Staff WriterThe Welsh Golf Open rolled into Conwy Golf Club this week, and what a spectacle it turned out to be as England’s Jamie Van Wyk shot a blistering -10 across four rounds to claim the crown.
Van Wyk’s triumph at the Welsh Golf Open wasn’t just about the numbers; it was a masterclass in composure, guts, and a touch of Lancashire flair.
Conwy’s Links Throw Down the Gauntlet
From the moment the sun peeked over the Irish Sea on Thursday, Conwy’s undulating fairways and tempestuous greens demanded respect.
Conwy laughs at anyone who thinks they can muscle their way around. Only the boldest would dare tame this course, and by Sunday evening, Van Wyk had done just that.
A stunning -3 across the front nine of his final round vaulted him into the lead, and despite Conwy’s notorious closing holes, he never looked back.
Thriving Under Pressure
Reflecting on his performance, Van Wyk didn’t mince words: “I’m extremely happy, over the moon. I feel like it’s been a long time coming.
I’ve put myself in contention a few times over the last 12 months like in the Lytham Trophy last year and at a few events in Australia at the start of the year.
I feel like I’ve gained enough experience to know how to feel under pressure and coming down the stretch at the end of the tournament, I really thrived in that position at Conwy.
The finish at Conwy is tough. You can’t really just cruise into the finish, you’ve got to build your score.
I started strong but then built my score throughout the mid-part of the round and then sort of hung on at the end, especially 16 and 17, probably two of the tightest holes you’ll ever play in golf. It didn’t help playing 17 straight into a strong 20mph wind to finish!
It was good going down the last knowing you’re looking set for victory and while it’s a shorter hole and was downwind, obviously there’s still trouble and you want to make sure that you play the hole well.
It was unbelievable having a lot of my mates there from Lancashire, the team, but the lads stayed behind, even for a few hours after their rounds, and came out to watch the last few holes – and I got drenched on the last green as they all ran on and celebrated so it was great!
It was also great to have my dad there supporting all day too. In the prize presentation, I explained that dad was there to ball spot, but he didn’t really do much because he can’t see very well! But it was good to have him there for my first national win, my first big win – a 72-hole national event, so I’m absolutely buzzing.”
That candid clarity reveals why the Welsh Golf Open is already etched as a turning point in Van Wyk’s emerging career.
Moments That Sealed the Victory
The swing of the tournament came on the 54th hole of the third round, a birdie that catapulted him into the final group. Van Wyk elaborated:
“Birdieing the last hole on the third round after bogeying 17, to make sure I was tied for the lead, was a big moment, getting me into the final group on the final day, because you know how much every single shot counts when you come down the stretch.
The front nine of the final round – I’ve been in that position a few times before. I know how important it is to get off to a strong start in the final round.
I holed a 36-foot left-to-righter on the 1st which was a great start to the day to set the tone and show that I was there to try and win it.
I missed chances on 2 and 3, but made a great up-and-down on 5 and birdied 7 after being in the rough in a divot.
Even though I was 3-under through 10, it felt like I should have been a couple better.
I short-sided myself on 11 but gave myself a chance at par and even though I didn’t make it, I thought to myself in that moment, if this was the worst thing that could happen today, I’d take it!
Every round of golf isn’t perfect and you just have to minimise errors and keep yourself right in the tournament.
I made a great up-and-down from a swale on 13, a tricky hole into wind where I had to hit a 5-iron in, and made a crucial six-footer which was a key moment.
Jake Sowden (English playing partner) missed a birdie putt on 15 and I got up and down for par from the front edge which was really key.
On 16 it’s about 40 yards from gorse to gorse so it’s very tight. Jake went in the bushes and we had a bit of a wait and it’s sometimes hard to keep your composure.
I short-sided myself again but made a great six-footer and that was the moment I felt like I had a bit of room for error.
I was okay with making a 5 on 17 because it was tough into the wind and meant I could cruise down the last.”
No-nonsense execution, smart course management and nerve of steel—ingredients that define a champion, especially at an event as exacting as the Welsh Golf Open.
Looking Ahead to Lytham and Beyond
With Conwy’s drama behind him, Van Wyk is already plotting his next assault:
“I was very close in it last year so I’m straight back into focusing on that as it’s my home course. Then it’s all about working week in week out to keep progressing and hopefully win a few more times this year.
There’s the Walker Cup at the end of the year which would be unbelievable and I’d love to represent my country at some point.”
If Conwy taught us anything, it’s that when Jamie Van Wyk steps onto the links, fireworks aren’t far behind—and this Welsh Golf Open victory is only the opening act.
