WATCH: 'I am a legend where I am right now' – Local caddie hits the jackpot

18 January 2017 - 09:03 By Jan Bornman
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Jeffrey Thami Nkonyane's life drastically changed on Sunday, thanks to British golfer Graeme Storm, for whom he was caddying, beating tournament favourites to claim the BMW SA Open.

For Nkonyane, 51, who has been a golf caddie for more than three decades, Storm's success will see him pocket 10% of the winnings - around R300,000.

Storm received the 1st prize payout of more than R2.3-million.

"It was great. We've known each other for the past 20 years, year in, year out. He's been taking care of me," said Nkonyane.

He said he usually earned about R500 or R600 a week as a caddie at the Wanderers Golf Club in Johannesburg.

"It was awesome. This has been great for me, it means a big change for me, a huge, big, change for me," he said.


Jeffrey Thami Nkonyane and Graeme Storm  after the triumph.  Image: Gallo Images

Nkonyane said he already had plans for his winnings, which included renovations to his house in Marlboro, Johannesburg.

"And I'll take the rest and save it for my future," he said.

His wife and two children died years ago.

Storm's victory has made Nkonyane an instant celebrity at the Glendower Golf Club in Edenvale where the SA Open took place.

He was greeted with comments such as "Jeffrey, you legend" and "we've got a celebrity here", from golfers walking past him.

But life didn't always look this bright for Nkonyane, who dropped out of school aged 13.

"When my folks passed away, I left school. There was no one pushing me, but I realised this was not the end of it," he said.

Nkonyane said he found a new home at the Wanderers Golf Club where he pitched up as an orphaned teenager, learning not only how to read the conditions but how to play the game as well - he boasts a handicap of 15 himself.

He'd love to play in some competitions but said the cost of entry was too high.

Growing up on the golf course, Nkonyane quickly learnt the necessary skills to become a sought-after caddie, but more importantly, he learnt the walk and the talk of the trade and how to talk to a golfer when they needed it most.

"If you had a bad shot, it's not the end of it. Everyone's got 14 clubs in their bag, so let's go out and do it," he said.

Nkonyane, who could be seen on the final day trying to get the crowd going when it became clear Storm might win, said such pep talks were what helped him clinch the title at the end of the day.

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