Published July 17, 2008 on June 25, 2018

Jovan Rebula Wins The 123RD Amateur Championship at Royal Aberdeen

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Jovan Rebula completed the perfect week to claim The 123^rd Amateur Championship at Royal Aberdeen.

The 20-year-old was never behind in the 36-hole final and becomes the first South African to lift the historic trophy since Bobby Cole at Carnoustie in 1966 after defeating Ireland’s Robin Dawson 3&2.

On being the first South African to win since 1966, Rebula said, “It’s indescribable. This golf tournament is a difficult one to win. Being able to etch my name into history is an unbelievable feeling. I’m obviously very chuffed about what happened this week. It’s been good.”

Rebula, who is the nephew of two-time Champion Golfer of the Year Ernie Els, secured a place in The 147^th Open at Carnoustie, next year’s US Open at Pebble Beach and, by tradition, an invitation to the Masters Tournament in 2019.

He added,“Growing up in South Africa The Open Championship is the major that you want to win. To go out and win The Open Championship – well I’ll definitely give it my best shot! I’m so looking forward to that and everything that comes with this victory. I’ve never played Carnoustie. I’ve just heard about how brutal it is! I am looking forward to it. I am just going to go out and enjoy the experience.”

Ranked 192 in the World Amateur Golf Ranking^TM, Rebula took command of the final early on striking the first blow to go 1up with a birdie at the par-5 6^th hole. The South African then took advantage when Dawson bogeyed the 7^th and 8^th to go 3up. However, the Irishman pulled one back immediately with a birdie of his own to cut Rebula’s lead to 2 holes at the turn. 

The match was extremely close at that point and Dawson, who won the Irish Open Amateur Championship at Royal County Down in May, closed the gap further when Rebula conceded the 13^th hole. With Rebula at 1up, the finalists headed into the break with everything to play for.

After fighting his way to 3up in the early stages of the afternoon, Rebula stamped his authority on the match by winning the 26^th and 27^th holes, which included an incredible 25-foot putt for birdie.

Rebula was in cruise control with a lead of 5up with six to play and looked certain to secure the championship before nerves kicked in and Dawson claimed two holes back.

It took until the 16^th where he made a clinical save from the sand to win The 123^rd Amateur Championship and etch his name in history.

“It’s unreal. It’s really something that is hard to describe. I feel like many have been in this position before but its an unreal feeling. It hasn’t sunk in quite yet but hopefully tomorrow morning I can wake up and I will feel a little different,” said Rebula of his victory.