Johannesburg – Dean Burmester fired a final-round 71 to finish on 10-under par to win the Sun City Challenge by one shot at the Lost City Golf Course on Friday.
Haydn Porteous ended a shot behind in solo second on nine-under after a closing 69.
Burmester made clutch putts during the final round, as he notched up the second win of his career with a birdie at the 18th.
“Any time you do what you have to do under pressure is sweet, and it gets sweeter every time. The birdie was fantastic and the rest is history,” said Burmester after his round.
The 25-year-old began the day with a three-shot lead, but by the time he turned at level-par for the round a flying Porteous had caught up to him.
It took solid nerves and the help of caddie Zack Rasego for Burmester to keep pace, but he achieved the feat.
His birdie at the par-five last was the result of a chip off the back of the green that ended less than a foot from the cup.
“On 18 I made probably my best swing of the day and it was nice to do that under pressure. The lie was perfect for that chip and I had a lot of confidence over it,” said Burmester.
The Bloemfontein local broke through with a victory at the 2013
Polokwane Classic and almost exactly a year later picked up the second win of his career.
“The first win can come out of nowhere and it always nice to do it a second time.
“You assure yourself that you’re a winner and hopefully this will kick-start the season and get it going.” – Sapa