JOHANNESBURG — Dean Burmester posted a four-under 68 in the final round of the South African Open Championship to extend his winning streak on home soil.
Burmester started Sunday two strokes off the lead. He made six birdies and two bogeys in difficult conditions, finishing with a total of 11 under par and winning by three strokes. He won the Joburg Open last week.
Italy’s Renato Paratore (70), Sweden’s Jesper Svensson (71) and South Africa’s Ryan van Velzen (73) tied for second place.
Van Velsen shared the overnight lead with compatriot Jaden Schaper (74), who finished tied for fifth with a total of 7 under par.
Burmester, 34, currently has four wins on the DP World Tour.
“Keep going. I’ve never done anything like that before, so it was special. As a South African, it’s obviously a win that I’ve always wanted to win,” said Burmester. “This is the tournament I watched as a kid and I’ve seen a lot of legends.”
He was feeling unwell on Friday and appeared to be in danger of missing out or having to withdraw from the tournament. But Burmester shot a 74 and carried that number through the weekend, and on Saturday he shot a 65 to join the competition.
Burmester said it was special to win this week with his family watching.
“Last week I won, but my family wasn’t there,” he said. “I won this week and my wife and two kids came too. So just having my two sons come out and see me come forward and make my dreams come true means it all. I mean, that’s what it’s all about, so I’m very grateful.”
Burmester and former Masters champion Charl Schwartzel were the only LIV golfers in the field. Schwartzel shot a 76 on Sunday and finished the tournament tied for 45th at even par.
The only player in the top 100 in the rankings was No. 85 Thriston Lawrence of South Africa, who shot a 5-under 67 in Sunday’s best round. He finished the tournament tied for 10th place with a total of 6 under par.
This was the second of three consecutive events in South Africa to open the European Tour’s 2024 season. Burmester will be aiming for his third straight victory at next week’s Alfred Dunhill Championship.