The SDC Golf Championship, which is co-sanctioned with the Sunshine Tour, took place at St Francis Links in the Eastern Cape and was a breakthrough for England's Matthew Baldwin. It was his first victory in his 200th start on the DP World Tour, and he won by an impressive seven strokes, closing with a final round of 68 to finish on 18 under par.
Baldwin dedicated his win to his late stepfather and spoke of how tough the past 12 months had been for him. Spain's Adri Arnaus came in second place on 11 under par, with South Africa's Jaco Ahlers finishing as the leading South African in tied third place on 10 under par.
Despite the challenging conditions brought on by the wind that forced the suspension of earlier rounds, Baldwin managed to handle the situation superbly. He finished the third round with a solid 65, which lifted him to 14 under par overall and gave him a four-stroke lead going into the final round. Baldwin was never challenged and played well throughout the tournament.
In his post-tournament interview, Baldwin spoke of the relief he felt after winning and how it was a significant breakthrough for him both personally and professionally. This win brings him the confidence he needs to continue playing at the highest level.
The SDC Golf Championship was an exciting event that surpassed all expectations. Getting the sponsorship together was a significant challenge, and the organizers were grateful to their major partners for their support.
Overall, the tournament showcased the best of golf and provided fans with a thrilling and memorable experience. Congratulations to Matthew Baldwin on his win and to all the other participants who made this event a success.
Harcourts sponsors Keagan Thomas and we filmed him throughout the event so keep an eye out for the video which will be released soon.