Garrick Higgo, whose clutch putting and calm demeanor have become trademarks, won his first European Tour event eight months ago in Portugal, gaining a full exemption.
South African Higgo makes major debut at PGA after two wins
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19/05/2021 - 19:28 South African 22-year-old Garrick Higgo, making his major debut, watches a shot during a practice round at the 103rd PGA Championship at Kiawah Island JAMIE SQUIRE GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA/AFP 3 min
Kiawah Island (United States) (AFP)
Mentored by legend Gary Player and aided by South Africa s recent major winners, 22-year-old Garrick Higgo makes his major debut at the PGA Championship after back-to-back European Tour triumphs.
Higgo comes to Kiawah Island after victories in Spain at last month s Gran Canaria Open and the Canary Islands Championship two weeks ago, jumping to 51st in the world rankings.
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Higgo wins in Canary Islands to match Woods record Associated Press Text size Copy shortlink:
TENERIFE, Spain Garrick Higgo matched Tiger Woods record to become joint quickest to three tournament wins since 1990 with victory at the Canary Islands Championship on Sunday.
The 21-year-old South African had a hole-in-one on his way to a 7-under 64 that secured him his third European Tour title and second in three weeks. It s unreal, I played so well today (Sunday), Higgo said. I hit the ball very nicely so it was a lot less stressful than the last time because I was hitting it a lot better. I can t believe it happened so quickly again but my game has been good so I can believe it as well.
Fellow Scots Calum Hill and Connor Syme were alongside Ramsay and overnight leader Francesco Laporta on 12 under, with England’s Andrew Johnston and Richard Mansell on 11 under with Tenerife Open winner Dean Burmester.
Ramsay, whose last win came in Morocco in 2015, said: “I think when you go out in the first round and shoot a really good score, it’s easy to let your mind rest and suddenly start thinking about winning and what you’re going to do.
“The tough thing is to follow it up so today was almost more impressive for me because I stayed with the present, didn’t think about the future and just stuck to my guns and just picked off my shots.