Jerling opens his account with maiden Sunshine Tour win at Umhlali
Luke Jerling’s eagle seals breakthrough victory.
Johannesburg’s Luke Jerling grabbed his maiden Sunshine Tour win during the tour’s annual stop at Umhlali Country Club last week.
The 32-year-old played consistently great golf at the SunBet Challenge hosted by Sun Sibaya from Wednesday to Friday, shooting scores of 66, 66 and 68 to finish four shots clear.
It had been a long time coming for the tour regular, who became the second debut winner in three years at UCC after Dylan Naidoo claimed his first Sunshine Tour silverware at the course in 2022.
“After seven years I had my doubts if I could ever get over the line, but what a thrill to finally do it! The support has been overwhelming and doesn’t go unnoticed,” said Jerling on social media.
It was a win he thoroughly deserved after playing the steadiest golf of anyone in the field and never leaving the top-five.
Despite the eventual four-shot cushion appearing comfortable, Jerling was pushed hard in the final round by the in-form Daniel van Tonder who leads the Sunshine Tour’s Order of Merit.
The duo were paired together on Friday, with Jerling teeing off at -10 and Van Tonder two behind at -8.
Photos: Carl Fourie/Sunshine Tour.
Both players turned at -1 for the day, but Van Tonder caught fire at the start of the back nine with birdies on 10 and 13 to draw level at -11 after Jerling bogeyed the 13th.
“In retrospect it was actually good that Danie teed off first on 14 because he hit a really good shot and I had no choice but to be aggressive,” said Jerling.
“It was playing 259m to the front edge and it was straight downwind. But three-wood was too much and I was worried that two-iron wouldn’t cover the water or the bunkers.”
“In the end I threaded a two-iron between the bunkers, it was probably my shot of the day, leaving me with a 12-foot eagle putt, which I made.”
Van Tonder would make birdie, but the momentum had swung in favour of Jerling, who parred all the way home to claim a popular victory.
After tapping in his par putt on the 18th, Jerling was swarmed by fellow tour pros and friends and showered in Castle Lite.
It was no doubt one of the sweetest beers of his life.
Elsewhere in the field, Mount Edgecombe’s Astin Arthur played fantastic golf to finish as the top amateur in tied fourth position at -7.
Photo: Carl Fourie/Sunshine Tour.
Find the full leaderboard at sunshinetour.com.
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