Johannes Veerman was five shots back to win the Nedbank Golf Challenge by one shot for his second DP World Tour title, while South Africa's Aldridge Aldrich Potgieter's late performance was disappointing.
American Wellman started the final round five strokes behind his South African rival but closed with a 69 (-3) on a particularly tough Gary Player Country Club course in Sun City. The wonderful results are slowly drifting away from those players who are close to the top.
Wellman had six birdies and three bogeys to lead the club at 5 under, about a half-hour before Pogett finished.
Victory was all but within reach for the 20-year-old Potgett, who held a three-shot lead on the back nine before double-bogeying the front nine and triple-bogging the par-3 12th. After bogey, his bunt failed late.
After regaining the lead by one shot on the 16th hole, Potgett bogeyed two of the final three holes and missed the playoff.
Aldirch Potgieter missed the putt to force a playoff, meaning Johannes Veerman clinched his second Tour title 🙌 #NGC2024 pic.twitter.com/aHKEu8s6smDecember 8, 2024
However, Potgett's misfortune pleased Wellman, with the 32-year-old gushing: “Me, my caddies and my family, who have sacrificed so much to be here with me all last year Road trip.
“It took a lot of sacrifice to have your friends and family support me.
“I haven't had the best season the last two years. We and my team have put in a lot of hard work – countless hours. To win this season and to start the season with a win is indescribable.”
It was a rocky start for the 2021 Czech Masters champion, with Wellman birdying and bogeying back-to-back holes between the second and sixth holes.
He birdied the ninth hole for a 34 and then built further momentum on 11 and 14.
“My caddies and my family have made huge sacrifices to be on the road with me. It's indescribable.” Listen to an emotional Johannes Veerman 🥹# NGC2024 pic.twitter.com/G7pKTdPVQwDecember 8, 2024
However, an untimely bogey on the par-3 16th ended that run, and Wellman later admitted that he thought his outside chances of winning might have evaporated at that moment.
Perhaps feeling the pressure was off at the time, he stayed dangerous in par on the final two holes and headed to the driving range to stay loose in case Potgett made a mistake.
The misses came as Wellman celebrated his second DP World Tour victory on his debut at the Nedbank Golf Challenge.
Wellman wins 2021 D+D Royal Czech Masters
(Image source: Getty Images)
He said: “I knew I had a chance [late on] But I actually thought I might have lost on 16 when I three-putted and missed the putt. That one sure hurt, but it turns out it didn’t matter at all! “
Potgett finished tied for second with Matthew Jordan and Roman Langeske at 4 under, while Denmark's Torbjorn Olsen was one stroke back in the top five.
Seven players tied for sixth in the tournament at 2 under, including Corey Conners, Mackenzie Hughes and Christian Bezuidenhow Christiaan Bezuidenhout and others have achieved excellent results.
Jorge Campillo ended the week at one under par, finishing 13 of the 66 players at one under.
