Johnnie Walker Classic winner Anton Haig has a goal in life - to be as good as his illustrious compatriots Ernie Els and Retief Goosen. The 20-year-old made his breakthrough with victory in a three-way play-off here Sunday, earning his first European Tour title at his 17th attempt and beating world number five Els and world number six Goosen into the bargain.
He said both players had been an inspiration to him growing up and he wanted to emulate their feats. "I'm going to keep on fighting and hopefully one day I will be as good as Ernie and Retief," he said after beating Oliver Wilson of England and fellow South African Richard Sterne on the first extra hole.
"I mean I've watched them from a young age and they have really given me a bit of oomph to get to the top. "Goosen is just one who never gives up and Ernie's rhythm and spring is just immaculate. They are just incredible people as well, not ones to brag or anything, just down-to-earth people."
Goosen finished fourth and Els joint sixth. Haig is quickly establishing himself as the next big thing in South African golf, having burst onto the scene by winning the Malaysian Masters, an Asian Tour event, last year.
His win on Sunday earned him a European Tour exemption until the end of 2009 and he said he would start playing more European events after learning his trade on the Asian Tour.
"The Asian Tour has really helped me through the years. I'll continue playing the European co-sanctioned events but now that I've won, I'll be playing a lot more on the European Tour," he said. Hailing from Johannesburg, he said he now knew that he could win, which brought massive confidence. "I know I can win, I know I'm good enough," he said.