Update

KNYSNA NEWS - It was a superior level of consistency over his competition that helped power Neil Schietekat to victory in the Vodacom Origins of Golf final at Pezula on Sunday 5 November.

Finishing on -15 after his final round, Schietekat earned a two-stroke victory over Jacques P de Villiers.

Coming into last week's tournament Schietekat had battled injury for a few weeks, which would have consistently casted shadows of doubt on his chances to triumph at the Origins of Golf final. However Schietekat, who has been on the tour for 16 years, drew on every ounce of experience he has in his bag when the time came in the final round.

He closed his week with a five-under-par, bogey-free round of 67. Schietekat garnered momentum immediately, carding three birdies on the front nine before adding a further two on the back nine. 

Third round leader Jacques P de Villiers suffered contrasting fortunes on the front nine, going one over par to relinquish the lead before fighting back with three birdies on the back nine to round off his week on -13. But it wasn't enough to beat Schietekat, who had pulled too far ahead.

Hennie O'Kennedy emerged in third place at the end of the week courtesy of a three-under final round that saw him finish on -10. Tara Griebenow was the top Sunshine Ladies Tour professional in the field after finishing five over par courtesy of a final round 75.

Times have been tough of late for Schietekat, having to nurse an injury despite still playing in Asia at a crucial time in the season. All's well that ends well though, as he earned both his second win of the season and his second Vodacom Origins of Golf win since he arrived on the Sunshine Tour in 2007.

“It was a good week and I really want to thank my caddie for sticking with me through this injury and when the golf has struggled. But this brings us both a smile,” said Schietekat, who also won the prize of a six-night Christmas cruise courtesy of MSC Cruises South Africa.

Schietekat came close to adding his name to the illustrious Origins of Golf winners list when he finished second in 2008 and again in 2013. He ultimately broke his duck in 2018 by winning the Western Cape leg of the series.

“This one is definitely a sweet win for me. Vodacom has been part of the Sunshine Tour ever since I started out in 2007. They’ve been a great supporter of the Tour. Without them we wouldn’t have had the playing opportunities we do in the winter. Pezula was also just amazing this week.”

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