Rhys Enoch produced a faultless final round to secure a two stroke victory in the SDC Open, the opening event of the 2024 Road to Mallorca.
The Welshman carded a fourth successive six under par round of 66 to reach 24 under par for the week and ensure he finished two strokes clear of South African duo Deon Germishuys and Martin Rohwer.
Enoch, who becomes a two-time Challenge Tour winner and secures a first triumph since winning on the Sunshine Tour in 2021, was delighted to return to the winner’s circle in South Africa.
“I feel relief weirdly, I don’t know why,” he said. “It’s been three years since I last won and I think once six months goes past after you win, you start thinking ‘when am I going to win again’.
“Especially after the year I had last year, I’m just super happy to be playing the golf I know I can play. To win here is a wonderful bonus.
“To start the year and get on top of the Challenge Tour and also get my full status on the Sunshine Tour really changes things and helps me out.”
Enoch started the day one stroke off the lead but made three successive birdies on his opening three holes to move into the outright lead. Another birdie at eight followed and at the turn he led by three.
The 35-year-old bogeyed the 11th but three gains in his next four holes saw him extend his lead once again. A dropped shot at 17 reduced his lead to one shot but a birdie at the par five 18th made sure of victory.
Enoch, who secured playing status on the DP World Tour at Qualifying School last year, was delighted with how he held his nerve over the final 36 holes.
“I was significantly better under pressure today than I have been before which is really the whole goal of what I’m trying to achieve,” he added. “I felt in control over the back nine yesterday and with how I played today.
“I also wouldn’t have been able to shoot two 66s in the first two rounds the way I was playing previously. It shows me that my game is in a place I want it to be.
“I was pleased with how consistently I played throughout, and how I controlled myself which is probably what I’m most happy with. I’m just looking forward to getting stuck in again next week and starting from scratch.”
South African Dylan Naidoo finished in fourth place on 20 under par, with English duo George Bloor and Chris Paisley one stroke further back in a share of fifth.
Overnight leader Wilco Nienaber finished in seventh on 18 under par alongside South African countrymen Ryan van Veltzen and Stefan Wears-Taylor, and Englishmen Curtis Knipes and Jamie Rutherford.
Englishman Joshua Berry fired a round-of-the-week 11 under par 61 to climb into a share of 12th alongside Spaniard Angel Ayora, Zimbabwean Stuart Krog and South African Lyle Rowe.
Enoch’s victory in the opening event of the Challenge Tour season sees him occupy the Number One spot in the year-long Road to Mallorca Rankings.
The Road to Mallorca remains in South Africa for the Bain’s Whisky Cape Town Open, taking place at Royal Cape Golf Club from February 8-11.
