Jaco Prinsloo held his nerve to claim a wire-to-wire victory in the Sunshine Tour’s FNB eSwatini Nkonyeni Challenge, signing for a final round 69 for a tournament total of 12-under-par and three clear of veteran Jean Hugo in Kholwane.
Prinsloo was two shots clear of the chasing pack when he entered the final round, having played solid golf over 36 holes to lead in this R1 million tournament. The 32-year-old Prinsloo who plays out of Serengeti Golf and Wildlife Estate knew he’d have to fight hard if he was to become the first winner of this new event on the Sunshine Tour schedule in eSwatini.
“It’s been a while since we can here and I’ve always enjoyed eSwatini,” said Prinsloo during his trophy presentation. I’m very pleased to be in the winner’s circle again. I had a shoulder operation not too long ago and I had Covid, so I missed a couple of events, so I’m very happy to win and proud to win here.”
He started off with a bogey in what looked like a shaky start but worked well thereafter, and while under pressure, making five straight pars to keep himself ahead of Hugo and the relentless Wynand Dingle
His patience and meticulous work paid off for Prinsloo as he went on a spectacular three-birdie run before the turn. He made pars on 10 and 11 and birdied the 12th. A par on 13 was followed by his second drop of the day – on the par-four 14th – but Prinsloo bounced back with a birdie on 16 to seal a round of 69 and earn
Hugo was not able to add to his impressive 19 Sunshine Tour titles this weekend as his tournament total of nine-under-par proved not to be enough. He will take home a runners-up finish this week while Dingle, Keagan Thomas and Martin Rohwer shared the third spot in this 54-hole tournament.
Combrinck Smit carded a final-round 67 for a tournament total of seven-under-par 209, tying the sixth position with Doug McGuigan.
