Cape Town – Erik van Rooyen has shot up the world golf rankings after his maiden European Tour win at the Scandinavian Invitational at Hills Golf & Sports Club on Sunday.
The South African was last season’s European Challenge Tour Graduate of the Year and arrived at Hills Golf & Sports Club having finished second on no fewer than three occasions on the European Tour – twice on the 2019 Race to Dubai.
Van Rooyen shot a 6-under-par 64 in the final round to finish on 19-under for the tournament to clinch the title by one shot.
“I’d been putting so well all day and to hole that one to win my first one is pretty cool. I’ve gone close a bunch of times and every time I’m in contention the question gets asked,” said Van Rooyen following his win.
“I’m just so proud of myself and Alex and everybody, I’m over the moon.”
Van Rooyen’s victory is the 150th in European Tour history by a South African and the fourth South African win this 2018/19 season after Louis Oosthuizen (SA Open), Justin Harding (Qatar Masters) and Christiaan Bezuidenhout (Valderrama Masters).
Following his victory, Van Rooyen jumped 26 places – from 87th to 61st – in the world golf rankings, becoming the third-highest ranked SA golfer.
The 29-year-old pocketed a cool €250 000 (R4.2m) for his efforts and jumped to ninth in the European Tour’s Race to Dubai rankings.
Fellow countryman Dean Burmester finished tied for third alongside 2016 Open champion Henrik Stenson on 14-under par.
Burmester’s finish saw him bank €84 450 (R1.4m) and moved up to 179th in the world golf rankings.
