Stoop clinches first victory in four years
IGT Challenge Germiston showcases Stoop’s first-class game.
It was a victory that was a long time coming, and when it did, former Springbok Hendrikus Stoop struggled to put into words what it meant to claim his first victory in four years in a play-off in the IGT Challenge Germiston on Wednesday at the Germiston Golf Club.
“This is massive.
“It wipes away all the blood, sweat and tears of the last three years.
“I can’t explain how happy I am right now,” was all the elated Tshwane golfer could manage.
James Pennington looked on course to claim a wire-to-wire victory at Germiston Golf Club, but Stoop birdied the final hole for a six-under-par 66 to grab a share of the lead on 10-under.
The Swaziland rookie finished with a par and signed for a final round 69, which sent the pair back to the par-three 18th for a sudden-death play-off.
“We halved the 18th in pars the first time around,” explained Stoop.
“On our second trip, James caught the bunker and I left myself about 22 foot above the hole.
“He splashed out to 12 foot below the hole.
“I thought briefly about lagging it close, but then I decided to go for the putt and I holed it.
“I’m elated, absolutely elated.
“The last time I lifted a trophy was my IGT Challenge Tour breakthrough in 2014, the same year I won twice as an amateur in the Eastern Cape.
“It’s been such a long, hard road back and this validates everything I went through.
“It was all worth it.”
Stoop’s victory was built on a fast start of four birdies in his opening five holes, which did a lot to calm the nerves of a golfer who has been pushing hard to come back.
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The back nine was messy with bogeys at 10, 12 and 14, but Stoop rallied after every setback, firing birdies at 11 and 15.
An eagle at the par-five 13th kept him in contention as he parred his way to the final hole, where he saw Pennington’s drive disappear into the trees on 17.
“I holed an 18-footer for birdie at 11, hit a 7-iron with a big draw into 13 and boxed a short putt for eagle and drained a 19-foot birdie putt at 15,” said Stoop.
“James had to punch out and I knew he would battle to up and down for par, which meant a birdie finish could get me into a play-off or I could win it outright.
“Either way, I had to make two at the last hole.
“I hit a 6-iron to 18 foot and boxed the putt.
“I have matured a lot in the last three years and mentally, I am stronger than I’ve ever been in my career.
“Most of it is down to my coach, Patrick O’Brian.
“He held my hand every step as we rebuilt my swing.”
The 27-year-old was a top-10-ranked amateur who represented South Africa abroad, but back injuries continuously impeded his progress.
“I suffered massively with my back, especially after I came back from the GolfRSA National Squad Tour to the United Kingdom,” he explained.
“I went to several coaches, but no one could help me until I met up with Patrick.
“He gave it to me straight.
“He could help me build a new swing, but I needed to invest three years.
“There was no quick fix, and if I didn’t have the staying power, I should give up the game.
“I still thought six months at the max, but I can honestly say that was the toughest experience I’ve ever been through.
“We built a swing from the ankles right up the next and, like he said, it’s taken three years.
“I was really excited when I finished third in an IGT Challenge Tour event early in the year, but I still wasn’t competitive enough to take that swing to Q-School.
“I was gutted when I missed at First Stage, but Patrick just told me to believe.
“He said the swing is good and the win is coming.”
And the win came, despite the fact that Stoop had to use a 3-wood off the tee in the final round.
“The driver broke on the range the night before and I didn’t have a choice, but Patrick was right: I trusted the swing and it carried me to the winner’s circle,” he said.
“I love this game and I live for the fight.
“With the new Big Easy IGT Challenge Tour, I have a chance to get onto the Sunshine Tour.
“I want to make the most of this lifeline, especially after this win.”
Written by Lali Stander on behalf of the IGT Challenge Tour.
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