Jaco Prinsloo aims to make most of SA's DP World Tour leg: 'That's where dreams are made'

• South African golfer Jaco Prinsloo is excited over the prospect of vying for the Sunshine Tour Order of Merit and hopes to impress in the busy season ahead.
• Prinsloo has had a phenomenal year so far, which includes six top-10 finishes and a win in Eswatini.
• He will be playing at this week's new Sunshine Tour event, the Fortress Invitational at Ebotse Links.

South African golfer Jaco Prinsloo hopes to continue his fine form for the remainder of the Sunshine Tour season as he eyes a dream come true Sunshine Tour Order of Merit win.

Prinsloo has had a stellar season so far and is currently second on the Sunshine Tour's Order of Merit for the 2022/23 season.

After clinching two wins in 2021, Prinsloo continued his form on the fairways with six top-10 finishes in 21 events.

Last month, Prinsloo clinched his fourth Sunshine Tour title at the Eswatini Nkonyeni Challenge at the Nkonyeni Lodge and Golf Estate in Eswatini (formerly Swaziland).

Prinsloo is only 12.75 points behind Sunshine Tour's Order of Merit leader Albert Venter.

"I'm loving the season so far. I had Covid-19 at the beginning of the year, which meant that I missed out on a few events," Prinsloo told News24 Sport.

"Luckily, I hit the floor running from there and tried to work my way up the Order of Merit, which is nice."

This week, the Sunshine Tour is at the Ebotse Links for the Fortress Invitational, a new three-round tournament starting on Friday.

The three-day televised inaugural tournament will celebrate a field in excess of 120 professional players, all fighting for a prize fund of R1.5 million.

Prinsloo is a man in form and knows how to win, suggesting that a relaxed mindset has helped him handle pressure situations on the golf course.

"It's something we've all got to learn, rarely does a guy win a tournament so we all got to learn to lose before bringing your first win. Through the years, being in similar positions and failing, that's where you learn and get comfortable with having that pressure on you," he said.

"I just keep my head down and try and hit the best shot that I can, and not think about what's going on too much. When you start, you're always thinking about winning, but I just play, and whatever happens happens, whether it be winning, second or 10th.

"Golf is a tough game and when it's going well, you need to just keep your head down and do the work and your utmost best."

The Sunshine Tour season is just about to get to the business end in South Africa, with several co-sanctioned events still remaining on the calendar.

November will tee off with the South African PGA Championship at St Francis Links, followed by the 40th anniversary of the iconic Nedbank Golf Challenge at Sun City.

The new Gary and Vivienne Player Invitational will also be played at Sun City in November. The Joburg Open takes place at the end of November at the new host venue of Houghton Golf Club and teeing off a strong run of four DP World Tour co-sanctioned events.

December will see the South African Open held for the first time at the Blair Atholl Golf and Equestrian Estate. The Alfred Dunhill Championship at Leopard Creek returns to the schedule and the year closes off with the return of the Mauritius Open at Mont Choisy Le Golf.

Prinsloo, like most Sunshine Tour professionals, is looking forward to competing in these co-sanctioned events.

A win or even a top 10 finish at any of these DP World Tour co-sanctioned events could be game-changing financially and in the standings on the Order of Merit and world golf rankings.

"We're blessed with the schedule this year and we're hearing of even more tournaments in the future. It's amazing and really gives you the opportunity to pursue golf as a full-time job in South Africa," said Prinsloo.

"With all these events, new sponsors and courses, it's really amazing and I think we'll see more golfers, which is the main goal. And that's where dreams are made of.

"This is why we play golf for these co-sanctioned events with the DP World Tour. It's very important for us as they count a lot of points in the Order of Merit," he continued.

"There's a lot of opportunities that open if you do well and play on the DP World Tour, that's where we all want to be. To have a little look at what their year is based on, it's amazing to see.

"Myself and all the Sunshine Tour guys are excited and cannot wait for these events. We're looking forward to playing these events, it's busy, but it's worth it doing your best."

However, Prinsloo is taking it week-by-week as he vies for an elusive "dream" Order of Merit win.

"Winning the Order of Merit would be one of my long-term goals, which I've had for a long time now. It's an amazing feat to win and it's not an easy one," said Prinsloo.

"There's been a different points system this season so we're not sure what it takes to win. But I'm happy, I'm putting myself up there, although it's still early in the season, but I'm happy to be there and I'm hoping to build on it.

"There's a lot of opportunities to winning this Order of Merit, you get entries into certain events and qualify school so it's definitely a goal of mine to win, and if it doesn't happen this year, I'm sure I'll give myself more opportunities like this in the future."

Prinsloo gets his opening round under way on Friday at 12:25 alongside Merrick Bremner and Jean Hugo at the Fortress Invitational.