In-form Nolan overcomes blisters to take another giant step towards DP World Tour with fourth place finish in South Africa

Liam Nolan was “delighted” to overcome foot blisters and take another massive step in his career when he closed with a sensational six-under 66 to finish fourth in the HotelPlanner Tour’s MyGolfLife Open hosted by Pecanwood in South Africa.

Just seven days after finishing third on his debut in the SDC Open, a shot outside a playoff won by Daniel Van Tonder, the Galwayman (24) finished just six shots behind the in-form South African on 21-under to clinch another top five and an automatic spot in next week’s Cell C Cape Town Open at Royal Cape.

“I’m absolutely delighted,” said the Barna native, who has shot eight consecutive rounds under par to be 36 under for his first two starts.

“It’s great to get off to such a good start to the season and to keep getting invited into staying here longer and playing more tournaments against a really good field is an awesome feeling.”

Nolan, who failed to get through the DP World Tour School last year and was relying on invitations for his first two starts, needed to use just one after finishing third on his debut to secure a second start in Hartbeespoort.

He remains second in the HotelPlanner Tour’s Road to Mallorca standings in the race to win one of 20 DP World Tour cards.

But he will have to wait until the re-rank, which comes after July’s D+D REAL Czech Challenge to get better status, he can look forward to many more starts.

“Just consistency and staying really patient,” Nolan said of the key to his hot start to 2025. “You know, you hit runs a form out there where you mightn't be making all the putts and birdies you want.

“But just to stay patient and trust that it's going to click eventually.”

Van Tonder (33) made it back-to-back wins when he closed with a five-under 67 to win by two shots from compatriot Martin Vorster, the 2019 East of Ireland champion, on 27-under.

If he wins in Cape Town, he will automatically be promoted to the DP World Tour.

But Nolan must also be considered a potential contender there, and he clearly has the mental tools after working hard on that with his long-time coach, Kenny Fahey.

“I got the top five this week, and I'm into Cape Town next week, so that's huge,” Nolan said.

“It’s my first season as a pro, and it means the world to be able to keep playing these tournaments down here.”

Looking ahead, he said his goal was clear.

“Just stay consistent, stay disciplined all year in my practice and preparation, and see where that gets me,” he said.

As for his day, he began tied for sixth, seven behind Van Tonder. While he bogeyed the fourth, he birdied the fifth, seventh, and ninth before reeling off further birdies at the 10th, 12th, 15th, and 17th to finish solo fourth.

“Yeah, delighted. I didn't get off to the fastest start today, but I kept trusting what I was doing. I kept hitting the shots I've been hitting all week, and a few putts dropped there on the back.

“I was definitely not as fresh as last week, after a long week last week, so I really had to knuckle down and concentrate even harder over every shot, just making sure my plan was really thought out in my head. 

“I had blisters on the bottom of my feet and everything. So, just delighted to be able to shoot those scores this week.”

Top fives in co-sanctioned events and top tens in regular events will earn Nolan, who can also count on several invitations, into more events.

He also has an Alps Tour card he's not getting distracted by his performance against two strong Sunshine Tour fields but focussing on sticking to his mental process.

“I don't focus too much on the fields I'm playing in and more just on my own game, my own plan every week,” he said.

“So I've been executing it, and I'm very happy with how I've been playing and my core strategy.

“So yeah, I'm delighted and delighted to get going next week.”

Jonathan Caldwell also closed with a 66 to tie for 38th on 14-under.

He now heads to Cape Town with Nolan, where they will be joined by Dermot McElroy and Max Kennedy, who missed the cut in Hartbeespoort.