Gomez wins thriller in Hawaii as South Africa unearths a new star

Post by Sports Writer, Derek Clements

ANOTHER young South African star emerged as Haydn Porteous secured his maiden victory on the European Tour by winning the Joburg Open and, in the process, securing a place in The Open Championship at Royal Troon last this year.

Like Brandon Stone, winner of the South African Open, Porteous appears to have the lot. The 22-year-old has a long, languid swing, hits the ball a mile and putts beautifully, with an uncanny ability to drain the putts that really matter. He sailed through the Challenge Tour in 2015, securing his tour card with a victory in Kenya.

This win should surprise nobody as many people have been predicting a quick breakthrough for the young man. South African golf has enjoyed the rivalry between Retief Goosen and Ernie Els for more than 20 years. Stone, Porteous and Branden Grace look ready to carry the mantle for the next 10 years at least.

Porteous was utterly in control of his game from start to finish after beginning the day tied for the lead. Anthony Wall, of England, had hoped it was going to be his day but he could only record a final round of 72 to finish on 15 under par in joint third place. He was disappointed but it represents a solid start to the year for the big Englishman.

The South African didn't make a single mistake all day long, missing just one fairway all day long and hitting every green in regulation. He came to the 18th two ahead, split the fairway with his drive and then rifled his approach to the par five to 15 feet. It meant he was able to enjoy his walk to the green, knowing the title was in the bag. He two-putted for a birdie to finish with a 69, an 18-under-par winning total of 270 and a two-stroke victory. Like Stone last week, Porteous struggled to keep his emotions in check as he celebrated with his parents, caddie and girlfriend.

Zander Lombard had his chances to win but suffered on the greens. However, on the eve of his 21st birthday, the South African birdied the last for a 71 that secured second place on 16 under and he, too, will be heading to Troon in July. The third Open place on offer went to Wall.

"Words can't describe how I feel," Porteous said. "It just means so much to me. I have been battling with my game these past few months. There has been a lot of sweat and tears as I have tried to turn things around, and it finally paid off today. Zander, who is a good friend of mine, also proved himself today. I feel great."

There was an even bigger surprise on the PGA Tour, with Fabian Gomez winning the Sony Open at Waialae Country Club after a playoff with Brandt Snedeker. Gomez had a fabulous final round of 62 that included seven successive birdies and 10 in all, including one at the par five 18th that got him into the playoff. He secured the title at the second playoff hole, the 18th, with yet another birdie to cap a week he will not forget in a hurry. He is only the fourth Argentinian to win more than once on the PGA TOur, joining Roberto de Vicenzo, Jose Coceres and Angel Cabrera. Emiliano Grillo won the first event of the 2015-16 season. He is also from Argentina and will surely soon join that list.

Highlights from the 2016 Sony Open

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TJEYHyoyQ78

But this was Gomez's week. The victory was the second of his career, less than a year after his first, at last season’s FedEx St. Jude Classic.

“I'm really, really happy,” he said. “I felt good all week long and was able to put on a great round today.”

It was his second successive top 10, after finishing in a tie for sixth at the Hyundai Tournament of Champions. His 62 also matched the lowest final round in tournament history, tying Ernie Els’ mark from 2005, Rory Sabbatini in 2006 and Retief Goosen in 2010.

He got to 20 under par but dropped shots at the 13th and 14th and had to dig deep for two more birdies to get him back to 20 under. “I never actually had a doubt about it, about myself or my swing,” he said. “I knew I needed to make birdies coming in. I knew it was going to be really low to get it done, and I sort of let that go away and kept going.”

With his victory, Gomez moved to 55th in the world rankings and is now in position to represent Argentina at the Olympic Games in Brazil. “I'm really excited about being able to get in the Olympics,” he said. “My main goal, I work hard to be able to win, but I know that by winning I will be able to reach that.”

Gomez was born in Chaco, one of the poorest provinces in Argentina, and started as a caddie. He perfected his swing and his talent by playing fellow caddies with the money he  earned from caddying and also cutting grass, which paid more.

“They would go out there and make more money, but you have to learn no matter what because you have to win,” Gomez said about his matches against the other caddies.

Gomez joined the Web.com Tour, winning the Louisiana Open in 2010 before finishing 12th on the money list to earn his PGA TOUR card for the following season. He failed to keep it but regained it at qualifying school the following December.

Gomez finished 2013 in 133rd place in the FedExCup standings, but he had another good year on the Web.com Tour to get back to the PGA Tour in 2015 and now he looks here to stay.