14 April 2008
South African golf has another major winner after Trevor Immelman emulated his hero Gary Player’s feat of 30 years ago to win the US Masters at the Augusta National Golf Club in Georgia on Sunday.
It was a convincing victory by the 28-year-old. He was tied for the lead with Johannesburg-born Justin Rose after the first round; from round two, his name remained alone atop the leaderboard as he claimed victory by three shots on eight-under-par 280 after rounds of 68, 68, 69, and 75.
Immelman’s victory marked a remarkable return to winning ways for the modest man who just four months previously had a tumour removed shortly after winning the Nedbank Challenge in scintillating fashion. He experienced abdominal pain the week after his win at Sun City at the South African Airways Open, which forced him to withdraw from the event, and turned out to be the tumour.
Six weeks later, he was back on tour, contesting the FBR Open. It was a tough return as he missed the cut. Next, he missed the cut in the Northern Trust Open, followed by a tie for 17th in the World Golf Championships-Accenture Match Play Championship.
Another missed cut followed at the Honda Classic. Then, a number of finishes way out of the big money positions: a tie for 65th at the PODS Championship, a tie for 48th at the Arnold Palmer Invitational, and a tie for 40th at the World Golf Championships-CA Championship.
In his final tournament before the US Masters, Immelman missed the cut at the Shell Houston Open. Then.BOOM! There he was on Sunday at Augusta, having the famous green jacket fitted onto his shoulders by last year’s Masters’ winner, Zach Johnson.
Speaking about his win, Immelman’s thoughts reflected his fight back from surgery. He said: “You know, I’ve always dreamed about winning majors and deep down I always thought I was good enough, but at time you obviously doubt yourself because you miss a few cuts and screw up a few times and you just… it’s like ‘Man, maybe I’m not as good or not good enough.'”
The legendary Gary Player is the only previous South African winner of the Masters, having won it in 1961, 1974, and 1978. Immelman spoke about South Africa’s proud golf tradition and following in his idol’s footsteps, saying: “It hasn’t been hard to represent the country. Obviously, Gary won here three times and it’s such an incredible feat and, as you see, Ernie and Retief have come real close.
“Tim Clark finished second, Sabbatini – Rory – finished second, so there’s been a bunch of guys that have come so close and there’ll be a few more South Africans that will win this tournament.
“This tournament is such a big deal down in South Africa. We grow up idolising this event, and kids dream about winning this tournament, just as I did, and obviously Ernie and all those guys I mentioned, they still have many opportunities to win this event, so I wouldn’t be surprised if they get it done at some point.”
Now that he has won a major, Immelman says his ambition extends beyond a single title. “Obviously this is a tremendous confidence boost, now that I know I have got one under my belt,” he said, “and all I can do is go out there and prepare well for the majors from now on and just try my best.
“I mean I’m definitely not going to sit back and go ‘okay, that’s me, I’m done’. I’m going to keep working hard and try to make the most of what I’ve been given.”
Immelman’s win was hugely impressive because of the manner in which he dominated the elements, the course, and the competition.
He and Justin Rose led Brandt Snedeker, Lee Westwood, and Brian Bateman by one shot, on four-under-par 68, after the opening round.
In round two, only Steve Flesch, with a five-under 67 bettered Immelman’s 68. Snedeker equaled the South African with a 68 to trail by one at the halfway mark.
In the third round, only three players managed to better Immelman’s 69, which left him with a two-shot advantage heading into Sunday’s fourth round.
With his parents watching, and a good luck message from Gary Player left on his cellphone, he teed off in the most important round of his career. By the inward nine, his lead had grown as large as six shots, but he injected minor tension into the finish by carding a double-bogey on the 16th.
However, with such a big cushion, he wasn’t about to give up the coveted green jacket and pars on the final two holes secured the biggest win of his career.
Immelman went on to pay tribute to his parents. His father, Johan, the former Commissioner of the Sunshine Tour, politely told a reporter that it was Trevor’s moment, not his, when approached for comment.
He also thanked his wife, Carminita, and his brother, Mark, for coaching and encouraging him and, showing his respect for Gary Player, said: “This one is also for Mister Player.”
Immelman began his week by playing a practice round with Player, who contested the Masters for a record 51st time.
Victories don’t come bigger than winning the US Masters at Augusta. And speaking of “big” wins. Once converted to rands, Immelman’s prize money works out to R10.26-million – over R2.5-million per round – which is a seriously impressive return for a superb effort.
However, it’s not the money that matters. Honestly.
Pulling on the green jacket and emulating his hero, winning the US Masters for himself, his family, and the Rainbow Nation… That’s what matters.
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