With reporting from Sunshine Tour
It was so near yet so far for Ruan Conradie on Sunday in the SDC Open at Zebula Golf Estate and Spa as he lost in an agonisingly tight play-off to Frenchman Clement Sordet after the pair finished in a share of the lead on 21-under-par after regulation play.
Conradie missed a testing birdie putt to win in regulation on the par-five 18th after he had nailed some great pressure putts for both par and birdie during the final round, and then a pulled lay-up in the play-off left him with a difficult chip to a tucked pin. He flew the green, but a good lie gave him a chance to chip in for birdie while Sordet had a long snaking putt for eagle. Conradie’s attempt lipped out, and Sordet’s return 10-footer for birdie dropped for the win.
Overnight leader Deon Germishuys held the lead over the turn and then relinquished it. England’s Marco Penge also had a share of the lead at one point. Conradie then had his turn to take control of the tournament. And Sordet hit the front before both he and Conradie were the last two left standing after 72 holes.
Playing the par-five 18th in the play-off, Sordet had exactly the same putt which he missed to win the title in regulation play, and this time made no mistake.
“It is really special. The past few years have been tough and it’s really nice to get a win here in South Africa,” said Sordet, who claimed his fifth Challenge Tour victory and his first win on the Sunshine Tour with this title.
“I felt pretty good for the play-off. I was playing well all day. I hit a good drive and had a chance to go for the green. Ruan laid up and I hit a three-iron onto the green, and two-putted for the win. It was exactly the same putt which I missed in regulation play, so I knew the line.”
Sordet enjoyed the full African bushveld experience as he posed with his trophy against the backdrop of the local Zebula elephants on the 18th fairway.
“I’ve spent four weeks in different parts of South Africa. I love it. The wildlife is amazing,” he said.
Germishuys finished third on 20-under-par after a poor tee-shot on the par-three 17th saw him make a bogey there.
