Breakthrough win for Lange
Victor Lange showcased his talent in the 11th Race to Q-School at Germiston Golf Club.
Primrose Hill golfer Victor Lange will take a bucketload of confidence to his upcoming qualifier for the BMW SA Open after bagging his first IGT Challenge Tour victory in the 11th Race to Q-School at Germiston Golf Club on Friday.
The overnight leader closed with a 67 to seal a four-shot victory on 15-under 201.
During his four-year tenure at Louisiana Tech in the United States, Lange accumulated some impressive credentials while almost single-handedly rewriting their record books.
The former Central Gauteng standout graduated in 2016 with a degree in finance and as one of the most – if not the most – accomplished golfer in the school’s history.
The 24-year-old put that remarkable talent on show in Thursday’s second round when he wiped out a four-shot deficit with a flawless nine-under-par 63 to catapult into the lead.
Starting the last round with a one-stroke advantage, Lange kept the chasing pack at bay with birdies at the second, third and fourth holes, although costly mistakes at six and 10 opened the door for a charging Luke Brown.
Just two months ago, Brown went wire-to-wire around the East Rand layout to lift his maiden title in South Africa’s premier golf development circuit in the fourth Race to Q-School event.
On Friday, the Sandton amateur lagged three off the pace at the start of the final round, but pulled within a shot of Lange with an eagle at the par-five second and birdies at the fourth, fifth and eighth holes.
When Lange bogeyed the 10th, Brown took over the driver’s seat.
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“It was only when I got to the par five that I realised that I was trailing Luke,” said Lange.
“I had an eagle at 13 in the second round, so I was gunning for a birdie, but it turned out to be quite an unorthodox four.
“I leaked my tee shot right and was forced to lay up short of the water.
“I edged it on and had an uphill putt left, about 15 foot from the pin.
“When the putt dropped it definitely sparked some momentum,” said Lange.
“I hit my tee shot at the next hole slightly off-line, but I hit a great second and caught the fringe.
“I made the putt, and the holes started looking like buckets.”
The par-three 15th was playing straight into the wind.
Lange’s nine-iron tee shot finished on the fringe again, and he holed the putt to move to 14 under.
“After a solid par at 16, I thought I had a one-shot lead with two to play,” he said.
“The 17th is a tough hole, but I hit a beautiful second in and made the putt.
“I made a text-book par at the finishing hole, and I only realised that Luke had dropped a couple of shots down the last four holes when I stepped off the green.
“I actually have to thank Luke, because he really inspired me to try and go low over the last six holes,” said Lange.
“I worked incredibly hard on some changes last year, and it’s fantastic to see that all come together like this.
“This is almost the most confident I’ve ever been with my game.
“It’s been really fantastic to have this event to prepare for the qualifier, and hopefully it’s good enough to land me a spot in the field at Glendower next week.”
Brown took second on his own with a closing 68, while a 67 secured third on 10-under for Andi Dill.
Pretoria amateur Danielle du Toit – fresh from her victory in the All-India Ladies Amateur – carded rounds of 70, 73 and 71 in her first IGT Challenge Tour appearance to tie for 18 on two under with IGT Challenge Tour winner Thriston Lawrence and Andre van Heerden.
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