CofC’s Kieron van Wyk Tied for 2nd at PGA Tour’s Puerto Rico Open Heading into Sunday
The College of Charleston senior is making waves on golf’s biggest stage
If you didn’t know Kieron van Wyk’s name before this weekend, you do now.
The College of Charleston senior is making waves on golf’s biggest stage, heading into the final round of the PGA Tour’s Puerto Rico Open tied for second place at 17-under. In his first-ever PGA Tour event, van Wyk delivered a flawless 7-under 65 on Saturday, positioning himself just one stroke behind leader Karl Vilips.
Not bad for a guy who was playing college golf in the Lowcountry a week ago.
Van Wyk, a native of Johannesburg, South Africa, has been a standout for the Cougars since he stepped on campus. In 2022, he became the first Black golfer to win the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) individual title, leading Charleston to its first NCAA Division I Men’s Golf Championship appearance in over two decades. He followed that up with back-to-back CAA Golfer of the Year honors, establishing himself as one of the top collegiate players in the country.
His invitation to the Puerto Rico Open came after a record-setting performance at the White Sands Bahamas Men’s NCAA Golf Invitational in October 2024, where he finished 21-under par, securing a five-stroke victory.
Now, the bright lights of a PGA Tour Sunday await him.
“Definitely soaking in every moment,” van Wyk told PGATour.com. “The crowds, having the people cheer me on—we don’t get that every week in college. But at the end of the day, you’ve just got to take it as it is and hit the golf ball.”
That mindset has him on the doorstep of history. If van Wyk can pull off the win, he would become the second amateur to win on the PGA Tour in as many years, and the first Cougar to ever win a PGA Tour event. He would obtain his PGA Tour card and qualify for upcoming PGA tournaments such as the Player’s Championship and the Masters.
While van Wyk is battling for a PGA Tour victory, the Cougars men’s basketball team will be tipping off in Washington, D.C., against Monmouth in the quarterfinals of the CAA Tournament. A win there would move Charleston one step closer to a third straight NCAA Tournament appearance.
Buckle up, Coug Nation. Sunday is a statement day. And no matter what happens, we’re witnessing the rise of something special.
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