Burmester sets new record at Lombard
DEAN Burmester set a new record for the lowest winning total at the Lombard Insurance Classic after carding a Sunday 65 to finish the week on 23-under-par.
“Red 23 is my grandfather’s lucky number and I managed to pull it off. It wasn’t as easy as it looks on the scoreboard. I’m really happy with how the day went and hopefully there are many more like this,” he said.
The four-time Sunshine Tour champ used his distance off the tee to outshine the Royal Swazi Sun Country Club throughout the week and sealed a five-shot win over Keith Horne and Peter Karmis.
“This is a fantastic breeding ground for South African golf,” Burmester said. “Every time you have a victory it secures your place on tour. In world golf people notice when you win tournaments, and it helps you get overseas and move to bigger things.”
The 25-year-old began the day one stroke clear of Jared Harvey and had work to do after he turned in a two-under-par 34, but he produced world-class shots and raced home in 31.
Burmester ranks fifth on the Sunshine Tour Order of Merit and hasn’t missed a cut since the Lion of Africa Cape Town Open in November last year.
This season, he has played 10 tournaments and finished in the top 20 at every one, along with winning the Golden Pilsener Zimbabwe Open and this week’s Lombard Insurance Classic.
“A week like this is massive and long may this good form continue. The putter has been hot all season, so hopefully they keep going in for me,” he said.
Burmester will take a break over the winter months as he and his wife, Mel, prepare for the birth of their first child, a boy expected on July 21.
“I’m going to try to get into some Challenge Tour events in July and also try to qualify for the British Open, but right now I’m just looking to get back to the wife and my little boy who’s on the way,” he said.