Alexander Knappe secured his first win for over five years by posting four bogey-free rounds at the Dimension Data Pro-Am.
Photo credit: Sunshine Tour
The German was calmness personified throughout his closing four under par round of 68 on the Montagu course at Fancourt Golf Estate, birdieing the last for a 23 under par total and a one-stroke victory over two-time DP World Tour winner Dean Burmester, who finished second on 22 under par after missing a birdie chance on the 72nd hole.
Knappe was clearly emotional after securing his third Challenge Tour victory and was overjoyed by keeping his card clean throughout the first event of the season.
“I’m really speechless, actually,” he said. “I’m settling down now so I can speak a little bit better but when I shook hands with Daniel, I couldn’t even say thank you for the round or anything, nothing came out. It’s just incredible to win this tournament, it means a lot to me.
“My mental coach has really helped me over the last three months. I’ve worked with him every day and I used breathing exercises which helped to keep me cool.
“I felt a little bit of pressure sometimes because I knew I was bogey-free. I played a little bit safe over those last few holes because I wanted to remain bogey free. I was left with long putts but it’s incredible, four rounds bogey-free, I never thought that was possible. It’s unbelievable.”
The 32-year-old won the Swiss Challenge and Hainan Open in 2016 and despite being unable to get over the line in the five years since, has never stopped believing that his time would come once again.
“I’ve had a few times where I was in the mix, the Grand Final in 2020,” he said. “I was leading there and that was a moment where I thought I could win. I never gave up. I stayed patient even when I lost my Tour card with one shot. I stayed patient, I didn’t get angry with myself.
“I’ve always dreamed of winning this tournament and it’s come true. It’s unbelievable.
“A win gives you confidence, I guess. It’s a long season. Jamie and the Challenge Tour have put up a great schedule, the prize money increase makes it a little bit more exciting and enjoyable as players, because it can be tough to make money on Challenge Tour without sponsors.”
Burmester pushed Knappe all the way on a scorching hot day in George, but had to settle for second place after posting a four under par round of 68, while New Zealander Daniel Hillier was three shots further back in third place.
South African duo JC Ritchie and Neil Schietekat shared fourth place with Denmark’s Nicolai Kristensen on 16 under par, with France’s Adrien Saddier and South African pair Jaco Ahlers and Deon Germishuys a shot further back in a tie for seventh place.
Last year’s champion Wilco Nienaber, countryman Haydn Porteous and Spain’s Angel Hidalgo completed the top ten, finishing on 14 under par.
Knappe’s victory means he immediately goes to the top of the Road to Mallorca Rankings on 54,853 points, with Hillier second on 24,190 and Ritchie and Kristensen in a tie for third on 11,478.
The Road to Mallorca now makes the short trip to Cape Town for the Bain’s Whisky Cape Town Open from February 17-20 at Royal Cape Golf Club and Rondebosch Golf Club.
