Ryan van der Klis shot a final-round 66 on Thursday to total 12-under and claim a dramatic come-from-behind victory in the 10th Betway Big Easy Tour event that was held at Observatory Golf Club.

The 24-year-old Van der Klis turned pro just four months ago after graduating from the Augusta University in July. Having had four top-10 finishes in his first five starts on this Sunshine Tour feeder circuit, Van der Klis got his breakthrough win in his sixth start, a testimony to his ability and very high work rate.

Van der Klis was two shots off the pace coming into the final round and his par-eagle-bogey start was decent enough to keep him within reach of the leaders which included Musiwalo Nethunzwi, veteran Ulrich van den Berg and Andrew Williamson.

Birdies on the fifth and seventh holes eased Van der Klis’ nerves as he turned in 34. Coming home, a bogey on 12 threatened to derail his progress but Van der Klis bounced back expertly, birdieing four of his last six holes to get to 12-under for a one-stroke victory.

“I’m truly ecstatic,” said Van der Klis after his dramatic win. “A lot of credit has to go to my coaches out at Augusta for getting me ready to compete at such a high level and against these really good professionals out here. It was nice.

“I wasn’t expecting to turn professional so early but the Betway Big Easy Tour has given me that opportunity to pursue that dream quite early and I had four top-10s in the last five events and it’s nice to get the win on my sixth start.

“It’s nice to show up on the green and think ‘I belong here and I can do it’. So, to actually just prove it again with a win is satisfying and I’m incredibly happy to get the win here today.”