GolfRSA International Amateur: Altin van der Merwe wins in a playoff

February 16, 2024 | by Amit Pandey of AmateurGolf.com

Altin van der Merwe (GolfRSA photo)

Van der Merwe, the 2023 AGC Mid-Am Player of the Year, has kept his great play going in 2024

Altin van der Merwe, the No. 1 ranked amateur in South Africa, shot a 12-under to tie with Jack Ingham of the Netherlands. This forced a playoff, ultimately securing Merwe's victory in the GolfRSA International Amateur Championship at Houghton Golf Club in Johannesburg, South Africa.

Merwe's rounds of 68-73-71-64 were matched by Ingham's 70-68-70-68, leading to a playoff on No. 18. Merwe secured victory with a birdie from the bunker on the first playoff hole.

Merwe is no newcomer to winning; he was recently crowned the AGC Mid-Amateur Player of the Year for his outstanding 2023 season, during which he performed exceptionally well. Merwe is also No. 19 in the Golfweek/AmateurGolf.com World Rankings.

Related: THE 2023 AGC MID-AM PLAYER OF THE YEAR: ALTIN VAN DER MERWE

Last year, he participated in 20 ranked events, securing four victories - the Boland Amateur Stroke Play Championship, Western Province Amateur, KwaZulu-Natal Amateur Championship, and Mpumalanga Open. Additionally, he achieved five more top-10 finishes, marking an exceptional season in his career.

Notably, he attained a runner-up position at the Scottish Men’s Open Championship and a 17th place finish at the St. Andrews Links Trophy while representing South Africa. Furthermore, he contributed to the South African team at the World Amateur Team Championship-Eisenhower Trophy, achieving a commendable 24th place finish in Abu Dhabi, UAE.

Scotland’s Gregor Ingham claimed third place with rounds of 73-70-65-70, finishing at 10-under.

In the team competition, Team South Africa, led by Jordan Burnand, Altin van der Merwe, Dan Bennett, Ivan Verster, and manager Thinus Labuschagne, posted a total of 635 (208-214-213), securing the GolfRSA International Amateur Team title and adding to South Africa's celebration.

The tournament drew 96 amateurs from diverse countries such as the Netherlands, Scotland, France, Denmark, Sweden, Morocco, Ireland, Zimbabwe, Wales, Italy, South Korea, Serbia, Germany, and the USA.

Results: GolfRSA International Amateur

Place	Player	Location	Pts	Scores
1	Altin Van Der Merwe	, South Africa	700	68-73-71-64=276
2	Jack Ingham	, Netherlands	500	70-68-70-68=276
3	Gregor Graham	, Scotland	400	73-70-65-70=278
T4	Dian Kruger	, South Africa	400	66-72-70-71=279
T4	Jordan Burnand	, South Africa	400	72-70-69-68=279

View full results for GolfRSA International Amateur

About the GolfRSA International Amateur

GolfRSA International Amateur: Altin van der Merwe wins in a playoff

Formerly known as the African Amateur Stroke Play, this is a 72-hole South African Golf Association event started in 2016 that brings together a highly competitive international field. Cut is made to the low 65 players after the third round.