Erik van Rooyen secured his second PGA Tour title at the World Wide Technology Championship in Los Cabos, Mexico, on Sunday.
The 33-year-old South African golfer put forth an impressive performance that culminated in a back-nine 28 at El Cardonal at Diamante, highlighted by an 18-foot eagle putt. This stunning surge allowed him to overtake competitors like Matt Kuchar, winning by two strokes.
However, a struggle in his personal life overshadowed van Rooyen’s victory. His college teammate, Jon Trasamar, is facing a terminal cancer battle. Van Rooyen openly acknowledged this emotional burden, noting that his performance was a tribute to Trasamar, evident in the initials ‘JT’ marked on his ball.
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Gold Digest reports that, despite the weight of his friend’s illness, van Rooyen’s skills shone brightly. Starting the final day just a stroke behind leaders Kuchar and Camilo Villegas, his back-nine performance was a testament to his focus and ability, particularly in the face of personal adversity.
The win, while financially rewarding, held a deeper significance for van Rooyen. It was less about the accolades or the prize and more about honouring a dear friend.
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‘When I’m 80 years old, if I get to that age and I look back, if I lost it, I certainly wouldn’t remember it. I’m going to remember the people that I spent time with, the people that I love, and he’s certainly one of them.’
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Picture: @FredVR_ / X