Daffue Holds Firm for Delhi Triumph
Composure, patience and a decisive burst on the back nine deliver a hard-earned victory in Gurugram.
Paju, Korea - MJ Daffue combined resilience with belief to secure a dramatic one-shot victory at the DP World PGTI Open, closing with a bogey-free 69 to finish at 21 under par at Classic Golf & Country Club.
The South African, who began the final day with a four-shot cushion, was tested throughout a tense Sunday but responded with the kind of control that has defined his recent rise. The win marks his second HotelPlanner Tour title in just two months and lifts him to the top of the Road to Mallorca Rankings.
“I’m really pleased,” Daffue said. “The first one gets something off your back, but this time, I believed I could do it.
“I knew I was comfortable, and I have brought some momentum from the last few weeks.
“I’ve been patient. I’ve been working with a sports psychologist, and my moto has been ‘dogged, determination and patience’ and that helped me out there today.”
Daffue’s path to victory began earlier in the day when he returned to complete his third round, signing for a 67 to reach 18 under par and maintain control heading into the final round.
The closing stretch, however, demanded nerve. After a steady but unspectacular start that saw him reach the turn level through eight holes, Daffue found his moment. A birdie at the ninth settled him before a decisive eagle at the par-five 14th provided the separation he needed.
“It wasn’t easy. The greens were a bit tricky, but I made some great swings, and my eagle was probably my only putt outside of six feet today.
“Momentum is a funny thing; it comes and goes. I have never shot an eleven under in a tournament, so all facets of my play were going well. I was putting well earlier on in the week, and I adjusted well to the course.”
Behind him, America’s Jhared Hack and India’s Saptak Talwar applied pressure to the finish, sharing second place at 20 under par, while Austria’s Lucas Nemecz finished alone in third, one shot further back.
The victory reshapes the season-long standings, with Daffue moving into first place on the Road to Mallorca. England’s Will Enefer climbs to second, with MJ Viljoen slipping to third, followed by Deon Germishuys and Davis Bryant.
With momentum now firmly on his side, Daffue heads to Italy for the next stop on the Road to Mallorca knowing that patience and belief — his guiding principles — are delivering tangible rewards.