Deon Germishuys has given everything on a journey that led to him winning his maiden Sunshine Tour title in the Sishen Classic at the Sishen Golf and Country Club on May 30. And this week, he even sacrificed his car.
The 23-year-old was in a class of his own in Sunday’s final round as he produced some of the finest ball-striking under pressure to close with a 64 and win by six shots on 17 under par. Louis de Jager took second place on 11 under with a final round of 67.
The victory by Germishuys makes it a hat-trick of first-time winners on the Sunshine Tour in the first three tournaments of the new season after the victories of Herman Loubser and Albert Venter.
“It’s an emotional first win for me because I’ve worked so hard for everyone who has supported me. I’m glad that I got it over the line,” said Germishuys, who had to break his car window on the Saturday morning of this tournament to get his clubs out after losing his car keys.
“I lost my car keys on Friday, so on Saturday morning, I had to break my car window to get my clubs. I’m leaving my car here and driving back with a friend because I’m flying to Prague on Monday evening for a tournament. My fiancé will collect my car for me,” said Germishuys.
The young star who has come close to breaking through on the Sunshine Tour on several occasions used those experiences in the final round.
“I had nothing to lose. I’ve been in contention a couple of times and I kind of knew what to do. I thought if I could only go three-under or four-under I would be happy. And I managed to go eight-under. When I could attack the flags I did so, and when I had to go for the middle of the green I did that too, and luckily I holed a couple of big putts.”
The biggest of those was a monstrous 75-footer on the 16th green for birdie.
“I don’t think I’ve hit the ball as well as I have under this kind of pressure. We pitched the ball on every single spot on the green where my caddie Rasta and I wanted to.”
Apart from a unique iron ore trophy from Anglo American and Kumba Iron Ore, Germishuys also won his weight in braai meat from one of the local sponsors, Best Food Forever. Asked during the prize-giving presentation how much he weighs, Germishuys said, “If it’s for the braai meat, then I weigh 200kg.”
