Fuente: © Southern Africa Tour
http://www.sunshinetour.com/

SOUTHERN AFRICA TOUR: No Catch 22 for Van der Walt at the Limpopo Classic

/noticias.info/ Tjaart van der Walt boxed himself out of a prime seat for the Springbok rugby test at the Millenium Stadium in Wales when he finished one stroke behind the leaders in the second round of the Limpopo Classic.

Van der Walt, back in South Africa after a great season on the PGA Tour, scorched the Polokwane Golf course with a bogey-free round, collecting nine unanswered birdies to set an unofficial course record nine-under-par and a share of third on the midway leaderboard.

“I was so positive that I wouldn’t make the cut after that disappointing 71 yesterday, that I phoned my wife, Phillipa in London last night and told her that I booked my ticket to Wales for the Boks match on Saturday.”

“This afternoon I had to tell her that I played myself into such a coma, before I knew it I shot 62 and was lying second. I guess she’ll have to support the Boks on her own and I will kick back here in the clubhouse with the rest of the guys.

”As much as I would have liked to be with her, nothing beats this, though.”

Having taken up the game at age 14, Van der Walt quickly climbed the ranks and, after school, left for the US to play college golf in Alabama. He joined the pro circuit in 1995 and cut his teeth on the Sunshine and Nationwide Tours.

But more than 20 top-10 finishes later, the Pretoria professional still hasn’t sealed the deal. And, although he has come excruciatingly close on so many occasions, he still believes wholeheartedly that it’s just a matter of time before he bags his maiden title.

In 2003 Van der Walt earned his PGA Tour card at the Qualifying School, but after only a few starts, had to leave the circuit after suffering a wrist injury. Surgery followed and after months of recouperation, he was ready to re-join the pros for the 2004-2005 Sunshine Tour summer swing.

He finished in 20th position on the final Sunshine Tour Order of Merit in February and returned to the USA, armed with a Major Medical Exemption for the 2005 season.

After a rather offbeat season, the 29-year old shot to fame when he forced he threw down the gauntlet with a brilliant birdie-birdie finish to force a two-man playoff with Brad Faxon in the PGA Tour’s Buick Championship.

Known as a man of few words, Van der Walt summed up his defeat in the Buick Championship with a simple “I got beat.”

But those three words give nothing away about Van der Walt’s journey to hole 73.

It was the fashion in which he made that trip that paid homage to his grit, determination and the passion that served him well again today.

“I have matured in every level of my game; from course management to the technical side of things; from physical form to the mental aspects – I feel confident in my game and that shows these days when I get on the course.”

“On Thursday I was tired, shaking off the dregs of jetlag, but this morning I got onto the first tee in the right state of mind.

“I got off to a sizzling start with three birdies on the trot and that set the tone for the whole day. Where I was finding trouble on almost every hole yesterday, it all just flowed for me today. Whenever I got into the rough, it was a playable lie and my putting was on song.”

Van der Walt’s unofficial 62 (due to placing) is the lowest round of his career and probably the momentum kicker that he needs most ahead of the grueling final stage of PGA Tour Qualifying School in December.

Although he has secured several starts on the PGA Tour courtesy of his 135th ranking on the final PGA Tour Money list, the tenacious competitor is going one better to get his card the hard way - the best way he knows how.

But, finally, it does seem that Van der Walt has lain to rest all the haunting ghosts to get on with what he loves most. notas_de_prensa_archivo