Former Protea tees it up at SA Open

Cricketers love playing golf in their spare time, especially on tours. There are some serious golfers around, such as Shaun Pollock, who are not far off becoming a pro.

But there is one former Protea who has completed the giant leap to the fairways. Bowling all-rounder Johan van der Wath has made the breakthrough, qualifying for this week’s SA Open at Glendower Country Club.

Van der Wath played in 10 one-day internationals and eight T20s, and is probably best known for his role in the famous “438” game for a superb cameo of 35 off just 18 balls (1x4, 3x6) as he dominated a 44-run partnership with Mark Boucher that took South Africa to the brink of victory against Australia in 2006.

But he will be swinging an object of a different kind on Thursday when he lines up at the 10th tee at Glendower, where he will play with Sebastian Heisele and Makhetha Mazibuko at 11.40am.

Van der Wath sneaked through in dramatic fashion in the qualifying round at Irene on Wednesday, signing for a 4-under 68 to finish joint-third with amateur Theunis Bezuidenhout in what was the last spot at that course for the SA Open.

It proved to be a magical birthday present as well, with Van der Wath turning 39 on Wednesday.

Now he is set to have the opportunity to rub shoulders with World No 2 Rory McIlroy, Sir Nick Faldo and Ernie Els over the next few days.

McIlroy, incidentally, has been drawn in a powerful group with defending champion Brandon Stone and George Coetzee, but they have an early tee time of 7.10am from the 10th.

Five-time SA Open champion Els will be on the same hole just 20 minutes earlier, and he will be partnered by Thomas Aiken and Andy Sullivan.