Dean Burmester enjoyed a double success following his victory at the Joburg Open as the South African also secured entry into next year’s Open Championship at Royal Troon on the back of his third DP World Tour win.
The 34-year-old South African, who has been competing on the LIV Golf circuit since February, won by three shots after posting four rounds in the 60s at Houghton Golf Club. He fired a closing 64 to overhaul third round leader Thriston Lawrence, who fell away dramatically on Sunday with a final round 75, which dropped the South African down to a share of seventh place.
“I tried to stay patient throughout the round,” said Burmester, who has seen his world ranking slip from 58 to 154 following his switch to LIV earlier this year. “Thriston is a tough competitor, so I knew I had to do something special and I was fortunate to do so.”
Burmester will be joined at next year’s Open Championship by fellow countryman Darren Fichardt and England’s Dan Bradbury, with all three earning their place at the season’s final major championship after finishing in the top three places in what was the first event in the R&A’s Open Qualifying Series.
Fichardt, 48, matched Burmester’s closing 64 to finish runner-up on 15-under-par and secure the second qualifying place, while defending champion Dan Bradbury also blitzed the course on the last day with his 64 taking him into third place on 267.