Kyle Barker claimed his second Sunshine Tour title this year when he won the Vodacom Origins of Golf in a play-off at the Devonvale Golf and Wine Estate on Sunday.
He produced a strong final round of 65 and finished tied for the lead with Pieter Moolman on 10 under par 203. Barker then birdied the first play-off hole as Moolman parred. Martin Rohwer finished third on eight under par.
It was a thrilling finish to a tournament Moolman seemed destined to win having led after day one and then taking a commanding six-stroke lead into the final round, and with Barker starting seven shots off the lead.
But on a day when Barker went out in 30 to make his charge and then parred his way through the back nine, Moolman stumbled to a closing one over par 72.
Moolman still managed to force his way into the playoff with a crucial birdie on the par-four 18th, but couldn’t match Barker thereafter.
“I was seven shots behind and I knew I had to do something special,” said Barker. “I made six birdies on that front nine and it really helped me. Nothing wanted to drop on the back nine, but I hit top-quality golf shots. Then I finished the 18th and we thought I’d won and my friend had already sprayed champagne on me, and I’d had a few sips. But there was a mistake on the leader board, and then I was told Pieter had made birdie on the last to take it to a play-off. So I had to get to the tee for the play-off. Luckily I made a great birdie there.
The victory is Barker’s second this year following his breakthrough triumph in the Stella Artois Players Championship in April.
“It feels amazing to have won again,” she said. “I had so much energy this week.”
The victory is also a timely one with Barker planning for a wedding at the end of this year.
“Now I can pay for the photographer and the flowers.”
