Bezuidenhout leads South Africa’s golf rankings

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The Nigel golfer kicked off his season with victory at the Eastern Province Stroke Play in March, but it was his breakout victory at the Western Province Amateur in April that confirmed his breakthrough in South African golf.

After defeating the then number one Haydn Porteous for the Stroke Play title, Bezuidenhout dismissed fellow Ekurhuleni golfer NJ Arnoldi to win the Match Play title to become only the fifth player in the history of the Western Province Amateur Championships to complete the elusive double.

The move to number one followed just days after his selection to the four-man team that will represent South Africa at the prestigious biennial Spirit Invitational in Texas in the US later this year.

Bezuidenhout, 19, who is also a member of the Ernie Els and Fancourt Foundation, quickly played down the high expectations that he is now ready for major leagues.

“I set myself the goal of getting a couple of victories under the belt at the start of the season, but the number one spot was in the back of my mind,” he said.

“But, after winning the Western Province Amateur, it definitely became my goal. It is quite amazing when you set yourself a goal, work towards it and reach it. You forget about all the hard work, long hours and sacrifices in an instant.”

Despite the newly-achieved top ranking, Bezuidenhout went on to acknowledge that there are more goals yet to achieve.

“Long-term, I would like to establish myself on the pro circuit, but that is still a couple of years down the track,” he explained.

“I’d like to play the Big Easy Tour again and then there is the South African Open Championship later this year.

“Hopefully I can also hold on for a spot on the Eisenhower team next year.”

His immediately goal, however, is to help Ekurhuleni get back in the A-division at this year’s SA Inter-Provincial.

The 53rd South African Inter-Provincial Championship tees of at Rustenburg Golf Club from September 23 to 27.