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Johannesburg - Ulrich van den Berg claimed his first victory in three years when he won the BMG Classic in the pouring rain at Glendower Golf Club on Sunday.
The weather-delayed second round had to be completed on Sunday morning, and when it was done Hennie Otto led the field on 11 under with Van Den Berg one stroke behind him.
But Van Den Berg took the lead amidst a crucial stretch of four birdies to the turn and Otto’s double bogey on the par-four 10th.
He made three birdies in four holes from the 13th, bogeyed 17 and then parred 18 for an emotional triumph.
"My last win was in 2010 and I need to thank my wife for standing by me when my form hasn’t been that good.
"And I’ll always dedicate my wins to my late father," said Van Den Berg.
Otto and Titch Moore shared second place on 10 under par with respective final rounds of 73 and 70.
"Hennie is one of the hardest competitors we have on the Sunshine Tour.
"To beat him is a feather in my cap.
"He is one tough competitor.
"He’s never done.
"I was ahead then he went ahead with an eagle.
"He never quits.
"I’m thrilled to have beaten a field like this and beaten him up the stretch," said Van Den Berg.
But the Johannesburg professional also showed tremendous composure in the constant rain and when his five-foot putt for par on the fifth horseshoed out of the hole.
"I started well and then I had that putt that came right back at me on the fifth.
"That could’ve really wobbled me, but I took it in my stride," he said, following it up with four birdies in succession.
Van Den Berg’s win comes on a golf course that is very dear to him, and at the right time with the South African Open set to be played here in a month.
"I believe this is in the top three golf courses in South Africa.
"I love this course and we’re all looking forward to what I think is going to be one of the best SA Opens we’ve had."
Scores (RSA unless otherwise specified):
201 - Ulrich van den Berg 65 69 67
206 - Titch Moore 69 67 70, Hennie Otto 65 68 73
208 - Colin Nel 68 70 70, Merrick Bremner 68 68 72
209 - Warren Abery 67 70 72
210 - CJ du Plessis 67 69 74
211 - Andrew Curlewis 71 70 70, Jean-Paul Strydom 72 69 70, Jbe' Kruger 70 70 71, Johan du Buisson 66 73 72, Anton Haig 69 74 68
212 - Shaun Smith 71 71 70, Drikus van der Walt 68 72 72, Desvonde Botes 74 69 69, Dean Burmester 67 71 74, Lyle Rowe 67 68 77
213 - Wallie Coetsee 71 70 72, Neil Schietekat 69 74 70
214 - Grant Veenstra 70 72 72, Jake Roos 69 73 72, Brett Liddle 68 70 76, Oliver Bekker 67 70 77, Vaughn Groenewald 70 73 71,Jared Harvey 69 74 71, Ryan Cairns (ZIM) 72 71 71, Allan Versfeld 75 68 71
215 - Matthew Carvell 69 73 73, Riekus Nortje 68 74 73, Louis Moolman 69 72 74, Michael Hollick 69 74 72
216 - Madalitso Muthiya (ZAM) 72 70 74, Martin du Toit 71 71 74, Andre Cruse 70 71 75, Callie Swart 70 72 74, Charl Coetzee 70 68 78
217 - Irvin Mazibuko 71 71 75, Jacquin Hess 72 70 75, Drikus Bruyns 67 76 74, Ross Wellington 73 70 74
218 - Adrian Ford 68 74 76, Erik van Rooyen 73 69 76, Tyrone Ferreira 71 72 75
219 - Ruan de Smidt 67 74 78, Prinavin Nelson 70 73 76
221 - Jean Hugo 71 71 79
222 - Jake Redman 72 70 80, Morne Buys 70 73 79
223 - Toto Thimba (Jnr) 69 72 82
224 - Derick Petersen 73 70 81
