Ockie Strydom says his newly acquired status as a DP World Tour winner will not alter his mindset as he looks to go back-to-back at the AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open.
The South African entered the winner’s circle at the age of 37 on Sunday with a memorable victory on home soil at the Alfred Dunhill Championship at Leopard Creek.
The breakthrough has earned him a two-year exemption on the DP World Tour, but despite the career-changing nature of the past few days he is eager to not lose sight of what has brought him the success.
“A win is a win,” he said ahead of the final event of the calendar year.
“It’s just lifted me into a different league at the moment. I am still going to do the same stuff, play the course how I want to play it.
“Nothing major changes, still the same mindset – go out and enjoy it.”
Strydom was already a winner on the Sunshine Tour, with this week’s event in Mauritius the last of a four-week stretch of co-sanctioned events on the DP World Tour.
“I don’t think it has sunk in yet,” he added. “I don’t think there has really been time to celebrate [my win]. Probably next week, everything is going to become a reality.”
This will be his fourth appearance in the AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open, dating back to 2017 when he registered his best finish of a tie for ninth place.
With the event at a new host venue in Mont Choisy Le Golf, Strydom is looking forward to seeing how he fares buoyed by his increased confidence.
“By the looks of it [the course] is quite tricky,” he said.
“The fairways are wide, but the greens are very tricky. The wind is going to play a big factor here, so you have just got to be patient, stick to your game plan and play with the wind.”
