Local golfer Keown Botha’s rise to stardom continued when he became the first South African to win the US Kids Venice Open in Italy on August 19.
The seven-year-old Laerskool Northmead learner scored 37 points in rounds one and two and ended with a personal best score of 31 (-5) after boxing a birdie on the first hole to win the ninth edition of the tournament.
Tied in a three-way split with Alexander Heuberger from Switzerland and Latvia’s Matias Lapustas on the last day, Keown won the three-man playoff on the first hole with a 22-foot birdie putt to clinch the boys’ seven and under title. With this, he beat a global field of 25 enthusiastic golfers.
His dad, Nico, was still in disbelief because of Keown’s come-from-behind victory.
“I cannot believe it, especially after being 10 shots behind going into the final day, sitting in sixth position. We never thought he would pull it off,” said Nico.
US Kids Golf South Africa said, “Congratulations to all our US Kids team SA players. They took on some of the world’s best and made us proud. Special congratulations to Keown for becoming the first South African to win at the Venice Open. What an achievement.”
Keown, who finished fourth last year in the same competition, honed his skills at the Serengeti Golf and Wildlife Estate as part of the Wanna Be A Champion Golf and Fitness Academy.
The academy congratulated Keown on an incredible triumph in Italy, defying the competition in his age group.
“He showcased his exceptional skills in three days on the challenging Montecchia, Galzignano, and Frassanelle courses.”
With this victory, Keown moved closer to the US Kids Golf Priority Status.
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