Ockie Styrdom clinches victory at Singapore Classic

South African golfer Ockie Styrdom has won the 2023 Singapore Classic at Laguna National GC. He mounted a brilliant comeback to become the first South African to win a DP World Tour event held in the city-state.

He went up against Sami Valimaki at the 18th under with the prospect of a play-off. Ockie Styrdom then managed to produce one of the most magnificent shots of the week with a deft chip. He sunk his birdie putt for a one-shot victory over Valimaki.

Valimaki, who was two groups behind Strydom, still had a chance to force extra time, but his birdie putt on 18 came up agonizingly short of the hole.

He had to settle for second place overall at the US$2 million tournament, the DP World Tour's first in Singapore since 2014.

Wang Jeung-hun of South Korea and Alejandro Del Rey of Spain, who had shared the third-round lead, finished tied for third with Marcel Schneider after the German closed with a 69.

Ockie Styrdom burst on to the scene in the final round with five birdies on holes one, three, five, seven and nine for an outward 30.

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"I didn't even think it was going to come out that good," - Ockie Styrdom

Ockie Styrdom (Image via Yong Teck Lim/Getty Images)

Ockie Styrdom parred three holes before picking up speed at 13, 14 and 16. Strydom's brilliant up and down on 18 for his ninth birdie of the day effectively sealed his victory at the 2023 Singapore Classic.

He spoke about his make-or-break moment after winning the coveted title:

"It's a funny one. I said to Jaris my caddie, it's either going to go up in the air and land in the fringe, but if you hit a little bit behind it, it's wet. So, I took the safe shot, took a wedge, laid it up and it came out absolutely phenomenally. I didn't even think it was going to come out that good."

After the Alfred Dunhill Championship in December changed his perspective on golf, the Singapore Classic became Styrdom's second DP World Tour breakthrough.

He spoke about this incredible victory.

"It's a mindset that's changing at the moment. When you've been in that situation before and you know you can do it again. I was thinking about not being here this week. I was hitting it so badly. My coach flew in and my wife said to me, 'Listen, maybe this is your week.' And look what happened, it's my week."

Certainly, Styrdom provided a great finish to a fantastic tournament.