Gauteng North Open: Charl Barnard birdies final hole for the title
Charl Barnard (GolfRSA Photo)
19-year-old East Tennessee University freshman Charl Barnard shot 18-under par and secured victory over Morris Shiefner by a stroke, clinching the Gauteng North Open at Waterkloof Golf Club in Pretoria, South Africa.
Barnard opened with rounds of 70 and 66 before following them up with a solid 69 in the third round. Entering the final day tied for third at 11-under, two shots adrift of leader Ivan Verster—ranked 35th on the
Golfweek/AmateurGolf.com World Rankings—Barnard delivered a scintillating closing round of 7-under 65. His final-round heroics included seven birdies and a stunning eagle on the par-5 seventh hole.
The South African’s victory wasn’t without drama. Shiefner, who had surged into contention with a dazzling third-round 64, carded a closing 67 that included an eagle on the 18th hole. This late charge put the pressure squarely on Barnard, who needed a birdie on the final hole to seal the win. Rising to the occasion, Barnard delivered, capping off his triumph with nerves of steel.
Shiefner finished with a 17-under total of 271 after rounds of 73-67-64-67. Meanwhile, Verster, who led after 54 holes, faded to a final-round 75 to finish 9th in the tournament.
For Barnard, the victory adds to an already promising 2025 campaign. This year, he has competed in three ranked events, including this win, a 12th-place finish at the Free State Open Championship, and a 39th-place showing in the Betway Big Easy Tour 9 event on South Africa’s mini-tour circuit.
Barnard’s ascendancy in South African golf circles began in earnest last year when he won the Nomads U19 Championship in March and subsequently led his team to victory at the All Africa Junior Team Championship. Upon enrolling at ETSU, he teed it up in four collegiate events during the fall season, with a T-32 finish at the Windon Memorial Classic in September marking his best showing.
The Gauteng North Open attracted a strong field of 156 players, with only 66 surviving the 36-hole cut.
ABOUT THE
Gauteng North Open Amateur
72 hole stroke play championship with a cut
after 36 holes. Open to any male Amateur who is a full
member of a Golf Club
affiliated to a Union recognised by the S.A.G.A. and
who at the time of submitting this entry
shall have a handicap index of 4 or less.
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