“BACK-to-back – I’ve never done that before,” says Dean Burmester, who won the Investec South African Open Championship on Sunday.
He won by three strokes at the Blair Atholl Golf & Equestrian Estate, to claim back-to-back titles on the Sunshine Tour and DP World Tour.
Last weekend he bagged the Joburg Open, adding his name to the greats of South African golf with a winning total of 11 under par, this weekend.
“On the first tee on Saturday I said to my caddie we’re either shooting 65 or 85 today, but we’re going for it. Then I was just so calm on Sunday. I felt no nerves. I’m very grateful. This is a tournament I watched growing up and I watched legends like Ernie (Els), Retief (Goosen), Louis (Oosthuizen) and Branden (Grace) win this.”
“To win this championship sponsored by a bank that gave me my first break is very special. It’s very emotional for me. I wanted to win this for the late Sam Hackner of Investec. I was waiting tables to make enough money to play tournaments. I’d go and practice in the morning and be tired because I only got home at 11pm from work. With Investec’s sponsorship, Sam gave me the opportunity to go and fulfil my dream. Six months later I won my first tournament and the rest is history.”
“It’s been so much fun this week. The golf course was a great test and the professionals I played with were so good to me. Playing here as the number one amateur and to have the fans and my whole family out here and my fiancé caddying for me as well, has been awesome.
To add my name to the Freddie Tait Cup means a lot to me, especially being in the Ernie Els and Fancourt Foundation as well and to do it for them and Ernie and my family. It’s a huge honour for me,” said the 27-year-old.
Burmester, who was close to withdrawing from this tournament with a stomach bug on Friday, set the stage for his victory with a magnificent 65 in the third round. He took that same energy into Sunday’s final round and showed his experience in a tense final round when he birdied two of his final three holes to pull clear of the pack.
Image (Back to back winner Dean Burmester, this weekend won the Investec SA Open).
