Lucan’s Richard O’Donovan paid tribute to coach Noel Fox after he survived a testing final round examination to clinch his Sunshine Tour card in style in South Africa.

The Celbridge native lost coach Wayne Westner, his friend and mentor, in 2017. But he’s since found a new touchstone in former amateur great Fox, who has built and impressive reputation as a coach since setting up Impact Golf at Leopardstown with Hazel Kavanagh and John Langan.

Their hard work paid off at Houghton Golf Club today when O’Donovan, who won the East of Ireland Championship in 2011, closed with a one-under 71 to finish tied for 11th on 11-under par, three shots inside the all important top-25 and ties.

Final scores

“I feel amazing,” said O’Donovan (29), who is 28-under par for his last nine rounds . "I’ve been playing so solidly and want to thank to everybody who helped me over the past few years, especially my coach Noel Fox, who has played a massive part in this.”

O’Donovan served for three years under Kevin Kelliher at Dun Laoghaire and plans to complete his PGA qualifications this year before turning his attention to the Sunshine Tour.

He has a close affinity with South Africa and given his memorable experiences working under Westner, the late South African star was very much in his thoughts after his final round.

“I know Wayne Westner would be very proud of my achievements,” added O’Donovan, who went into the final round tied for eighth on 10 under-par and was forced to dig deep to clinch playing privileges for the 2020-21 season.

While he dropped two shots in his first four holes and then followed a birdie at the fifth with a bogey at the short ninth to fall close to the cut line, he picked up birdies at the 11th, 15th and 18th to finish tied 11th on 11-under, eight strokes behind Tristen Strydom, who closed with a 66 to win by a shot from PH McIntyre on 19-under.

“Noel has been huge for me,” added O’Donovan, who won on the EPD Tour (now he Pro Golf Tour) in 2014. “We‘ve seen each other every week for the last 12 months. My driving has improved so much. Lots of hard work has been done behind the scenes and I’m looking forward to what the future holds.”