MJ Daffue produced a closing eagle to seal a maiden HotelPlanner Tour title on an eventful final day of the NTT DATA Pro-Am brought to you by Standard Bank.
The South African, who started the final round on the Montagu course at Fancourt Golf Estate tied for the lead, signed for a three under par 69 to reach 16 under par for the week, to finish four shots clear of a four-way tie for second.
Daffue catapults to third on the season-long Road to Mallorca Rankings and cut an emotional figure after his breakthrough victory on home soil.
“This is amazing,” he said. “I’ve played this tournament a few times and it’s one of my favourite tournaments. I’ve played the Pebble Beach pro-am and this South Africa’s equivalent.
“I love Fancourt and George is a piece of heaven to me. Deciding to come over here with my family for this long was a great decision. The emotions haven’t really sunk it yet.
“It was a roller coaster out there today. I had to be patient today and it paid off in the end where everything really fell in place.”
Daffue kickstarted his final round with birdies on two of his first three holes before dropping his first shot of the day on the fifth. And after two further birdies around the turn, the South African appeared to be cruising towards a comfortable triumph.
However, two dropped shots in four holes saw Daffue fall back into a tie at the top with American Hunter Logan on 14 under. But, after the American found the water on the par five closing hole and Daffue hit the green in two, the South African was free to roll home a closing eagle to seal victory in front of his onlooking wife and son.
“I’ve always dreamt of a moment like that,” he added. “Having them run out on 18 after a win was something I thought might not happen.
“This is so special and to finish off with an eagle was perfect. It was a perfect storm this week where everything fell in place. These outcomes are a result of a lot of things and I’m so grateful.
“I’m going to have to figure out what I am going to do now. I may need to travel a little more with maybe playing in South Africa a little bit more but also on the HotelPlanner Tour to chase that DP World Tour card.”
South African Bryce Easton, Zimbabwean Kieran Vincent, Logan and Irishman Max Kennedy all share second place on 12 under par, one shot ahead of Deon Germishuys and Jaco Ahlers from South Africa and Englishman Sam Hutsby.
South African MJ Viljoen remains in first place on the Road to Mallorca, with Englishman Will Enefer still holding second following his victory at last week’s CIRCA Cape Town Open. Daffue rises 94 places to third with Germishuys and France’s Maxence Giboudot rounding out the top five.
The Road to Mallorca remains in South Africa for the last of four co-sanctioned events between the HotelPlanner Tour and the Sunshine Tour, with the Jonsson Workwear Durban Open taking place at Fancourt Golf Estate from February 19-22.
