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Breakthrough win for Bernhard Koster at Harry Oppenheimer Trophy in South Africa

After finishing runner-up in 2023, the incoming freshman at UAB won in a sudden death playoff after eagling the final hole

Bernhard Koster, 19, from Pretoria, South Africa, clinched victory at the Harry Oppenheimer Trophy at Maccauvlei Golf Club in Vereeniging, South Africa.

Koster secured his win in a thrilling three-way playoff against Stefan Jacobs from Johannesburg and CJ Van Wyk from George. After all three players finished the tournament tied at 10-under 206.

Koster entered the final round in fifth place at 4-under par, while Stefan Jacobs enjoyed a solo lead at a 36-hole score of 9-under 135.

Koster shot a final round of 6-under 66, tying the tournament's lowest score for the week. His round was capped by a crucial eagle on the final hole, which brought him level with Jacobs and Van Wyk, forcing a playoff.

This victory holds special significance for Koster, who had previously finished as a joint runner-up in the tournament in 2023. He will head to UAB now as an incoming freshman for the 2024-25 fall golf season.

Stefan Jacobs, a sophomore at Augusta carded rounds of 68-67-71 and CJ van Wyk, the junior at Toledo carded 72-67-67 to register joint runner-up finish at the tournament.


AmateurGolf.com Rankings
2024 season — official results & points
PosPlayerFromScoresPoints
1Bernhard KosterSouth Af69-71-66=206300
T2Stefan JacobsSouth Af68-67-71=206200
T2C.J. Van WykSouth Af72-67-67=206200
+7 more — Premium members see every point earnedFull Men's National Ranking

AmateurGolf.com Staff

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Reporting and analysis from the AmateurGolf.com editorial team.