Africa Amateur Championship goes to playoff with The Open berth on the line

The first African Amateur Championship came to a thrilling conclusion as three young South Africans competed in a heated battle at Leopard Creek Country Club, designed by Gary Player.

But the playoffs were hardly needed.

Altin van der Merwe faced a 10-foot eagle on the par-5 18th at the end of regulation. If he can do that, he will win the title and earn a spot at Royal Troon for the British Open Championship.

The 27-year-old South African was confident in his line but couldn’t hit the ball hard enough and just missed the hole. He won the birdie and entered a sudden-death playoff against Christian Maas and Ivan Foerster.

The South African trio finished the 72-hole stroke play event on 13 under par.

“I thought it was over,” van der Merwe said of Tuesday’s failure.

“I’ve hit that putt so many times that I knew it was a little off to the right and on the right edge. At the last moment, I thought, ‘Don’t hit it more than 3 feet.’ I thought about it, but in the end I hit it too soft and ended up breaking it a little. If I had just hit it, it would have gone in. ”

The three South African players then returned to the 18th tee and a sudden-death playoff began.

Van der Merwe again hit the par 5 in two and took the birdie with two putts.

Foerster missed his chance by hitting his second shot from the fairway over the green and into the water. He held a one-point lead over Mars after 54 holes, but was unable to finish the job.

“I’m feeling pretty heartbroken right now,” Verster said afterward. “I played incredible golf the first three rounds, so I’m really happy with my performance.”

Meanwhile, Mars made a layup in front of the 18th green, which was completely surrounded by water. He hit his third shot a few feet short of the pin, setting up a great birdie opportunity.

But like Van der Merwe in regulation, his birdie putt slipped through on the low side. If they had a little more pace, they would have dropped in the standings and the playoffs would have been extended.

Sadly, this mistake made Van der Welde the winner. As well as a trip to Royal Troon, he also qualified for the Amateur Championship and two other professional events in South Africa.

“It’s an incredible feeling,” van der Merwe said after the win.

Photo credit: Octavio Passos/R&A, Getty Images

“I think it will pay off later.”

He had to wait a long time for such an opportunity, but his patience and persistence paid off.

“I’ve wanted to turn professional for, say, eight years since I left school. I tried right after school, but I was one shot short,” van der Merwe said.

“I went to study, and when I came back, my golf was better, and everything was better. I don’t know why or how, but it means everything to me.”

Now he will be visiting the west coast of Scotland this summer, where Royal Troon awaits him.

“Honestly, I can’t wait. It’s also links golf, so I’m just going to nibble on the 2-iron all day and lick the chops,” van der Merwe added.

“I can’t wait until that time comes.”

Jack Mirko is a golf staff writer for SB Nation’s Playing Through.Be sure to check it out @_PlayingThrough Cover more golf. You can follow him on Twitter @jack_milko In the same way.