Page 114 - Golf World (February 2020)

W hat is your earliest memory?

My mum is a pre-school teacher
and I remember running around
the playground with my friends
when I was three or four years old. My mum was
actually my teacher.

What was it like?
I was a bit of a troublemaker because I thought I
could get away with a few more things. We were
living in Cape Town at the time, but she wasn’t
my teacher anymore when we moved to Pretoria
and I got put back into line pretty early on. But it
was quite fun while it lasted.

Have you ever had a close brush with death?
Yes, my family all surf and bodyboard. We were
surfing at this one spot where my dad grew up
surfing when I was 10 years old. I decided to go
back into shore and I got caught in a very strong
current and couldn’t make it back out. My big
brother and a few guys from shore had to run
out and rescue me from the water. I wasn’t really
drowning at that point, but if no one had seen
me it would have been close.

What scares you the most?
No real fears, but heights get me a little bit. My time and I was a fast bowler and taking all these
wife and I went skydiving and I was terrified. I wickets. At that time we actually moved away
faced my fears. Bare and that’s really when my golf picked up.
Obviously I don’t have any regrets because I play
What is your most annoying trait or habit? golf for a living now, but I really loved cricket
Can I ask my wife? No, I don’t need to. I know when I was growing up.
that I’m pretty stubborn and hard-headed, which my
can be annoying. If you could change anything in the world,
what would it be?
vanish and pop up somewhere else. I think with soul Probably poverty, especially growing up in South
Whichsuperpowerwouldyoumostliketohave?
Africa there is a massive gap between the rich
I don’t know if you’ve read Harry Potter, but I’d
and middle class to the poor. I’d like to be able
like to be able to ‘apparate’ – literally be able to

all the travelling we do, and my wife’s American to provide people with proper education and the
opportunity to chase their dreams like I’m doing
so we’ve got family split all around the world. I’d Erik van right now. It’s sad for me when I’ve had all the
like to be able to be in America for Christmas Rooyen opportunities in the world and literally across
and also pop over to Africa. the road from me there are people living in
townships who have no hope. I’d like to give
What animal best represents your character? everyone a proper education, and with that
Funny you should ask me that because eradicate poverty.
my dad asked me what animal I’d
like to be a couple of nights ago. Have you got any hidden talents or party tricks?
I said a lion. I like that they’re I’ve played the guitar since I was 14. I’m not
top of the food chain in their exactly the songbird of my generation, but I can
environment, but at the same time hold a tune or two.
brothers form quite a close bond at
a young age and I’ve got a close Who are your favourite artists?
bond with my family and brother The Foo Fighters, Biffy Clyro, Muse, Green Day.
and sister. There are so many.
‘If I was an animal
If you could travel back in time, where would What is your main passion outside golf?
you go and why? I’d have to be a Definitely music, but if I didn’t play golf, I’d
I’d go back to when I was at primary school lion. I like the fact want to play rugby. Watching the Springboks
playing cricket. I really, really enjoyed my cricket they’re top of the play is what makes me the most emotional – I
growing up. We were living in Pretoria at the food chain’ yell and scream and shout.

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