Jacques van der Merwe entered the Betway Big Easy Tour winner’s circle in emphatic fashion as he raced to a two-stroke victory over England’s Joe Sullivan at CMR Golf Club on Thursday.

Van der Merwe brought a three-stroke lead into the final round after shooting an impressive 63 in round two to take his tournament total to 12-under. Coming into the final round, the Royal Johannesburg and Kensington Golf Club player knew the challenges that stood before him. The course was especially tough on Thursday, and it showed during the final round.

Van der Merwe’s round of three-under 67 – which consisted of seven birdies and two double-bogeys – took his total to 15-under and two clear of Sullivan, who was just as impressive in very cold conditions in Roodepoort. Unfortunately for Sullivan, his effort was not enough to earn him his second win this season.

“I’d been in this situation (in contention) a few times before,” noted Van der Merwe after his win. “And I’ve always struggled. But last night and this morning, I just prayed, and when I got here this morning, I just told myself to stick to the processes that have led me here, telling myself that ‘you’re good enough and you can do this’. I believed that I was the best golfer on this golf course today, and it showed in the end.

“I just went back to basics, and I think that’s the most important thing to do. I focused so well on the small stuff that it worked out so well for me.”

Van der Merwe admitted, however, that despite it looking like it was an easy win, he was as nervous as they came as he stood over his birdie putt on the last hole.

“I was shaking,” he said. “I didn’t really make it easy for myself. But when that ball went in, it was just a massive sigh of relief. My first professional win, and on the Big Easy Tour, it’s just insane. I couldn’t imagine something better than that.”

With his win, Van der Merwe moves to fifth on the Order of Merit. The top 12 players on those rankings will earn their Sunshine Tour cards at the end of the campaign.