Nel achieves victory at CMR Challenge

South African golf amateur Eric Nel was shell-shocked after he sealed a maiden IGT Tour victory in the CMR Challenge last week Thursday (5 May).

The event was held at CMR Golf Club in Maraisburg where more than 60 young professional and amateur golfers from countries such as Zimbabwe, Belgium, England and Madagascar competed.

The 18-year-old opened with a 67 to lead the first round, but lost the advantage to Justin Turner after carding a 70 in round two.

He began the final 18 one off the pace in a tie for second with Sunshine Tour professional Matthew Spacey.

“I was five under with three to play, but after the bogey at 17 I felt like I was fighting for survival. Then I dropped 18, as well and I still won by two shots. Matt shot 67 in the second round and he started with a birdie, while I made par and Justin dropped. But then he had back-to-back bogeys. I told myself to stop worrying about him and to focus on my own game and I birdied five, seven and nine to turn in 10 under,” he said.

Nel has played various IGT Tour events in the last two years but this year he’s played every tournament.

This has allowed him to learn to compete regularly against professional players.

“It feels pretty awesome to get one over on my buddy Ross Sinclair. We have both been at GFG Academy for some years and he always outperformed me on the amateur circuit. He has been playing the IGT Tour for a few years, so it feels pretty good to get to the winner’s circle before him,” he said.

Spacey’s eagle at 18 for a 72 handed the Dainfern golfer sole second place on 209, while England’s David Ashley closed with a 70 to finish a further stroke adrift in third position.

Justin Turner’s 75 netter the Western Province golfer a share of fourth on 211 with Clinton Grobbler (69) and Damian Naicker (73).

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