SUNCITY, South Africa – American golfer Johannes Veerman won his second European Tour title by one shot at the Nedbank Golf Challenge in South Africa on Sunday. Tournament champion, local favorite Aldrich Potgieter made bogey on the 72nd hole.
Wellman shot a 3-under 69 in the final round, and about an hour later the 20-year-old Potgett, ranked No. 18, needed a birdie to win or a par to win. The tournament, known as the “African Grand Slam”, entered a playoff.
Instead, he pushed the ball into the rough near the greenside bleachers, chipped it to 10 feet after a free fall, and missed the par putt.
Wellman, ranked No. 209, celebrated the victory on the practice range as he prepared for a potential playoff run. His other victory came at the 2021 Czech Masters. He started the final round with a five-shot advantage at Gary Player Country Club.
He was emotional after his latest win, praising the sacrifices made by his family, especially his wife Angela.
“We sold a company that was run by my wife,” Wellman said through tears. “She sold it so we could hit the road together as a family, traveling with two kids, so saying goodbye to friends and family all year long was a lot of work. So to be rewarded , it requires a lot of work.
The 32-year-old Californian shot 5-under 283 in the championship. Potgett took a three-shot lead overnight with a 75 and was tied for second with Matthew Jordan (72) and Roman Langeske (71).
Last year’s winner from the United States, Max Homa, opened the tournament with a 6-under 66 and finished in par. He finished with a 75 and tied for 14th.
