The illustrious Fitch & Leedes PGA Championship carries a remarkable legacy. This tournament transforms lives, shapes careers, and builds legends. As one of South African professional golf’s enduring icons, it continues to write extraordinary stories. On Sunday at St Francis Links, Deon Germishuys authored his own chapter in this magnificent history.
Germishuys delivered a masterful final round of 69 to capture South Africa’s second-oldest professional golf tournament at 14 under par, finishing one stroke ahead of Samuel Simpson and Hennie du Plessis.
The victory grants him the privilege of engraving his name on a trophy that already bears the names of Gary Player, Dale Hayes, John Bland, Corey Pavin, Ernie Els, David Frost, Nick Price, Louis Oosthuizen, and countless other legends.
More importantly, this triumph secures his future on the Sunshine Tour, allowing him to continue pursuing his passion.
Deon Germishuys (right) and his caddie, Jason Scheepers.
Photo: Carl Fourie/Sunshine Tour.
After dedicating himself to the DP World Tour but falling short and losing his playing privileges, Germishuys returned to familiar fairways without tournament access. He desperately sought invitations to prestigious events. Then Sunday arrived at one of South African golf’s most celebrated championships, and suddenly opportunity stretched endlessly before him.
“This victory means everything to me. I never believed I could win at this golf course. Somehow, I could never master it. But I’ve clearly solved that puzzle now. Seeing all the legendary names on this trophy makes this truly an honour,” Germishuys explained.
With his young family watching, tears streamed down his face as he added, “Having them here means the world to me.”
Thousands of kilometres away in Cambodia, his father-in-law James Kingston watched from a Legends Tour event, also moved to tears. Kingston could not have received a better 60th birthday present than witnessing his son-in-law claim such a monumental victory.
Kingston understands the transformative power of such moments.
In 2007, after nearly two decades of perseverance, he secured his first DP World Tour title at the South African Open. That Sunday, he defeated a field featuring Darren Clarke, Greg Norman, and Ernie Els. When victory arrived, he too succumbed to tears.
Decades later, Germishuys demonstrated his own character by adding his name to South African golf’s most prestigious trophy.
For Sunshine Tour Sundays, this day will forever remain memorable for this golfing family’s extraordinary triumph.
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