South African golfer Casey Jarves secured entry into The Open and The Masters following his victory at the 115th SA Open in Stellenbosch on Sunday.
Image: Sunshine Tour
Newly crowned South African Open winner Casey Jarvis is hoping to rub shoulders with Tiger Woods at The Masters at Augusta in 38 days when he makes his debut at the world-famous golf tournament.
Following his maiden South African Open title, the 22-year-old secured exemptions into The Masters as well as The Open later this year at Royal Birkdale.
With a composed performance on the final day of the tournament at Stellenbosch Golf Club, Jarvis finished on 14-under-par and added the home title as his second DP World Tour win, following his exploits in Kenya a week ago.
However, this victory will be especially sweet after completing it in front of his home crowd and in testing weather conditions in the Winelands.
Jarvis and his fellow competitors had to brave strong winds, rain and a 35-minute lightning delay on the final day before they could finish their rounds, with the South African holding his nerve on the 18th hole to secure the trophy.
“I just stayed in the moment, because often in the past I thought too far ahead and the result didn’t turn out the way I wanted to,” Jarvis said of his victory.
“As South African golfers, we all dream of winning our home Open and to have done it feels amazing. I just can’t wait to go to Augusta. It’s so cool. I’ve got no words to describe the feeling. Hopefully Tiger Woods is playing because he’s my role model. And to play The Open with all of its history is unreal. I can’t wait.
“To be going there and competing against the best in the world, I think it will be a truly amazing experience. To be standing here with the trophy is amazing. This is definitely a childhood dream of mine. Watching Rory (McIlroy) at the SA Open, Brandon Stone winning the title.
“I just can’t wait to get to Augusta.”
The Masters gets underway on April 9 until April 12.