Winning the R2-million Tour Championship at Leopard Creek Country Club on Sunday will change Nicholas Lawrence's life.
Just over four months ago he was still an amateur without a title to his name, and on October 29 last year he celebrated his 21st birthday.
In a game where experience counts for so much, this young Parow professional is well ahead of his time. That became obvious on Sunday when he played magnificent golf on a course where potential double-bogeys lurk at every turn.
Rounds of 68, 68, 67 and 71 saw him post a four-round 14-under-par total of 274, with SA Open champion Tim Clark and American Bruce Vaughan joint second on 275.
Not only does the win speak volumes for Lawrence's skill and ability to handle pressure, but it is a lucrative breakthrough for a young man who has never had much money.
Victory on Sunday was worth R317 000 to him, but the bonus is that it gets him into the World Golf Championship/ NEC Invitational at Sahalee Country Club in Washington from August 22-25. Last place there is worth $25 000 (about R250 000).
"Is Tiger Woods playing?" asked a breathless and almost speechless Lawrence on Sunday night.
Yes, Tiger will be there, and he's the defending champion.
"Wow, that's fantastic. Me and Tiger in the same tournament. I've never been to America but I'm sure I can beat a couple of people out there," was his response.
Lawrence's win was made easier when Clark double bogeyed the par-four 17th and then three-putted the treacherous par-five 18th to card a disappointing par after hitting the island green with two big shots.
Vaughan also had a chance to tie Lawrence but his 12-footer for birdie at the last just slipped by the cup.
"My condolences to Tim," said Lawrence. "I thought he had this tournament won and he tried his best. But it was my lucky day. Of course I tried my damndest too, although I was terribly nervous on the first tee and bogeyed the opening hole."
A 35-footer for a birdie three at No 3 seemed to settle the young Capetonian and he hung in gamely all the way round.
Clark looked in control until the 17th, and Lawrence had his share of luck at the par-four 14th, where his approach landed in the water hazard that fronts the green, only for his ball to bounce back on to the fairway. From there, he chipped and putted to save par.
Lawrence's heady triumph in this event, which brought the 2001/2002 Sunshine Tour to a close, earned him Rookie of the Year honours as well as a five-year exemption on tour.
Clark's R184 100 for joint second place saw him comfortably top the Order of Merit with R1 669 900 - not bad going for the 26 year old from Umkomaas who missed much of last year on the US PGA Tour because of a wrist injury.
Nic Henning, after a 68, and Andrew McLardy, who closed with a 69, were joint fourth yesterday on 276, followed by Hennie Otto on 282.
England's Justin Rose, a two-time winner on this summer's Sunshine Tour, finished 23rd on 289 and filled the No 2 spot on the final moneylist with R1 476 005. Lawrence occupied seventh place with R416 055 in earnings.