Hill Creates History Becoming First Scot To Win Joburg Open

8 months ago by Comments Off on Hill Creates History Becoming First Scot To Win Joburg Open

Calum Hill brilliantly carved out a slice of history in becoming the first Scot to capture the Joburg Open.

Hill, 30, was left somewhat shocked in producing a virtual tap-in regulation par at the second extra play-off hole denying the South African duo of Shaun Norris and Jacques Kruyswizk victory on the host Houghton course in the South African capital.

It is Hill’s second victory in his 112th Tour event, and coming 49 tournaments since his last at the 2021 Cazoo Championship on the Hillside course near Southport in England.

Hill’s win, and in what he said is a first career play-off, also comes after having missed the halfway cut in his past three Tour events.

Hill said: “It’s awesome. A little bit surprised there, I thought we were having to go again (to another play-off hole).

“I was quite far back at the start of the final round, and then played a great round of golf where a lot of putts went in.

“And then (the lightning) is ridiculous so I don’t know what was going to happen but yeah, I’m a bit shocked, but delighted to come out with the trophy.

“It was a fantastic day and this is the cherry on top”.

Hill went into the final round at six-under-par and eight shots adrift of Norris, and with the Scot producing 10 birdies but also two bogeys to storm his way into the clubhouse lead thanks to a stunning 62 and a 14-under tally on a course played for a fourth day under a one-club length preferred lie rule on the fairways.

Hill was then observed ‘chilling out’ in the clubhouse in the company of his wife, Miranda and friends for about 30 minutes before making his way to the practice range just there was a play-off, and ‘yes’ there would be a play-off and only for a second occasion since the inaugural event in 2007.

He was joined firstly on 14-under by Kruyswick with a 66 and followed by Norris, who led going into day four but began horribly with back-to-back bogeys while he then doubled the 12th before his overwhelming joy in birdieing the last in a 70 to make the play-off.

All three pared the first extra hole, the par-4 18th so it was back to the 18th for the a second extra hole from where Hill and Kruyswijk were safely on the fairway though Norris had found a fairway bunker.

Then in playing his second shot Norris’ right foot horribly slipped and with his ball finding water guarding the green from he walked off with an eventual double-bogey ‘6’.

Hill then putted from just off the back of the green, leaving his birdie putt some six inches short only for Kruyswijk, and winner of last fortnight’s Magical Kenya Open, to shock the pro-South African crowd also two-putting for a bogey ‘5’.

Brilliant …. Among the first to congratulate new Joburg Open champ Calum Hill was fellow Connor Syme, who finished in a share of ninth place. (Image – Sunshine Tour)

With skies quickly darkening and the Tour’s Chief Referee ready to halt play, Hill then walked-up to calmly roll-in his par-winning putt.

Hill said: “Getting the birdie on the 18th was the only way I was going to have a chance. I got lucky with the bounce up the slope and made a nice five-footer and then it gave me a chance to have a go in this play-off.

“You never know how a play-off is going to go. I think that might be my first play-off ever so it’s nice to have a 1-0 record on that.”

Among the first to congratulate Hill was fellow Scot Connor Syme who had posted a closing 68 to share ninth place at nine-under.

Syme, who was out in the last group on day three, doing his best with a bottle of water to help create a champagne shower for yet another compatriot as he himself continues the wait for his own maiden Tour triumph.

The DP World Tour now has a fortnight’s break ahead of the March 20th commencing Porsche Singapore Open.



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