England’s Jamie Rutherford claimed his maiden victory on the Sunshine Tour and HotelPlanner Tour with a two-stroke triumph in the Cell C Cape Town Open in association with Honor at Royal Cape Golf Club on Sunday.
Jeff and Sarah Rutherford, his parents who had flown out from England to support their son on the final day, broke down in tears as they watched him close out a composed final round of 69 in windy conditions to win on 14-under par.
“It’s been a long time coming. He’s been so consistent. Today’s such a great achievement for him. He works so hard,” said Jeff.
For Rutherford, it was indeed a moment to savour.
“I’m ecstatic. My family have supported me the whole way. To travel halfway around the world to come and watch me play shows you much they support me. And for me to win when they are here is really special,” he said.
South Africa’s Keenan Davidse finished second on 12-under with a final round of 67.
It was a confident performance from Rutherford in very tricky conditions. He made three key birdies on the front nine and two on the back nine that allowed him the two bogeys he also made over the final nine holes.
“I’m really pleased with how I played in such tough conditions. I was very good off the tee and my putting was really good as well. I made some really important putts coming down the stretch. I’ve worked really hard on not being too hard on myself during a round. I’ve worked on controlling my emotions and staying in the present and I did that today,” he said
“I’ve had so many good finishes, top-10s and opportunities but the win has been missing. I’ve been working hard and playing on the HotelPlanner Tour for a few years now, so to win now is brilliant. I love this golf course. I love Cape Town. And I love coming to South Africa. It’s a great way to start the year. The hospitality here is just so amazing.”
Scores
274 - Jamie Rutherford 69 69 67 69
276 - Keenan Davidse 70 71 68 67
277 - Matt Oshrine 69 70 66 72
278 - Jovan Rebula 74 66 70 68, Sam Jones 70 69 69 70
279 - Jean Hugo 71 66 72 70, Lucas Vacarisas 71 68 70 70, Daniel van Tonder 69 67 72 71, Stefano Mazzoli 71 66 70 72, Lyle Rowe 71 68 68 72
280 - Quim Vidal 75 66 71 68, Calum Fyfe 69 70 70 71, Borja Virto 67 67 71 75
281 - Rhys Enoch 69 72 73 67, Nick Carlson 72 67 72 70, Martin Vorster 71 71 69 70, Vince van Veen 71 67 72 71, Daniel Young 73 69 67 72, JC Ritchie 70 71 67 73, Filippo Celli 66 67 72 76
282 - Michael Feuerstein 76 65 70 71, Jonathan Broomhead 72 66 72 72, Felix Mory 71 68 71 72, Michael Hollick 71 68 70 73, Pieter Moolman 73 68 68 73, Justin Walters 68 70 69 75, Bryce Easton 72 66 67 77
283 - Fredrik From 71 70 73 69, Jonathan Caldwell 72 70 71 70, Nikhil Rama 72 70 69 72, Sam Hutsby 72 70 67 74, Christoffer Bring 70 68 70 75, Adri Arnaus 75 65 68 75, Danie Van Niekerk 71 69 68 75, George Bloor 71 71 65 76
284 - Jacques Blaauw 70 72 73 69, Ricky Hendler 70 69 73 72, Hennie Otto 73 67 72 72, Lukas Nemecz 73 67 72 72, JJ Senekal 71 66 73 74, Kyle McClatchie 71 71 68 74, Christiaan Burke 73 67 69 75, Lars van Meijel 70 72 67 75, Benjamin Follett-Smith 72 66 69 77
285 - Jack Hawksby 73 69 71 72, David Law 71 67 70 77
286 - Malcolm Mitchell 67 69 78 72, Palmer Jackson 73 69 71 73, CJ du Plessis 72 69 71 74, Hayden Hopewell 72 69 69 76, Ethan Smith 74 66 69 77, Baard Skogen 72 69 67 78
287 - Euan Walker 72 68 75 72, Matthis Besard 75 66 74 72, Daan Huizing 72 70 72 73, Sebastian Friedrichsen 75 67 71 74, Chris Paisley 70 69 73 75
288 - Rhys West 70 68 73 77
290 - Maxence Giboudot 70 72 74 74, Sebastien Gros 80 60 75 75, Luke Jerling 74 68 72 76
291 - Brandon Gildenhuys 72 70 74 75, Lorenzo Scalise 76 66 73 76
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