FANCOURT, South Africa – Oct. 25, 2004 – Thomas Aiken stormed to victory at the Vodacom Origins of Golf Championship by seven shots at The Links, Fancourt last week.

In doing so, Aiken became the only three-time winner on the Southern Africa PGA Tour this season, following his victories at the third and fourth legs of the ‘Origins’ Tour at Zimbali and Sun City respectively.

Aiken rolled in a birdie on the par five 18th hole to ensure an even par closing 73 for a score of 214, five under par, making him the only player to finish the tournament in red figures.

Jean Hugo and Hennie Otto, his partners in the final threesome, both fell apart in a stiff breeze over the closing holes to hand Aiken an easy victory.

Hugo signed for a 79 to finish alone in second place at plus two, while Andre Cruse ground out a 75 to claim outright third two shots further back.

Otto, who made a quadruple-bogey eight on the 15th hole en route to a closing 82, was one of four players in joint fourth at five over par.

While his winning margin tells otherwise, victory did not come easily for Aiken, who had to dig deep to repair the damage done by six dropped shots in five holes from the sixth.

“We turned into the wind on 7, 8 and 9 and it was really tough. My putter went cold and I needed to keep my composure over the last few holes,” said Aiken, who eagled the fifth hole.

“I’m really chuffed with how it turned out. This is one of the toughest golf courses I’ve ever played on and to play three rounds without going over par here is pretty good.”

Aiken banked R47, 100 for his win to take his total winnings this season to R 205,515, extending his lead to over R50, 000 on the Order of Merit.

But perhaps more valuable than the sizeable cheque was the confidence Aiken gained ahead of his trip to US PGA Tour Qualifying School in two weeks time.

“This win is really good for my confidence. I’ve been a bit shaky over the last few weeks, so I really needed a boost,” said Aiken.

“I’m very, very happy to win again just before I leave for the US. Hopefully I can take this form over there and come back with a card.”

Succeeding in doing so will further affirm the decision he made to come home, take stock and learn how to win, after an indifferent rookie season on the European Challenge Tour in 2003.

“It was a good idea to stay,” he said. “We have a really good Tour here with great golfers. Playing well here opens a lot of doors that some people don’t realise are there. It’s been so great for my confidence.”

Aiken can take more confidence from the comments of Fancourt’s owner, Dr. Hasso Plattner, who spoke briefly at the Prize Giving ceremony on the 18th green.

“It is meant to be tough here,” said Plattner. “I spoke to Gary Player last night and he told me anything better than 210 for the three rounds would be bad for the golf course.”

Thus concluded the six-part Vodacom Origins of Golf Tour, which has offered close to R2 million rand in prize money over the past five months at some of South Africa's most prestigious locations.