Deon Germishuys
Shaun Roy/Sunshine Tour/Gallo Images
- South Africa young gun Deon Germishuys is looking to continue his fine form at this week’s Vodacom Championship Unlocked.
- Germishuys is looking for his maiden Sunshine Tour title.
- The 21-year-old will be inspired by his friend Garrick Higgo’s triumph on the European Tour.
The Sunshine Tour’s Rise-Up Series is back from its two-week break and youngster Deon Germishuys is hoping to continue his fine form at this week’s Vodacom Championship Unlocked.
Germishuys, who hails from Strand, is still the new kid on the block as he turned professional in 2019 after a glittering amateur career, which included a 2018 SA Amateur title.
Last week, Germishuys’ friend Garrick Higgo stunned the golfing world as he clinched his maiden European Tour title at the Open de Portugal.
Higgo’s win was monumental and an inspiration for Germishuys as he looks to put his mark on professional golf.
“Garrick and I come a long way, we grew up 10 minutes from each other, we played junior amateur golf together,” Germishuys told Sport24.
“Garrick deserves it, it’s definitely an inspiration for me and many young South African golfers who want to play on the European Tour … that is something we all aspire to do.
“He is an obvious inspiration, him and Wilco (Nienaber). We are all friends from back in amateur days and nothing has changed. They’re in Europe now, they’ve had the opportunities and took advantage of it.”
Last year October, Germishuys came close to clinching his maiden title at Stellenbosch Golf Club at the Vodacom Origins of Golf event but fell one shot short of winner Thriston Lawrence.
His back-to-back finish of T6 at Glendower and Pretoria Country Club in the two Rise-Up Series events is proof that the 21-year-old is close to sealing his elusive maiden title this season.
“I was close last year a few times and found myself in the Top 10 and obviously now in the two Rise-Up events, I felt like I was close enough to get a win so hopefully in this week or the next few weeks I can sneak something in there,” said Germishuys.
This week 108 players are expected to tee it up at the ERPM Golf Club in Boksburg for the fourth event of the Rise-Up Series.
Germishuys believes that he is feeling ready and refreshed coming back from the two-week break.
“This two-week break was well-needed after two T6. I really didn’t take off, I worked on my game and where I can improve,” he said.
“I felt after Glendower and PCC that my putting was letting me down and I really needed to spend some time on the greens … I feel good this week coming from the break.”
While professional golfers are delighted to be back to playing competitively, the world is still grappling with a global pandemic.
Under the Sunshine Tour’s protocols, golfers are required to screen themselves every day for a minimum of two weeks before or during an event. This is done through the HealthDocs App, where players input their temperatures every morning and every evening.
Germishuys acknowledged that the process was an adjustment but that it’s something that is out of his control.
“It’s tough for everyone to adjust when it comes to Covid. Obviously, you worry about that (the HealthDocs App), you can’t miss it. Everyone has reminders on their phone,” he said.
“Covid took a lot of opportunities away from players with some guys not being able to go overseas but I think it is unfortunate that we have to deal with it but hopefully, it’s all over but when you’re on the golf course, you don’t really worry about Covid.”
The Vodacom Championship Unlocked will take place from 23-25 September with three hours of the final round played live on DSTV Now and Sunshine Tour media platforms.
