Bolton wins maiden Big Easy title at Ebotse
[Friday, January 23, 2026 09:39:56]
England’s Jake Bolton shot five-under 67 in the final round of the 10th Betway Big Easy Tour event held at Ebotse Links to total eight-under for the week, and claim a come-from-behind two-shot victory on Thursday.
Bolton was two shots off the pace at the start of the final round and knew that a victory was within grasp as he stood over his ball on the first tee. A bogey-free front nine 32 set the tone for Bolton and the Englishman knew that an equally-consistent back nine would aid him greatly in his pursuit of his first professional win.
Coming home, the 27-year-old Bolton showed patience and good timing as he navigated the homeward nine with some expertise; making two birdies and a single drop en route to career-boosting triumph.
"This is my first pro win,” said Bolton after his round. “I turned pro in 2021 after the Walker Cup and right now, I’m just over the moon. I can't explain how I’m feeling at the moment. All the graft, everything that goes into the daily process to get better, and finally I got over the line.
“I knew I had to get off to a fast start. I made an early birdie and made an important par just off the second green and that kind of settled the nerves a little bit. And then, I just kicked off from there. Then, I sort of relied on my experience a little bit. I previously won as an amateur, so that kind of experience always helps when it's pressure time. Even though winning as an amateur and winning as a professional are different things, I kind of leaned on that experience and I got it done.”
The pair of Oliver Goldhill and Andrew Williamson, who finished two strokes off the top and as runners up, will be gutted for not being able to get the job. However, they will both be encouraged by their respective efforts on the day. Williamson impressed with a near-perfect 65 to get it to six-under while Goldhill’s 71 was enough to hand him another second-place finish.
Now, with this event being the last of the regular season, all eyes will turn to next week’s Play Off at Modderfontein Golf Club where only the top 50 players on the Order of Merit are eligible. Bolton has moved up to 22nd on the standings, Goldhill is fifth while Williamson is 26th. All three players will be at Modderfontein next week.
The Betway Big Easy Tour is the Sunshine Tour’s feeder circuit and enjoys the support of the legendary Ernie Els, among other patrons.
Scores
208 - Jake Bolton 70 71 67
210 - Andrew Williamson 73 72 65
210 - Oliver Goldhill 69 70 71
211 - Ethan Gough 69 72 70
211 - Dillon Germshuys 73 68 70
212 - Andrew McLardy 73 70 69
212 - Bradley De Beer 68 72 72, Tristan Leonard 68 71 73
213 - Andre De Decker 69 72 72
213 - Louis Liebenberg 73 66 74
214 - Nicko Venter 72 71 71
214 - Thanda Mavundla 73 69 72
215 - Ronald Rugumayo 76 70 69
215 - Travis Ladner 72 69 74, Austin Cherichella 68 71 76
216 - Drikus Joubert 75 72 69
216 - Reece Mc Kain 74 71 71, Richard Joubert 74 71 71
217 - Kian Coetzer 69 76 72
217 - Philip Geerts 69 76 72, Vuyisani Makama 69 71 77
218 - Grant Ferreira 75 72 71
218 - Romano Saincic 78 66 74, Travis Procter 72 72 74
219 - Sean Cronje 75 72 72
219 - Jonathan Ackerman 73 73 73, Hannes Strooh 70 75 74
221 - Tiago Jorge Swart 77 70 74
221 - Shaheed Patel 74 73 74
222 - Lwazi Gqira 72 75 75
223 - Therion Nel 72 75 76
226 - Jason Froneman 73 71 82
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