toto Thimba (Jnr) 71 75, Pieter Moolman 69 77
147 – Johan de Beer 73 74
148 – Martin du Toit 76 72, Drikus van der Walt 76 72, Thanda Mavundla 74 74, Chris Williams 70 78
149 – Michael Hollick 75 74, Wynand Dingle 75 74, Mohamed Tayob 77 72, Ashley Roestoff 73 76
150 – Hertzog Landman 76 74, Michael Dreyer 76 74, Patrick Spindler 74 76, Gregory Jacobs 77 73, Thomas Lovett 78 72,Clifford Howes 78 72
151 – Shaun Smith (AMA) 76 75, John Bele 76 75, Mikhail Tewary 75 76, Coenie Bester 74 77, Louis Calitz 77 74, Irvin Mazibuko 78 73
