Tibshraeny claims memorable maiden Humewood club title

Tiaan Tibshraeny, middle, celebrates his victory in the Humewood Golf Club A section championships, which he won at his first try. With him are caddie Tyler Watts, left, and Humewood golf operations manager Dylan Reid, right.

Madibaz student Tiaan Tibshraeny made his first appearance in the Humewood Golf Club Championships one to remember by defeating eight-time champion Michael Holden 3&2 in the 36-hole final recently.

In a gripping contest on Gqeberha’s famous links course the pair were all square through 31 holes before a series of costly mistakes by the defending champion on 14, 15 and 16 allowed Tibshraeny to seize control.

It was a gutsy performance by the 23-year-old against one of the club’s most accomplished players. Holden shares the record of eight titles with the late Alan Jackson.

The victory carried extra significance for Tibshraeny after being unable to compete in the past.

“I always had other commitments, so to win in my first appearance is very special. It’s such an honour to play at Humewood with all its history and against such a tough competitor as Mike.”

The Madibaz star always expected a tough battle.

“Against him you know it’s always going to be close. Nobody is going to run away with it. You may be one up or two up and then suddenly you’re one or two down again.”

In the end, it was the putter that scripted Tibshraeny’s success.

“We can both keep the ball in play but eventually you have to get it into the hole. The greens were rolling beautifully and I was pleased to hole a couple of crucial putts.”

One of those came on the ninth of the second round when the human movement science student dropped a 12-foot birdie to move one up after Holden could only manage par.

The momentum swung immediately when Tibshraeny’s approach on the par-four 10^th drifted long and left, resulting in a bogey, while Holden made par to square the match once more.

The decisive moment came four holes later when the champion overshot the green on the par-three 14th and could only salvage a bogey. The Madibaz star calmly two-putted from long range for par to edge back in front.

Further drama followed on the par-five 15th when Holden pushed his drive into the bushes on the left and was forced to reload from the tee.

Although Tibshraeny appeared set to take full advantage, he momentarily opened the door with a poor second shot into the left greenside bunker.

Holden still had an opportunity to halve the hole after leaving his approach about 20 feet from the flag, but his par putt slipped by. The Mandela University golfer kept his composure to save par and extend his lead to two.

Needing something special, Holden attacked the drivable par-four 16th but pulled his tee shot into the bushes on the right. After taking a penalty drop, he was unable to save par.

Tibshraeny’s drive finished pin-high to the right of the green and he comfortably negotiated the hole, prompting his opponent to concede the match with two holes remaining.

Reflecting on the closing stretch, Tibshraeny admitted there was one moment where he briefly lost clarity.

“I have to admit I wasn’t fully present with my thinking on the 15th for my second shot. I was in two minds about going for the green or laying up because Mike was in trouble, and I didn’t make a firm decision.

Despite holding a two-hole advantage, though, there was never any doubt over his strategy on the 16^th.

“My caddie, Tyler Watts, and I agreed it wasn’t the time to lay up. By the second round I had started driving the ball much better and I was confident I could shape the shot the way I wanted.”