“I FEEL blessed and honoured to have won this trophy,” chuckled American Johannes Veerman.
Veerman won the 2024 Nedbank Golf Challenge held at Sun City, this past weekend.
He edged out mzansi’s Aldrich Potgieter in a thrilling finish on Sunday afternoon.
“It’s surreal. I can now put on my Instagram that I’m the champion of ‘Africa’s Major’ – the fifth Major. This is a world-class event with world-class players here,” said a relieved Veerman who, as has become tradition here, was given a true African celebration as the golf course staff hoisted him and the trophy into the air and sang his praises.
“This week has been amazing. There was a function almost every night and they were great fun. We had fireworks, we had a dinner in the bush. It was amazing. And you didn’t just meet other golfers at the functions but also the community behind this tournament. I’m coming back for sure,” he said.
“I was preparing for a playoff. I really was in the mindset I was going to go back out there and play again. When Aldrich made bogey on 18, I was almost thunderstruck. Aldrich is a world-class player and is going to do amazing things in his career. But the closing stretch of holes is so difficult out here.
I knew if I could just par those I might have a chance,” said the 2024 winner.
Earlier in the week, Veerman played a practice round and arrived on the 18th green in awe of the grandstands.
“I thought, ‘Wow. Are there really going to be that many people here?’ And everybody showed up,” remarked Veerman.
They showed up to see the sixth American winner of this iconic tournament.
He joins the likes of fellow countryman Max Homa, who won it in 2023.
Image supplied (2024 NGC winner Johannes Veerman- middle, sandwiched by legendary Golfer Gary Player and minister of Sport Gayton McKenzie on Sunday afternoon, at Sun City- Gary Player Course).
