PRETORIA — One of South African golf’s lesser-hailed professionals is Tjaart van der Walt.
— SuperSport
Of course, that’s probably because he is one of our many talents to play college golf in America, and subsequently ply his trade abroad. And a glimpse at his career record resembles that of the classic journeyman.
Van Der Walt turned pro in 1996 at the age of 21 and enjoyed three successful years on the then Vodacom Tour in his homeland.
He then made his move back to the United States and after three years on the Nationwide Tour, gained his PGA Tour card through Qualifying School. He then established himself as a PGA Tour player and settled in Texas.
The 2006 season proved to be a costly one, however, and he was forced to return to the Web.com Tour after losing his card. Despite steady play for the next four years, he was unable to regain his PGA Tour card, and decided to give the European Tour a run. He earned his full playing rights for the 2012 season through Qualifying School in 2011.
A 120th-place finish in the Race to Dubai standings saw him narrowly miss out on a full card for 2013, and he faces another tough year ahead if he is to get among the elite again.
“Playing abroad and on the Challenge Tour for many years obviously toughens you up as a golfer,” Van Der Walt told supersport.com. “You play in all sorts of conditions and you learn a lot. I suppose being here in East London this week is like I’ve come full circle. But it’s great to be here, and I like this course.”
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Van Der Walt found himself exempt for this week’s Africa Open Golf Challenge at East London, and has taken full advantage. He backed up opening rounds of 70 and 68 with another fine 68 in windy conditions on day three, and, at ten-under par for the tournament, finds himself just five strokes off the lead in the €1 million event. “I do feel comfortable in wind like this, but it does test your ability to cope with your head more than anything. You really have to think your way around this golf course when the wind starts blowing. That’s a real test. I don’t think they want us to go too far under par; probably so that we all stay bunched up.
And that’s what we’ve got I suppose,” he said.
It looked as though the sky was going to be the limit on Saturday for the 38 year-old, as his round began with an eagle and three birdies in his first five holes.
However, the round stagnated somewhat and he was unable to card any further red numbers. A bogey at the par-three tenth also took the shine off his day.
“I got off to a great start, but conditions changed after that. I didn’t putt as well as I did the first two days, but if I can keep hitting quality shots like I did for most of yesterday then we’re in with a shout. But my momentum was a bit halted by that three putt on 10; especially after hitting a good tee shot. But that’s what happens in the wind — it can be a devil sometimes,” Van Der Walt smiled.
Despite the setback, the Pretoria-born professional didn’t lose too much ground on the leading pack, and remains optimistic that a first career victory on a main Tour may yet still be on the cards.
