Ockie Strydom carded a sublime course record-setting nine under par final round 63 to win his second DP World Tour title at the Singapore Classic.
The South African, who triumphed at the Alfred Dunhill Championship earlier in the season, started the day at Laguna National Golf Resort Club four strokes behind the overnight leaders but quickly made ground as he covered the front nine in just 30 strokes, carding five birdies.
The 38-year-old was chasing Sami Välimäki on the back nine as the Finn moved into the lead after also recording five front nine birdies, then reaching 18 under par after his seventh birdie of the day on the 13th hole.
But Strydom made four further gains on his closing six holes, including a birdie on the last after an incredible chip from off the green left him a tap-in from a foot, setting the clubhouse target of 19 under par. Välimäki finished his round with five consecutive pars, narrowly missing a levelling birdie attempt on the last, handing Strydom his second win in the space of just six starts.
In a share of third place on 15 under par were Spaniard Alejandro del Rey, Germany’s Marcel Schneider and Jeunghun Wang of South Korea.
Player Quotes
Ockie Strydom: “I don’t know if there are any emotions at the moment. I was thinking after Ras Al Khaimah to go home and practice because the swing’s not there. I spoke to my coach, who flew my assistant coach in, we worked hard to get the swing back to where it was. I’m still speechless how it happened this week.
“The first thing is you’ve got to go low on the first couple of holes if you want to challenge. Luckily I did that, I was five under through nine and saw some of the guys were still on 17 and 18. I knew there was still a little bit of work needed. Back nine came in, stayed positive. Hit it close, a couple of putts I missed but some great putts I hit as well. The chip on 18 was phenomenal. It was one that is either perfect and coming back or it’s in the pond. I played it exactly how I wanted to. Just glad it came out to about half a foot and I knocked it in.
“I know everyone thinks they can win. It all depends how your mind is doing. A lot of conversations with my wife during the week. She’s been very positive to me. Some great words she said to me. She said ‘maybe this week is yours’. All credit to her and Jaris (Kruger), my caddie. Phenomenal job. I’m just speechless.”
