De Smidt turns the corner in Affinity Cup

“This win means a lot. I knew that I was able to win, but to do it just before we head into the big events of summer is a huge confidence boost. I feel like I’ve proved something to myself, especially because it’s been a few years since my breakthrough win,” he said.

The 26-year-old from Krugersdorp had to overcome Jean Hugo and Andrew Curlewis in a sudden-death showdown after all three players finished the tournament on nine-under-par.

De Smidt was up to the task and made an eagle on the first extra trip down the 18th to claim his second victory on the Sunshine Tour.

“On 18 I got lucky with my tee shot and had a nice gap to play through to the green. I couldn’t see the flag, but knew that a little draw would be good. My approach pitched perfect and finished perfect, so I can’t complain about that. With my first putt I was trying to lag the ball up to hole, but luckily it dropped,” he said.

The 2012 Sunshine Tour Qualifying School winner had earlier posted 67 to finish the week on nine-under-par, which was the leading clubhouse total.

Curlewis scrambled a par at the last to end regulation play tied for the lead and after that Hugo, who was one match back, made birdie there to join the tie at the top. Repeat trips down the 18th would determine the winner.

De Smidt, with his brother on the bag, eagled the first extra hole to secure the victory and a cool R126,800, thereby rising to 37th on the Sunshine Tour Order of Merit.

“My brother has caddied for me a couple of times and I’ve played well, but we couldn’t finish off the task. It’s very special for me to win with him on the bag – we’re brothers and best friends,” he said.

Scores (RSA unless otherwise specified):
207 – Ruan de Smidt 70 70 67
207 – Andrew Curlewis 66 72 69, Jean Hugo 66 70 71

208 – Wallie Coetsee 70 72 66, Theunis Spangenberg 70 69 69

209 – Adilson Da Silva (BRA) 72 72 65, Keith Horne 68 71 70, Anthony Michael 69 67 73

210 – Madalitso Muthiya (ZAM) 71 72 67, Breyten Meyer 70 70 70, Keenan Davidse 69 71 70

211 – Callum Mowat 71 73 67, Ockie Strydom 72 72 67, Desvonde Botes 71 71 69, Divan van den Heever 68 70 73,Justin Harding 68 69 74

212 – Drikus Bruyns 70 73 69, Chris Swanepoel 69 74 69, Rhys West 68 74 70, Tjaart van der Walt 70 70 72,Rourke van der Spuy 66 74 72, Andrew Georgiou (CYP) 69 70 73

213 – Jared Harvey 71 71 71, JC Ritchie 72 70 71, Darren Fichardt 71 70 72, Jbe’ Kruger 71 69 73, Lindani Ndwandwe 71 68 74

214 – Heinrich Bruiners 71 73 70, Tyron Roelofsz 72 70 72, Lyle Rowe 71 70 73, Ulrich van den Berg 70 70 74,Vaughn Groenewald 68 71 75

215 – Michiel Bothma 70 73 72, Ryan Tipping 66 76 73

216 – Toby Tree (ENG) 70 74 72, Neil Cheetham (ENG) 71 73 72, Shaun Norris 73 70 73, Le Roux Ferreira 73 69 74

217 – Justin Walters 71 73 73, Pablo Martin Benavides (ESP) 71 72 74

218 – Tyrone Mordt 72 72 74, Jake Redman 72 71 75

219 – Tyrone Ryan 71 73 75, Charl Coetzee 72 69 78

220 – Allan Versfeld 72 72 76 

Jacasport/Sunshine Tour