Johanneburg – Brazilian Adilson Da Silva sparkled with a final round of 69 to win the Vodacom Origins of Golf tournament at Selbourne, KwaZulu-Natal, by a single stroke on 12 under par.
It was a victory built around a stunning stretch of five birdies in six holes over the turn, where Da Silva was able to finally lay to rest the putting demons that have plagued him for the past few months, and which began tormenting him over the first few holes of the final round.
Doug McGuigan started the day as the sole leader, with Da Silva in a group one behind.
The Brazilian three-putted the par-five first for a tame par, missed short birdie putts on the second and third holes, and then three-putted the fourth for a bogey.
“It was such a bad start, and I was really worried. My putting's been a nightmare. I've been hitting the ball so well, but just couldn't hole putts,” said Da Silva.
“But I just hung in there, and the putts started to drop.”
He made back-to-back birdies on holes six and seven, chipped in for birdie on the ninth, and holed two 25-footers for birdie on holes 10 and 11.
“That's when I started thinking I could win this, especially with a few tough holes coming in.”
With McGuigan wavering slightly on his way in to finish on 11 under with a 71, and Danie van Tonder leaving his charge a bit too late for a 67 and a share of second on 11 under, Da Silva parred the last for victory.
Da Silva also mentioned how he never forgets how lucky as a 16-year-old he was to get out of the town of Santa Cruz de Sol and pursue his dream.
“I was very lucky to come to Africa. My parents would never have had the means to afford it. Now with this win, it feels like I can build up to something good again.” – Sapa