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.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is massive.<\/p>
\u201cIt wipes away all the blood, sweat and tears of the last three years.<\/p>\n
\u201cI can\u2019t explain how happy I am right now,\u201d was all the elated Tshwane golfer could manage.<\/p>
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe halved the 18th in pars the first time around,\u201d explained Stoop.<\/p>\n
\u201cOn our second trip, James caught the bunker and I left myself about 22 foot above the hole.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe splashed out to 12 foot below the hole.<\/p>\n
\u201cI thought briefly about lagging it close, but then I decided to go for the putt and I holed it.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m elated, absolutely elated.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe 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.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s been such a long, hard road back and this validates everything I went through.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was all worth it.\u201d<\/p>\n
Stoop\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
ALSO READ:<\/span><\/p>\n Climate change threatens future of golf<\/a><\/p>\n Golf set for fresh look with new rules announced for 2019<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n The back nine was messy with bogeys at 10, 12 and 14, but Stoop rallied after every setback, firing birdies at 11 and 15.<\/p>\n An eagle at the par-five 13th kept him in contention as he parred his way to the final hole, where he saw Pennington\u2019s drive disappear into the trees on 17.<\/p>\n \u201cI 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,\u201d said Stoop.<\/p>\n \u201cJames 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.<\/p>\n \u201cEither way, I had to make two at the last hole.<\/p>\n \u201cI hit a 6-iron to 18 foot and boxed the putt.<\/p>\n \u201cI have matured a lot in the last three years and mentally, I am stronger than I\u2019ve ever been in my career.<\/p>\n \u201cMost of it is down to my coach, Patrick O\u2019Brian.<\/p>\n \u201cHe held my hand every step as we rebuilt my swing.\u201d<\/p>\n The 27-year-old was a top-10-ranked amateur who represented South Africa abroad, but back injuries continuously impeded his progress.<\/p>\n \u201cI suffered massively with my back, especially after I came back from the GolfRSA National Squad Tour to the United Kingdom,\u201d he explained.<\/p>\n \u201cI went to several coaches, but no one could help me until I met up with Patrick.<\/p>\n \u201cHe gave it to me straight.<\/p>\n \u201cHe could help me build a new swing, but I needed to invest three years.<\/p>\n \u201cThere was no quick fix, and if I didn\u2019t have the staying power, I should give up the game.<\/p>\n \u201cI still thought six months at the max, but I can honestly say that was the toughest experience I\u2019ve ever been through.<\/p>\n \u201cWe built a swing from the ankles right up the next and, like he said, it\u2019s taken three years.<\/p>\n \u201cI was really excited when I finished third in an IGT Challenge Tour event early in the year, but I still wasn\u2019t competitive enough to take that swing to Q-School.<\/p>\n \u201cI was gutted when I missed at First Stage, but Patrick just told me to believe.<\/p>\n \u201cHe said the swing is good and the win is coming.\u201d<\/p>\n And the win came, despite the fact that Stoop had to use a 3-wood off the tee in the final round.<\/p>\n \u201cThe driver broke on the range the night before and I didn\u2019t have a choice, but Patrick was right: I trusted the swing and it carried me to the winner\u2019s circle,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n \u201cI love this game and I live for the fight.<\/p>\n \u201cWith the new Big Easy IGT Challenge Tour, I have a chance to get onto the Sunshine Tour.<\/p>\n \u201cI want to make the most of this lifeline, especially after this win.\u201d<\/p>\n Written by Lali Stander on behalf of the IGT Challenge Tour.<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Hav<\/strong>e a story?<\/strong><\/p>\n Contact the newsroom by emailing: Melissa Hart (Editor)\u00a0<\/span>germistoncitynews@caxton.co.za <\/a><\/strong>or Leigh Hodgson (News Editor)\u00a0<\/span>leighh@caxton.co.za<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>or Kgotsofalang Mashilo (journalist)\u00a0kgotsofalangm@caxton.co.za<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n Remember to visit the Germiston City News on the following social media platforms:<\/p>\n Facebook<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Twitter<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Instagram<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n YouTube<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Or add the GCN on\u00a0<\/b><\/span>WhatsApp 079 406 1181<\/strong>\u00a0<\/span>or\u00a0BBM (BBM Pin: 7F102137)<\/strong>\u00a0<\/b><\/span>today, to get all the latest news.<\/p>\n Catch-up on more local news with our sister newspapers\u00a0<\/span>Bedfordview Edenvale News<\/a><\/strong>,\u00a0<\/span>Alberton Record<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0and\u00a0<\/span>Kempton Express<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n