Hennie Otto

Finally made his European Tour breakthrough in May 2008 when, just a matter of weeks after relinquishing a five-shot lead going into the final day of the Madeira Islands Open BPI - Portugal, he survived a late charge from England's Oliver Wilson to win the Methorios Capital Italian Open by one stroke. One of the latest crop of promising young golfers to emerge from South Africa, Otto learnt his trade playing alongside the likes of Ernie Els, Retief Goosen amd Mark McNulty. Could have represented South Africa's Under-23s Rugby Union side as scrum-half, but the final trial for the top team coincided with a golf tournament - he chose golf. Required a Medical Extension at the end of 2002 following a back operation. Secured his playing rights on The 2004 European Tour with the help of a top ten finish in the 132nd Open Golf Championship, his first Major Championship, and a tie for fifth in the Trophée Lancôme in 2003. Also a multiple winner in South Africa with victories including the prestigious South African Tour Championship in 2003. One of the first South Africans to work with renowned sports psychologist Jos Vanstiphout.
1999 PGA European Tour Summary: Tournaments entered - 3; in money - 2; top-10 finishes - 1; stroke average 72.90; money � 36,759 & £26,256; best finish 5th, Mercedes-Benz Vodacom South African Open
2000 PGA European Tour Summary: Tournaments entered - 30; in money - 12; top-10 finishes - 1; stroke average 72.90 (ranked 130th); money � 92,106 & £54,778 (ranked 135th); best finish 6th Scottish PGA Championship
2001 PGA European Tour Summary: Tournaments entered - 18; in money - 11; top-10 finishes - 2; stroke average 72.10 (ranked 149th); money � 91,298 or £56,765 (ranked 147th); best finish T5th Mercedes-Benz South African Open.
2002 PGA European Tour Summary: Tournaments entered - 8; in money - 3; top-10 finishes - 0; money â?¬ 29,957 (ranked 37th); best finish T35th The Compass Group English Open.
2002 Challenge Tour Summary: Tournaments entered - 16; in money - 12; top-10 finishes - 4; best finish T3rd Austrian Golf Open.
2003 PGA European Tour Summary: Tournaments entered - 14; in money - 11; top-10 finishes - 2; Scoring Average - 71.44 (ranked 75th); money � 286,523 or £199,766 (ranked 73rd); best finish T5th, Trophee Lancome.
2004 PGA European Tour Summary: Tournaments entered - 20; in money - 7; top-10 finishes - 1; scoring average 72.68 (ranked 154th); money �90,971 or £72,924 (ranked 145th); best finish, 2nd, Omega Hong Kong Open.
2005 PGA European Tour Summary: Tournaments entered - 11; in money - 6; top-10 finishes - 1; scoring average 71.57 (ranked 68th); money 120,842 or £96,870 (ranked 136th); best finish, T3rd, Jazztel Open de Espana en Andalucia.
2006 PGA European Tour Summary: Tournaments entered - 10; in money - 8; top-10 finishes - 0; scoring average 72.03 (ranked 127th); money �61,004 or £48,902 (ranked 176th); best finish,T27th, Alfred Dunhill Links Championship.
2007 PGA European Tour Summary: Tournaments entered - 7; in money - 7; top-10 finishes - 2; scoring average 71.14 (ranked 32nd); money �165,242 or £132,461 (ranked 141st); Best finish, 3rd, Joburg Open.

2008 South African Tour results
Date Tournament Pos. Score Par Rand
Joburg Open¬ 151=¬ 148¬ +6¬ 0.00
International Final Qualifier¬ 3=¬ 134¬ -8¬ 0.00
Dimension Data Pro-Am¬ 16=¬ 288¬ Par¬ 22,140.00
The Africa Open¬ 6=¬ 283¬ -5¬ 33,330.00
Vodacom Championship¬ 33=¬ 287¬ -1¬ 18,720.00
Vodacom Swing Order of Merit¬ 1¬ 72¬ Par¬ 100,000.00
Telkom PGA Championship¬ 2¬ 274¬ -14¬ 287,500.00
Vodacom Origins Bloemfontein¬ 39=¬ 213¬ -3¬ 3,124.00
Vodacom Origins - Pretoria CC¬ 25=¬ 215¬ -1¬ 4,884.00