Reed wins WGC, Van Rooyen in T3

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Erik Van Rooyen of South Africa
  • Post published:February 24, 2020

Patrick Reed added his eighth PGA Tour title to his career on Sunday evening when he won the WGC-Mexico Championship, writes ANDRE HUISAMEN.

Rounds of 69-63-67-67 were consistent enough to have him claim a one-stroke victory over Bryson DeChambeau, while Jon Rahm and South Africa’s Erik van Rooyen finished two shots back in T3.

It’s been an excellent week for Van Rooyen at the Club de Golf Chapultepec, who had to settle for a final-round 70 after moving in contention of the leaders on Friday with a brilliant nine-under-par 62.

On Sunday, though, the 30-year-old had to dig a little deeper to stay in touch and after making two birdies on the opening two holes, it looked as if Van Rooyen was firmly on his way for a big day on the course.

But, an immediate drop-shot on the third, followed by a string of pars to close out the front nine made it difficult for him to grab the lead.

A double-bogey on the 10th certainly put him a few spots back and a further drop-shot on the 13th all but crushed Van Rooyen’s chances in the fourth round.

He gave himself something to be proud of, though, by finishing with back-to-back birdies on the 15th and 16th holes to come home with a one-under-par round to close out the competition, which was his highest-ever finish at a PGA Tour event.

After stamping his authority on the European Tour last year, this result would’ve given him loads of confidence to do the same on the PGA Tour this year with a few events to look ahead to.

Van Rooyen is at the heart of a great group of local South African talent that looks destined for big things to come and results like these will only bode well for the future.

Photo: Angel Castillo/Jam Media/Getty Images