He did it !!! A HUGE congratulations to Tjaart for securing his European Tour Card at Q-school in Spain. Even though he is the one that ultimately has to get the little white ball in the hole, he couldn't have done it without his 'team' and the never ending support from his family and friends - and for that he is incredibly grateful.
It was a long week for all of the players, 6 rounds is not only tough physically but mentally too. Tjaart approached the week like it was a 6-day stage race, where it's critical to start off steady and solid as a tour card is not secured on the first day! After the first 3 rounds Tjaart found himself in a position on the leader board where he knew he had to go low on day 4 to make the cut and he did just that, he fired a bogey-free round of 64 which took him from a position of +/- 90th on the board to T50th and making the cut by 2 shots. It was impressive to say the least and of course this gave him some confidence for the last two rounds. He then knew that all that was standing between him and a European Tour card was two steady rounds to put him within the magical Top 30 number. After round 5 he moved himself to T40th. He started the final day off well but the putter was a little cold, but once again with Tjaart's accurate tee shots and solid iron play he kept himself 'in the game'. He stayed solid until the ball dropped in on the last hole to finish -7 for the tournament and then the nerve-racking wait for the vd Walt team, and fellow players began, was it enough? During those anxious moments it's hard not to relive the round and think about those putts that lipped out or missed by millimeters..but this time it was meant to be and Tjaart left the course on Thursday achieving what he had set out to do.
Coupled with his good year on the Asian and Sunshine Tours Tjaart has now created more opportunities for 2012. Between now and The Africa Open (5-9 January) Tjaart will be planning his schedule and spending time preparing for the year ahead.
On this note Tjaart and Vicki would like to wish all of you a blessed Christmas and a fantastic 2012.
