Andy DevaneyA missed DP World Tour card, a difficult decision over Qualifying School and a year that had not quite gone to plan. Louis Albertse had plenty on his mind heading into the Telkom PGA Championship.
By Sunday afternoon at Country Club Johannesburg, however, he had something rather more satisfying to think about.
A closing 68 took the South African to 27 under par, three shots clear of Kyle de Beer and Samuel Simpson, and secured his fourth Sunshine Tour title. It was an emphatic victory, with a little tournament history thrown in for good measure.
Albertse finished just one stroke short of the championship record of 28 under par, set by Louis Oosthuizen in 2008. His total equalled the next-best mark, recorded by George Coetzee in 2011.
Not a bad way to remind yourself that your golf is still in rather good shape.
Albertse Finds His Reward After a Difficult Year
For all the impressive scoring, the significance of this victory went considerably further than another trophy.
Albertse had endured a frustrating campaign, narrowly missing out on DP World Tour status before deciding against attending Qualifying School. It was a decision that had clearly weighed on him.
“It’s been a tough year, and I’m really pleased to stand here. Missing out on a main Tour card with around 40 points is tough to take. I skipped Qualifying School not knowing if it was the correct decision, but this has been a great weekend,” Albertse said after winning his fourth title on the Sunshine Tour.
Professional golf offers precious little sympathy when the margins go against you. Albertse’s response was to produce four rounds that left the rest of the field chasing.
And he had his family there to share the moment.
“I’ve got my family here. It’s just been a special week. The golf course is great, and Telkom is such a great sponsor. This is such a great event.”
Three-Shot Lead, Three-Shot Victory
Albertse began the final round holding a three-stroke advantage, and there was little indication he intended to surrender it.
An eagle and a birdie on the front nine strengthened his position, leaving those behind needing something special to close the gap.
Two dropped shots on the back nine briefly interrupted his scoring, but three further birdies, including one at the final hole, ensured he finished exactly as he had started the day: three shots in front.
De Beer signed for a closing 67 to reach 24 under par, while Simpson produced a late flourish with three consecutive birdies to finish with a 68 and join him in second place.
For Simpson, it was a second successive runner-up finish in the championship. Consistency was certainly not the problem; unfortunately for him, Albertse had left very little room for anyone else.
A Place Alongside South African Golf’s Big Names
The scoring figures put Albertse’s performance into perspective.
Oosthuizen’s 28-under-par total from 2008 remains the benchmark, but Albertse now shares the second-best winning score in the championship’s history with Coetzee.
That is distinguished company, particularly in a tournament with such an established place in South African professional golf.
There was also recognition for the work behind the ropes, with Albertse’s caddie, Altus Kapp, receiving the winning caddie’s medallion.
Meanwhile, title sponsor Telkom confirmed a further two-year commitment to the PGA Championship, extending its support for the event.
For Albertse, though, the lasting satisfaction will surely come from the result itself.
A place on the DP World Tour may have slipped through his fingers, but a fourth Sunshine Tour victory, a 27-under-par winning total and a moment shared with his family offered a timely reminder of what he remains capable of achieving.
