The Sunshine Tour’s Hyundai Open concluded Sunday afternoon after a weekend of weather interruptions delayed proceedings but Dublin’s Rowan Lester did not seem to be hindered by the stop-start nature of his rounds as the 28-year-old Dubliner can be happy with his showing at the Ebotse Links as he finished T15 on 14-under-par.
Completing the end to his third round early Sunday morning, Lester finished strong with three birdies in his final four holes to post a 67 and start his final round later in the day at 14-under.
Hoping his strong finish to round three would bring momentum for his final round, Lester couldn’t get his putts to drop as he made an early bogey at the par-4 third.
The 28-year-old bounced back quickly with an impressive eagle at the par-5 fifth before adding a birdie at the par-5 seventh. Taking the turn at 16-under, it seemed as if Lester ran out of gas as a sore double bogey after a wayward tee shot at the par-3 11th undone his good work from his front nine performance.
Needing some birdies to climb the leaderboard, Lester got one at the par-4 16th but that was quickly cancelled out by a bogey at the par-5 18th as he posted an even-par round.
Lester earned 34.8 points to add to his Order of Merit ranking as he currently sits 56th in the standings.
At the top of the leaderboard, South Africa’s Casey Jarvis took the victory as the 22-year-old posted a final round 68 to win by one stroke at 23-under, just pipping his close friend Ryan van Velzen.
“Winning is not easy and Ryan didn’t make it very easy for me. It’s hard beating a friend, and he’s a close friend of mine. But I am very happy with my win today,” said Jarvis.
Jarvis’ caddie Conrad Loubser earned the winning caddie medallion.
Van Velzen posted a six-under-par 66 on the final day with two birdies at the final three holes but a birdie putt that was missed on 18 to tie the lead ultimately sealed the deal for Jarvis.
“I was a bit nervous with that final putt I won’t lie. I’ve had a few second places on tour, so to finally get it done is unbelievable,” said a relieved Jarvis.
South Africa’s Jean Hugo won a brand-new Hyundai Exeter after he finished closest to the pin on the par-three 11th hole, just 74cm from the flagstick.
The Sunshine Tour will now head to Randpark Golf Club for the Stella Artois Players Championship on the 13th of November.
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