Emotional Norris continues South African dominance at Leopard Creek
Shaun Norris during round 3 at the Alfred Dunhill Championship at Leopard Creek Country Club on December 15, 2024 in Malelane, South Africa. Photo by Carl Fourie/Sunshine Tour
South Africa’s Shaun Norris faced an anxious wait before claiming an emotional one-shot win in the Alfred Dunhill Championship at Leopard Creek.
The veteran (42) went out more than an hour before the leaders, six shots behind Swedish pacesetter Marcus Kinhult.
But buoyed by an eagle two at the second, he stormed through the field, making five birdies in a double-bogey in five-under 67 to set a 13 under par clubhouse total that proved unreachable for his rivals at Leopard Creek.
Compatriot Ryan van Velzen needed a par at the treacherous18th to force a playoff but hit his approach into the water and made bogey to sign for a level par 72 that left him tied for second with Kinhult, who carded a 74, and England’s John Parry, who shot 69.
“Unbelievable,” Norris said after his second DP World Tour win. “Words can’t describe the feelings going through me at the moment. I’m over the moon.
Norris celebrates. Photo by Carl Fourie/Sunshine Tour
“I only knew I’d shot 67 after I made the last putt. I was so stuck in my head, focusing on every shot and doing what I needed to do. At the end of the day, it worked out nicely.”
Norris told his caddie and brother Kyle that they needed a strong start to have a chance and so it proved
“That eagle was key,” he said after banking €255,000. “It’s massive to get off to a good start and put yourself in a nice rhythm.”
After becoming the tenth South African winner of the title in the last 12 stagings, he added: “This title means everything to me.
"To win here at Leopard Creek, which is always in spectacular condition and where we’ve had such good champions such as Ernie Els, Charl Schwartzel and Louis Oosthuizen – to now put my name on this trophy is a blessing.”
Tom McKibbin, who birdied three of his last six holes to shoot 72 and tie for 24th on five-under, will round off 2024 alongside Conor Purcell and Gary Hurley in this week’s Mauritius Open.
Meanwhile, five Irishwomen begin their quests for cards at the LET’s 90-hole Lalla Aicha Q-School Final Qualifier in Morocco today.
Sara Byrne and Annabel Wilson tee it up at Royal Golf Marrakech as Anna Foster, Olivia Mehaffey and amateur Canice Screene play Al Maaden Golf Marrakech.
The top 65 and ties after 72 holes qualify for the final round with the top 20 and ties awarded Category 12 cards.