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Durban - At the Sun Sibaya Challenge on Friday Michael Hollick could sense that his maiden victory was close, according to the Sunshine Tour website.
He was tied for the lead playing the 18th hole of his home course at Mount Edgecombe Country Club and his caddie, a friend who was on the bag for the first time, told him that every golfer dreams of making a birdie at the last to win. Hollick obliged.
“Everyone on tour thinks about that moment. You never really know if you’ll win as a professional, so it’s quite a relief to actually do it. I hit two perfect shots on the 18th and managed to sink the putt, which just ended a special day at my home club,” he said.
The Durban local grew up in a house behind the first tee at Mount Edgecombe and brought the crowds out to watch as he claimed a one-shot win over Jean Hugo and Zambia’s Madalitso Muthiya.
“I felt pretty calm coming down the stretch and had a lot of support, which really helped,” said Hollick.
“I thought I would be a lot more nervous than I was, but I had my girlfriend, parents, and a whole bunch of mates walking with me and got a few big cheers, which helped me to stay in the moment.”
The shot that defined Hollick’s round was his approach at the 14th, which set him on course for a breakthrough win.
“The 14th is a good, long par-five and your second shot is over water. I had 224 metres slightly into the breeze. My mate phoned me last night and said ‘people don’t remember guys who don’t win, so be aggressive tomorrow and make it happen,’ and that really went through my head and I pulled out my three-wood.
“I was standing over that three-wood, and a lot of things go through your mind, but I got over it and decided that this was my time - I had to make it happen. I hit an unbelievable shot to four feet and made the putt for eagle,” he said.
Serendipity was on Hollick’s side. He had the family watching, his friend on the bag, and was playing at home. It took a gutsy performance, but he remained composed on the stretch.
There was an atmosphere in the air during the final round and it certainly felt like Hollick’s day long before he lifted the trophy.
“Winning at home is a pleasure, you couldn’t ask for anything better. I’ve taken my first professional title on the Sunshine Tour and this will give me a lot of confidence and belief going forward,” he said.
SCORES (RSA unless otherwise specified):
204 - Michael Hollick 67 70 67
205 - Madalitso Muthiya (ZAM) 69 71 65, Jean Hugo 64 71 70
206 - Mark Murless 67 73 66, Erik van Rooyen 66 72 68
207 - Justin Harding 71 69 67, Brandon Stone 69 71 67, Mark Williams (ZIM) 69 70 68, Bryce Easton 69 70 68, Andrew Georgiou (CYP) 69 67 71
208 - JC Ritchie 69 73 66
209 - Allan Versfeld 69 71 69, Drikus Bruyns 69 70 70, Heinrich Bruiners 70 69 70, Maritz Wessels 70 69 70
210 - Daniel Greene 71 70 69, Wallie Coetsee 69 72 69
211 - Zander Lombard 72 71 68, Lean Boezaart 67 75 69, Rourke van der Spuy 69 71 71, Jean-Paul Strydom 72 68 71, Titch Moore 66 73 72
212 - Keenan Davidse 73 71 68, Ulrich van den Berg 68 76 68, Divan van den Heever 69 74 69, Doug McGuigan 68 74 70, Charl Coetzee 69 72 71
213 - Toto Thimba (Jnr) 70 73 70, Bryce Bibby 75 68 70, Steven Ferreira 70 72 71
214 - JJ Senekal 70 73 71, Neil Schietekat 68 75 71, Francois Coetzee 70 71 73
215 - Warren Abery 74 70 71, Grant Muller 68 75 72, Lindani Ndwandwe 72 68 75, Jared Harvey 68 71 76
216 - Trevor Mahoney 73 70 73, Eddie Taylor 71 72 73
217 - Drikus van der Walt 74 70 73, Breyten Meyer 68 74 75
220 - Stuart Smith (BOT) 72 72 76, Alan Michell 72 68 80
