Johannesburg - Jaco van Zyl said he’d trade 100 BMWs for the SA Open title after registering a hole-in-one at the par 3 17th hole in the second round of the SA Open at Glendower on Friday morning.
Van Zyl, who’s recorded 16 holes-in-one in his career, said this was first time he’d won anything of significance. “To be fair, I’ve won a Dunhill fountain pen before... there have been a fair share holes-in-one, hit one at Olympics, at Wild Coast, but this is just unbelievable, amazing.”
Van Zyl won a R1.9m BMW i8 after knocking in a 4-iron from 204m. He ended his round having shot a 65, to get right back into contention after only registering a 71 on Thursday.
“I’ll definitely take the trophy at end of week. I’d trade 100 BMWs for the title,” said Van Zyl.
He talked the gathered press through his memorable shot. “It’s one of the toughest holes out there, 204 metres into the breeze and with the hole cut back right. I hit a pure 4 iron high and it looked good. But I’m getting on in age and didn’t see it go in.
One shot. One new car.
The shot that earned @JacoVanZylGolf a brand-new @BMW i8 pic.twitter.com/E9poVuYsJx
— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) January 13, 2017
“I saw the crowd go wild, but had mixed emotions because usually cars are only up for grabs on the weekend. I wasn’t sure if I’d won it and only when I got to the green did I get confirmation.”
Van Zyl birdied the same hole on Thursday in the first round. “It was a little easier yesterday... I only hit a seven iron in. But considering I’ve played the hole twice and only hit three shots on it I’d ike to play it 17 more times,” he said to much laughter.”
His 65 has put him right back into the mix after a first day of missed opportunities. Van Zyl’s desperate to have a good week. “I was four over after four holes yesterday. I was a little nervous, and had a lot of expectations, but to get it back to under par at the end of the day and to now be eight under is very pleasing.”
The USA’s Peter Uilhein followed Van Zyl in with a stunning 64 to share top spot with Graeme Storm, who was still out on the course, with a score of eight under par.
Rory McIlroy and Trevor Fisher Jnr were due out in the afternoon.