Barend Botha birdies final two holes to win Commissionaires Ottawa Open

OTTAWA, Ontario – Barend Botha claimed his first professional victory at the Commissionaires Ottawa Open after carding a final round 5-under 67 to get to 26-under for the tournament.

After an opening round 9-under 63 that put the rookie in solo third, Botha took sole possession of the lead after 36 holes and didn’t relinquish it. Botha made back-to-back birdies on Nos. 17-18 to secure his first professional win on Sunday.

After a successful collegiate career that concluded with a Mid-American Conference (MAC) individual title, Botha was prepared for the opportunity to earn his first win as a professional.

“I was pretty confident,” Botha said. “My swing felt good, everything felt good, headspace was good, so stepping up on that first tee I was pretty confident… I smoked one on the second (hole) and made a good birdie and the adrenaline started getting going.”

Botha secured exempt status for the North America Swing after earning medalist honors at PGA TOUR Americas Q-School at Soboba Spring Golf Course in San Jacinto, California. A native of George, South Africa, Botha earned status after finishing his senior year at the University of Toledo, where he was named the MAC Golfer of the Year for the second consecutive year.

It didn’t take long for the South African to start racking up accolades once he started his collegiate career. Botha was named the 2020-21 MAC Freshman of the Year after leading the Rockets in stroke average (73.5) and rounds at par or better (seven). Botha was named to the All-MAC First-Team four consecutive times, and led Toledo in scoring average each year, setting the program record for best stroke average in 2022-23 (70.5).

Botha made his PGA TOUR Americas debut at the Bromont Open presented by Desjardins. With the win, Botha moves to No. 13 in the Fortinet Cup points list.

Botha is expected to be in the field at the BioSteel Championship at Ambassador Golf Club, where he will make his third start as a professional.

About Barend Botha (first/26-under) 

Age: 22
Birthplace: George, South Africa
Residence: Toledo, Ohio
College: University of Toledo
Fortinet Cup: 13th

• With the win, Botha is exempt through the 2025 Latin America Swing.
• Earned medalist honors at the PGA TOUR Americas Q-School in San Jacinto, California to earn membership for the North America Swing.
• First-Team All-MAC selection for four consecutive years.
• MAC Golfer of the Year in 2022-23 and 2023-24.
• Set the Toledo single-season stroke average record (70.5) in 2022-23.
• Won MAC Freshman of the Year honors in 2020-21 after posting a team-low scoring average.
• Claimed the individual MAC Championship in back-to-back years (2022-23, 2023-24).
• Became the second player in Toledo program history to compete as an individual at NCAA Regionals multiple times.

Competition Notes 

Course Setup: par 72, 7,032 yards
Weather: Sunny with a high of 85F. Wind from the northwest at 1-5 mph with gusts up to 10 mph.  

• Barend Botha earned his first professional win at the 2024 Commissionaires Ottawa Open; Botha earned exempt status for the North America swing after earning medalist honors at PGA TOUR Americas Q-School.
• Botha moves to No. 13 in the Fortinet Cup points list; The South African was T219 at the beginning of the week.
• Botha is the eighth player to win his first professional event this season; Botha joins Clay Feagler, Matthew Anderson, Thomas Longbella, Harry Hillier, Frederik Kjettrup, Ian Holt and Ryan Burnett.
• Three countries are represented in the top five and ties: the United States (3), South Africa (1) and Chinese-Taipei (1).
• Joey Savoie was the low Canadian (T6/23-under); Colombia’s Ricardo Celia (T15/19-under) was the low Latin.
• After earning a spot in the field through the Monday qualifier, Connor Creasy earned a spot in the field at the BioSteel Championship after finishing T2 (25-under).
• Hole No. 15 – the 205-yard par 3 – was the most challenging hole at Eagle Creek Golf Club in the final round; averaging a +.100.