Mateusz Gradecki secured a maiden European Challenge Tour victory in dramatic style at the Limpopo Championship, becoming only the second Challenge Tour winner to hail from Poland after Adrian Meronk.
The 27-year-old entered the final round five-strokes behind Demark’s Oliver Hundebøll but carded a brilliant bogey-free six under par round of 66 at Euphoria Golf Club to reach a 19 under par total and finish three shots ahead of South African Hennie du Plessis.
The Pole now moves to sixth position on the Road to Mallorca Rankings and was clearly emotional after securing a first victory on the Challenge Tour.
“It feels amazing,” he said. “I’m over the moon and all the emotions are running right now because I can’t believe I have finally got that first win on the Challenge Tour.
“My putting was key to victory today. I know I have been good enough to win tournaments at this level but my putting had to get better. I have been working hard on it over the last few and I’m delighted to see it pay off today.
“This victory means everything to me. I never stopped believing and I knew my time would come eventually.”
Germany’s Nick Bachem claimed third place on 15 under par, while Dutchman Lars van Meijel, South African Bryce Easton and Hundebøll shared fourth place on 14 under.
South Africans Luke Jerling and Pieter Moolman finished in seventh place on 12 under par, while Frenchman Clément Sordet and South African MJ Viljoen shared ninth on 11 under.
South African JC Ritchie still leads the Road to Mallorca Rankings following back-to-back victories at the Bain’s Whisky Cape Town Open and Jonsson Workwear Open, while Germany’s Alexander Knappe occupies second place following his victory at the season-opening Dimension Data Pro-Am. Belgium’s Christopher Mivis sits in third place, while Sordet, who secured victory at last week’s SDC Open, and Hundebøll complete the top five.
The Limpopo Championship concluded a run of six co-sanctioned events between the Challenge Tour and the Sunshine Tour in South Africa. The Road to Mallorca will now take a six week break before heading to Spain for the Challenge de España, taking place 19-22 May at Iberostar Real Club de Golf Novo Sancti Petri.
