CJ Du Plessis wins Southern Cape Open

CJ du Plessis, of Limpopo played stirling golf to pip local boy Riekus Nortje in he Southern Cape Open for 2011 which was held at the Knysna Golf Club.

The tournament had a record number of players entering the tournament as players from all over South Africa competed on a very wet course. The tournament started on Friday the 12th of August and finished on Sunday 14 August. With record rainfalls the course played long and slow, but allowed the players to attack pins tucked away behind any obstacle.

After two rounds, four players shared the lead on three under par, with another 46 players making the cut which was on seven over par.

Riekus Nortje, co-leader after 2 rounds, extended his lead with a third round 68. Brandon Stone, who struggled in the first two rounds, shot the round of the tournament with a brilliant 65 to get himself into contention.

The fourth round started with two players in the race for the trophy, Nortje on 8 under, and du Plessis on 6 under. Nortje started his fourth round with a double bogey on the second hole which gave CJ the opportunity to build up a lead. CJ played consistently over the back nine and eventually sealed the tournament with a very respectable 68 in the fourth round for an 11 under par total for the tournament. Nortje finished second with a total of 275 (9 under) and Stone finished third with a total of 277 (7 under).