Jacques van der Merwe claimed his second Betway Big Easy Tour title in as many starts when he claimed a come-from-behind win on Thursday in the sixth event of the season held at Reading Country Club.

Van der Merwe, who plays out of Royal Johannesburg Golf Club, entered the final round five shots off the pace set by Mark Maart, a member of the Papwa Sewgolum Class.

But as Maart laboured to a final round of 71, Van der Merwe was making strides, and his near-perfect six-under-par 65 would prove enough to earn him a one-shot victory and a place among the few who have been able to claim back-to-back wins on this circuit in recent times.

Van der Merwe’s round featured an eagle, five birdies and a solitary drop.

“It was tough, but it was fun,” he remarked. “I knew I had to go low today. My dad told me this morning that seven should be good, and I said the putter is not that hot this week. But I managed to make a few putts, and here I am standing with the trophy.

“Going back-to-back on the Big Easy is unbelievable. I’m still in shock. I didn’t think that it was possible for me. But I learned that I should never limit myself. After this week, I know that my capabilities are way more than what I used to believe.”

With two wins already this season and a favourable position on the Order of Merit standings (ranked second after this week), Van der Merwe practically has one hand on his 2026 Sunshine Tour card.

“I didn’t even know that,” he said of his position on the rankings. “But my job is not done. There are a lot of tournaments to come, but hopefully, just as many wins to come. I must keep working hard, see my coach, spend some time with my sports psychologist, and try to work through everything that’s happened. I think it’s important for me to get back to my routines and processes. But the job is not done.”

While Maart fought hard to claim his breakthrough win, he eventually settled for a share of second alongside Daniel Cronje and Kian Rose, who was making his Betway Big Easy Tour debut at Reading.