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Warwick Purchase: Image Credit Sunshine Tour Images

SUNSHINE Tour rookie Warwick Purchase described his maiden victory as an overwhelming experience following his two-shot win over Luis Carrera and Kyle Barker at the Fortress Invitational at Glendower Golf Club in South Africa on Sunday.

Purchase, who faced tough competition in the final round, said the victory marked the achievement of a long-held goal. He carded 19-under-par 269 to claim top honours.

“I’m so happy to get the job done. There were a couple of doubts going into the back nine and I had a bit of a tricky finish coming in,” said an emotional Purchase. “I’m really proud of myself. I fought hard and dug deep. Right now, I’m a bit overwhelmed but I’m so overjoyed. I’ve had a tough time the last few months on the golf course, so to go on and do it this week, it’s awesome.” Purchase went into the tournament having missed the cut in his previous four events on the Sunshine Tour, and admitted it felt incredibly rewarding to finally break through with a maiden victory. “Right now, it means absolutely everything to me. It’s obviously a goal and something I have been working towards. That’s why we practice every day and why we get up every morning. I’m really happy,” Purchase said. Purchase entered the final round holding a three-shot lead over Barker and signed for a closing two-under-par 70, which was just enough to fend off the challenge from Carrera and Barker. He recorded five birdies, one bogey, and one double bogey in the final round. His birdies came on holes six, 10, 11, 14, and 18, while he dropped shots on the seventh (double bogey) and 13th (bogey). Earlier in the week, Purchase had carded rounds of 66, 71, and a breathtaking 62. It was that spectacular third-round performance that earned him a three-stroke advantage heading into the final day.

With his victory, Purchase moved into second place behind Carrera on the Fortress Rookie of the Year standings. He has 533.06 points from 13 tournaments while Carrera has 1 154.88 points from 11 tournaments.