Desvonde Pierre Botes (born 2 November 1974) is a South African professional golfer.
Early life Botes was born in Pretoria. After winning the South African Amateur Championship in 1991 at the age of 16 years and 5 months, 20 days younger than the record set by Ernie Els,
Professional career In 1992, Botes turned professional. His first professional victory came in the Mercedes Benz Golf Challenge on the Southern Africa Tour in 1993.
Following further successes on the Southern Africa Tour, including the South African Masters in 1998, Botes attempted to qualify for the European Tour. He did not manage to gain full exemption in 1999, but returned the following year and was medalist at the European Tour Qualifying School less than a week after claiming his second Platinum Classic title in South Africa. He finished just outside the top 100 in the Order of Merit, with a best finish of 5th in the Benson & Hedges International Open.
Back problems in 2002 and 2003, meant Botes was unable to retain his place on the European Tour. He returned to South Africa and won the Parmalat Classic on his way to 3rd place on the Sunshine Tour Order of Merit. That promising form prompted another attempt at the European Tour Qualifying School. He claimed the last card for the 2004 season, but made only five cuts in the regular tour events, with a best finish of 9th, and failed to retain his playing privileges for the following season. Since then he has competed on the Sunshine Tour with limited success, although he has won several titles on the less competitive Winter Swing of the schedule.
Professional wins (14) Sunshine Tour wins (12) No.DateTournamentWinning scoreMargin ofvictoryRunner(s)-up115 Dec 1996Zambia Open−8 (68-70-70=208)1 stroke Neil Homann25 Jul 1997Bosveld Classic−11 (66-72-67=205)3 strokes Darren Fichardt318 Oct 1997Vodacom Series (Western Cape)−13 (69-66-68=203)Playoff Dean van Staden417 Jan 1998Platinum Classic−17 (68-64-67=199)3 strokes Richard Kaplan, Hennie Walters52 May 1998Pietersburg Classic−19 (62-67-68=197)5 strokes Sammy Daniels614 Feb 1999South African Masters−19 (65-68-72-64=269)1 stroke Dean van Staden725 Sep 1999Vodacom Series (2) (Free State)−10 (68-67-71=206)1 stroke Titch Moore812 Nov 2000Platinum Classic (2)−14 (66-66-70=202)1 stroke Roger Wessels927 Jun 2003Parmalat Classic−9 (68-69-70=207)2 strokes James Kingston1013 May 2005Vodacom Origins of Golf at Pretoria−14 (66-65-71=202)Playoff Jean Hugo1127 May 2005Vodacom Origins of Golf (2) at Pezula−18 (66-67-65=198)6 strokes Ian Hutchings1230 Sep 2006Seekers Travel Pro-Am−20 (67-62-67=196)3 strokes Alex Haindl
Sunshine Tour playoff record (2–0) No.YearTournamentOpponentResult11997Vodacom Series (Western Cape) Dean van StadenWon with birdie on first extra hole22005Vodacom Origins of Golf at Pretoria Jean HugoWon with birdie on first extra hole
IGT Pro Tour wins (1) No.DateTournamentWinning scoreMargin ofvictoryRunner-up126 Jan 2012#1 IGT Summer Series−18 (67-63-68=198)5 strokes Jean Hugo
Other wins (1) 1993 Mercedes Benz Golf Challenge
Playoff record Asian PGA Tour playoff record (0–1) No.YearTournamentOpponentResult11999Nokia Singapore Open Kenny DruceLost to par on second extra hole
Results in major championships Tournament20002001200220032004200520062007The Open ChampionshipT64CUT Note: Botes only played in The Open Championship.
CUT = missed the half-way cut "T" = tied
Results in World Golf Championships Tournament2004Match PlayChampionshipT48Invitational
"T" = Tied
External links