Erik van Rooyen’s walk-off eagle PGA Tour win can have you crying

Typically, issues in life are far greater than golf.

Sunday on the World Huge Know-how Championship was a type of situations. Erik Van Rooyen fired off a last spherical 63 to complete at 27-under par and earn his second profession PGA Tour occasion. However that’s not what left him so emotional afterwards.

The 33-year-old sank a clutch 20-foot eagle putt on the par-5 18th to return residence in 28 strokes and beat a red-hot Matt Kuchar by two photographs.

He performed for one thing higher than himself this week, which motivated him to complete the job. After his spherical, the emotional South African broke down in tears as he spoke with the Golf Channel.

“There’s greater stuff in life than golf,” van Rooyen mentioned. “In the event you take a look at my ball, we acquired little music notes on there and initials J.T. It’s for Jon Trasamar, our greatest buddy who has melanoma and isn’t going to make it. Each shot on the market right now was for him, and whenever you’re taking part in for one thing greater than successful some foolish trophy, it places it into perspective.”

“On the finish of the day, whether or not I received or misplaced right here, it didn’t matter. When one thing motivates you want that, whether or not you make or miss a putt, who cares?”

As soon as that ball fell into the opening, the emotional wall he had been holding up all day got here down with it. All week lengthy, he needed to hold these feelings in verify on the golf course.

“I shot 8-under on Friday. I get to my lodge room, and I break down in tears. I wasn’t that calm on a regular basis, however once I step onto the golf course, I’ve acquired a job to do,” van Rooyen mentioned teary-eyed. “That’s what it comes all the way down to — do your job. Now, we will rejoice, cry, and do no matter, however till that final putt drops — its focus, and do it for Trassie.”

The previous Minnesota Gopher made a bogey on the opening gap, however after that, he regained focus to make the flip at 1-under.

As soon as he reached the again 9, van Rooyen went nuclear. He made birdie or higher on seven of these 9 holes.

This victory will get him a number of perks.

Van Rooyen will now play within the 2024 Sentry Event of Champions, has an exemption into The Gamers and can have taking part in standing by the 2025 season.

Nonetheless, these issues don’t imply as a lot proper now.

“When one thing like this occurs the place your greatest buddy who was greatest man in my marriage ceremony, what’s it, 9 years in the past now, when he’s hit with melanoma, it places issues in perspective whereas golf doesn’t actually matter,” he mentioned.

“After I’m 80 years previous, if I get to that age and look again, if I misplaced it [the tournament], I definitely wouldn’t bear in mind it. I’m going to recollect the folks I hung out with, the folks I really like, and he’s definitely considered one of them, so I stay up for seeing him.”

Picture by Hector Vivas/Getty Pictures

Moments like these make folks fall deeper in love with sports activities. These instances that see athletes dig deep and do unbelievable issues.

Now that he has accomplished the job in Mexico, Van Rooyen and his caddie, Alex Gaugert, will fly to Minnesota on Monday to see their greatest buddy. They’ll have the ability to rejoice this victory and spend no matter time they’ve left with him.

Savannah Leigh Richardson is a golf employees author for SB Nation’s Enjoying Via. You may comply with her on Twitter @SportsGirlSL and Instagram @savannah_leigh_sports for extra golf protection. Be sure you take a look at @_PlayingThrough too.