Veerman wins in South Africa after Potgieter bogeys last hole

SUN CITY, SOUTH AFRICA - DECEMBER 08: Johannes Veerman of the United States poses with the trophy on the 18th green following victory on day four of the Nedbank Golf Challenge 2025 at Gary Player CC on December 08, 2024 in Sun City, South Africa.
Warren Little / Getty Images Sport / Getty

SUN CITY, South Africa (AP) — American golfer Johannes Veerman claimed his second title on the European tour after winning the Nedbank Golf Challenge in South Africa by one shot following a bogey on the 72nd hole by home favorite Aldrich Potgieter on Sunday.

Veerman had finished his final round of 3-under 69 about an hour before the 20-year-old Potgieter came down No. 18, needing a birdie for the win or a par to force a playoff at the tournament known as “Africa's Major.”

Instead, he pushed his approach into rough near the grandstand beside the green, chipped on — after a free drop — to 10 feet, and missed the par putt.

The 209th-ranked Veerman, whose other win came at the Czech Masters in 2021, celebrated the victory on the driving range, where he was preparing for a potential playoff. He started the final round five strokes back at Gary Player Country Club.

The 32-year-old Californian shot 5-under 283 for the tournament. Potgieter, who held a three-shot overnight lead, shot 75 and was tied for second place with Matthew Jordan (72) and Romain Langasque (71).

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AP golf: https://apnews.com/hub/golf

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