Klerksdorp Record, Pilanesberg – The Nedbank Golf Challenge title belongs to an American, but the crowd was rooting for a young South African called Aldrich Potgieter. Johannes Veerman won the event with one stroke after edging out Potgieter in a thrilling finish on Sunday December 8. Veerman closed with a 69 for a total of five under par, and then watched as Potgieter, finishing behind him and tied for the lead on five under, bogeyed the final hole.
Veerman teed off the final round five shots adrift of the leader, Potgieter, who had the full support of the local fans behind him after being granted an invitation into this event.
The 20-year-old South African seemed destined to add his name to the illustrious list of South Africans to have won here and held a one-stroke lead with four holes to play.
But the difficult closing stretch cost him as he bogeyed the par-three 16th to be tied for the lead with Veerman, and then pushed his approach on 18 right off the green and made bogey from there.
Potgieter signed for a 75 and shared second place with Matthew Jordan (72) and Romain Langasque (71) on four under par.
Veerman is the sixth American winner of this iconic tournament.
