DEAN BURMESTER, A BACK TO BACK CHAMPION

Written by: Kamogelo Mogale

Dean Burmester edged Ryan van Velzen to win the 2023 Investec South African Open at the Blair Atholl Golf Club on Sunday. Burmester carded a four under final round to win his fourth DP World Tour title, making him a back to back champion having captured the Joburg Open title last weekend.

Burmester said he’s happy with what he managed to achieve. “Back to back, I’ve never done that before so it’s special. It’s obviously one that as South African you want to win, second oldest. There’s only one more older than that which I happen to get into last week so who knows what happens next but at this stage to be involved in this tournament and to win it with a bank that used to sponsor me and got me off the ground when I was a kid is super special so to be the SA Open champion is something I’ll never forget”, said Burmester.

The 34 year old South African managed to make the cut, with an even par 114 and nine shots behind then leader Jesper Svensson and seemed out of contention. In the third round he shot a 65 to get him into contention. He fired a birdie in 16 and 17 to overcome a poor tee second shots on 18 to par
the final hole.

“It was tough, look it’s long so it suits me a little bit. To be honest I didn’t hit the driver that great and then from 12 onwards I started to hit some great tee shots and got in a fair way and that gave me a chance to get within 20 feet so there were some pins that you couldn’t get to but that par on 16 I knew I needed to get it land on 17 with a parder on my hand and then I knew I have a half and half chance, managed to make two there and them 18 I managed to pull the driver for a grand stand finish”, Burmester explains.

Burmester’s Investec South African Open triumph sees him pocket R4.7 million and moves back inside the top 100 in the world rankings as he is ranked number 77. He also becomes the top ranked South African golfer in the world, moving seven spots ahead of fan favourite Thriston Lawrence.

All roads lead to the Leopard Creek bordering the Kruger National Park game reserves with Burmester looking to make it three out of three as he will tee off in the Alfred Dunhill Championship which will get underway from the 7th till the 10th of December 2023.