South African golfer Okkie Strydom was edged out by Korea’s Huyn Park in the IGT Tour’s fifth Race to USA at the Dainfern Estate and Country Club on Wednesday.
The 22-year-old Park claimed his second Race to the USA title with a final round 70. Strydom shared the first round lead with the Korean, but a costly second round 74 hurt his chances.
The 29-year-old Kempton Park golfer retaliated with a six-under-par 66 in the final round to finish a shot shy of Park’s winning total of eight-under-par 208.
Cape Town’s Lean Boezaart clocked in with a 71 to finish in third on four under 212, while Rob Menzies from England claimed fourth on 213 with a closing 68.
Park had to withstand severe pressure from Strydom but held his nerve to claim the victory.
“Okkie was two under at the turn, but after he eagled the 12th, the gap closed considerably and I really started to feel the pressure,” Park said.
“I was very solid golf tee to green throughout the round, but I just wasn’t making a lot of birdies. I just told myself to stick to my own game and not to think about what he was doing.
“I am really proud that I held up under the pressure to win.”
