24-YEAR-OLD SCHAPER CLAIMS FIRST DP WORLD TITLE
South African Jayden Schaper finally got the win he’s been chasing, taking home his first DP World Tour title at the Alfred Dunhill Championship in Johannesburg after an unforgettable playoff finish.
The 24-year-old’s stunning eagle on the first extra hole earned him the crown, beating compatriot Shaun Norris and sending the home crowd wild.
The tournament, held at Royal Johannesburg Golf Club, was hit hard by rain and heavy weather, with Saturday’s play almost completely washed out. Organisers were forced to shorten the event to 54 holes, but that didn’t dampen the drama one bit.
After three rounds, both Schaper and the defending champion Norris were tied at 16-under-par, setting the stage for a sudden-death showdown.
In the playoff, Schaper found himself in a fairway bunker off the tee before playing a superb second shot to just off the green. From there, he calmly rolled in a 15-foot eagle putt that clinched not only the title but a huge milestone in his career.
Norris, who’d already fired a course-record 62 during regulation to force the playoff, had to settle for second, applauding Schaper’s heroics as they walked up the 18th.
“It’s unreal to get it done at home,” Schaper said afterwards, reflecting on what’s been a long journey of near-misses. He’d finished second at the Nedbank Golf Challenge just last week, so this breakthrough was especially sweet.
The victory also comes with a significant payout for the 24-year-old: Just over a cool R5 million.
Image credit: Sky Sports