NEW NO 1 HEADS FOR US PGA
RYAN VAN VELZEN, JUST 22, was the standout player on the 2023-24 Sun- shine Tour which ended with the Tour Championship at Serengeti in April. The Benoni Country Club member won the Order of Merit by a handsome margin, which has secured him a card on the DP World Tour, exemptions into the US PGA Championship starting on May 16, and The Open in July, plus the Nedbank Challenge. Although he won just the one title this season, the Mediclinic Invitational at Maccauvlei on 25-under, Van Velzen, son of a club pro, was a runner-up three times, including the SA Open
at Blair Atholl, and had another three third-place finishes. He earned R5.7 million, including a R500 000 bonus from The Courier Guy, sponsors of the Order of Merit, had a stroke average of 69.29, and made more birdies (384) than anyone else.
Last 10 Order of Merit winners 2023 Ockie Strydom 2022 Shaun Norris 2020 J C Ritchie 2019 Zander Lombard 2018 George Coetzee 2017 Brandon Stone 2015 George Coetzee 2014 Danie van Tonder 2013 Dawie van der Walt 2012 Branden Grace
YOUNG CHAMPIONS
Jonathan Broomhead, 23, from Durban Country Club, climaxed a steady rookie season with a maiden victory in the season-ending Tour Championship at Serengeti, leaping to No 7 in the Order of Merit.
Deon Germishuys, 24, from Serengeti, had his second Sunshine Tour victory in the Limpopo Championship. Both his successes have come over 72 holes at bushveld courses, Sishen and Euphoria.
GOLF DIGEST SOUTH AFRICA 95
MAY 2024
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