Strydom is focused for Sanlam Amateur SA’s

The number-one ranked amateur in South Africa and Randburg resident Tristen Strydom is full of confidence ahead of next week’s Sanlam SA Amateur Championships that will take place at Silver Lakes Country Club after he sharpened his skills alongside professionals in the Joburg Open.

“The Open has been a great experience for me and has been really good in terms of keeping me sharp for the Sanlam SA Amateur Championship,” Strydom said.

He added that playing in the Joburg Open as an amateur has been unbelievable.

Strydom expalined that both golf courses at Royal Johannesburg and Kensington are in great condition and he has learned so much from the professionals.

“In my first round, I played with two professionals who shot 66 and 65, so it was a good experience to see how they managed their games.”

Managing the pressure to perform well in this prestigious amateur tournament in South Africa will also be a challenge for Strydom.

He came into the Joburg Open on the back of representing South Africa in their test defeat against Scotland, and feels he learned a valuable lesson there.

“I didn’t have a great test against Scotland because I think I put too much pressure on myself to perform better there. But playing in the Joburg Open has made me feel like I’m back in form going into the Sanlam SA Amateur. I’m really swinging well again.”

He wants to add the Sanlam SA Amateur to his already impressive list of victories, and it would be a natural progression for him after ending his junior career last year with a victory in the Glacier Junior Series National Final.

Strydom said the Sanlam SA Amateur Championship is a dream tournament for every amateur in South Africa.

“I’m really looking forward to this year. I want to improve my world ranking. So, I’m playing the big amateur tournaments overseas such as the Amateur Championship and the Lytham Trophy. As for the future, who knows? I’m still only 18 so I feel I’ve got time to make those decisions.”