During the presentation ceremony, Altin van der Merwe took his place with pride beside 2023 champion Dean Burmester. He was pleased to collect the Freddie Tait Cup as the Leading Amateur in the 113th Investec South African Open Championship.
By Friday night, the 27-year-old had already secured the prize. He was the only amateur to reach the 36-hole cut at Blair Atholl Golf and Equestrian Estate, and his rounds of 73 and 74 on the weekend left him tied for 57th place. The man ranked #1 in the GolfRSA amateur ranking, Van der Merwe, has had an eye-opening experience playing professional golf on the DP World Tour. He also gained an understanding of the magnitude of the step-up needed to contend with the top professional golfers in the world. For the Bellville golfer, this year has been extraordinary. This season, the GolfRSA No. 1 has been on fire, winning five provincial championships and making an impression overseas with finishes of runner-up in the Scottish Men’s Open, 10th in the Brabazon Trophy, and a tie for 12th in the St Andrews Links Trophy.