Veerman posts ‘indescribable’ win

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa (AFP) — American Johannes Veerman fired a final-round 69 for an “indescribable” one-shot victory in a European Tour event at sweltering South African resort Sun City. 

South African Aldrich Potgieter needed a final-hole par to force a play-off in a tense finish at the Gary Player Country Club 170 kilometers northwest of Johannesburg.

But the 20-year-old, who took a three-shot lead into the final round, needed three shots to reach the green, then two-putted for a bogey five.

Playing ahead of Potgieter, Veerman finished on five-under 283, one stroke ahead of Potgieter (75), Matthew Jordan (72) of England and Romain Langasque (71) from France.

Veerman, who was at the practice ground preparing for a possible play-off, battled to hold back tears when informed he was the champion, succeeding fellow American Max Homa.

“This win is indescribable. I have struggled for two seasons despite making huge sacrifices and now this happens,” he told reporters.