Kyle Barker overturned a nine-shot deficit and then won a playoff to claim his third Sunshine Tour title in the Limpopo Championship on Sunday.
Related: Cole Stevens in pole position at Limpopo Championship
“This is the best moment of my life so far in my golfing career, seeing as I just became a dad three months ago,” a delighted Barker said as he held his first trophy since 2023.
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It was a roller-coaster final round at the Euphoria Golf & Country Estate, with the lead changing hands a few times. When the dust settled Barker had produced a measured final round of 68 to make it into the clubhouse on nine under par.
Cole Stevens, the overnight leader by five shots, struggled on the final day with a closing 77 to also finish on nine under.
Barker then took the title with a par on the first playoff hole against the double bogey of Stevens.
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“I don’t know how this one happened today to be honest. I had no expectations going into the round. To find myself in a playoff with such a good player like Cole Stevens was amazing,” said Barker.
“That last putt, geez, I couldn’t feel my body as I was shaking so much. I took a little bit more line just in case I pulled it a bit, which I did, but it dropped right in the middle.”
For Stevens, it may not have been the result he wanted but it was another powerful affirmation of his status as a rising star on the Sunshine Tour following his finish of tied third in the recent Rwanda Open.
“Cole, your time is coming. Just keep plugging away, you are very good,” Barker told Stevens after the round.
Siphiwe Sithole was awarded the Sunshine Tour caddie medallion as the winning caddie of the tournament.
