South Africa at it again! van Tonder wins Savannah Classic

Thirty-year-old Daniel van Tonder had to fight it out with 25-year-old Thai Jazz Janewattananond in a three-hole playoff at the par-four 18th to win his first European Tour title at the European Tour's Savannah Classic, after a 21 under par 263 in regulation time. 

The South African had played for six under par 65 in the first round. and seven under par 64 in the second round for a combined round score of 13 under par to take a one-stroke lead at the halfway point of the Classic. He carded 70 in the third round and another 64 in the final round for 21 under par.

"I have been playing well and working hard on the game, I’m overwhelmed. My wife and I have been a great team. I’m happy for this win," the elated van Tonder offered. 

While at the top of the leaderboard, van Tonder had picked bogeys at the 14th and 15th to pile pressure on himself but recovered on the final par-four 18th to tie the score at 21 under par 263 forcing the playoff.

"I was thinking I’m usually a bit dangerous on the last few holes, I knew I could make a few birdies. Second-last hole I hit myself behind a tree, took some thinking of making a par. I told my wife on the last hole I’d put myself on the green, give myself a chance to make a putt and I did," he explained.

He continued, "I have been a winner in the Sunshine Tour and theTour is very good and it has prepared me well for this victory. Competition is very strong. Scores are usually very low, you have to go low. If it wasn’t for the Sunshine Tour, I don’t think I would have done this. I am very happy with that, and thank them for this win."

Van Tonder who finished tied 78th in last week's Magical Kenya Open says he was struggling last week but found his footing during the Classic, gave himself some putting chances and was confident of winning sooner or later.  

"I tried to keep it easy. It’s 18 holes, I needed 18 tee shots and 18 second shots and try to make it as easy as possible. That was in my mind, just to hit fairways first then hit the second on the green and try and make the putt. The first nine went well and I started the second nine also very well. But I had the two bogeys in a row, two big fliers ,I don’t know how, but luckily my wife is on the bag and she kept me calm and reminded me of a few things, and it worked.

It was very special. She’s been on the bag for seven years. She’s been with me through thick and thin. It was very special to see the highs coming together and sharing them.

I’ve been working hard. Last year I had four wins on the Sunshine Tour, my stroke average was quite low, then Covid happened and it made everything a bit hard travel-wise and getting into tournaments. It wasn’t easy. I had to work hard and keep myself motivated. It paid off, so I’m very happy.

I’m a bit different. I love pressure, if there’s pressure I get more in the zone. For me, I tried to keep it as easy as possible – hit the fairway first, then the second, put the other player under pressure and see what happens from there. I took it shot-by-shot and it worked.

It wasn’t really a break on Monday. I felt at the first tournament I wasn’t swinging it as well or trusting my shape. I missed the cut by one, after the finish – eagle, birdie, par, birdie - and missed by one. I didn’t let that get us down, I worked hard in the few days and it worked this week.

We’re flying back home tomorrow morning, to South Africa. Then we have a few weeks off to try and sort out our visas and see where we can go when tournaments start again and just be ready for the next European Tour event.

It’s very exciting. We’ve been working hard. It took a while, but it came and I’m very happy, my wife is over the moon. I’m very happy and grateful.

Work hard. Keep your head down, be humble. I love my wife, she’s the rock. She keeps me calm, makes me positive in everything. And sponsors as well, supporting me, helping me. I’m very grateful.," van Tonder said in his post-event interview.