Richard Sterne

On Sunday, South Africa’s Richard Sterne won his sixth title on the European Tour when he was victorious at the co-sanctioned Joburg Open in his home country. As this remarkable player makes his comeback to professional golf, this week’s player profile highlights some of his recent achievements on the European Tour.

31-year-old Sterne was born in Pretoria, South Africa, in 1981. After taking to golf at a young age, Sterne had his first taste of tournament play at the 1999 World Junior Golf Championships where he was runner-up in his division. After turning professional in 2001 at the age of twenty, Sterne played on the Sunshine Tour in his home country, as well as on the Challenge Tour in Europe. In 2003, the young South African made his European Tour debut.

Sterne’s first victory on the European Tour came in the 2004 season when he won the Open de Madrid, beating Denmark’s Anders Hansen by two strokes. In 2007, he won the Celtic Manor Wales Open by a single stroke against a host of competitors, and the following season he was victorious at three co-sanctioned European Tour events in South Africa – the Joburg Open, Alfred Dunhill Championship, and South African Open.

With five European Tour titles to his name at the age of 27, Sterne seemed poised to reach the top of European golf. Unfortunately, serious back ailments plagued the young champion for several years, beginning in 2009. At one stage there were speculations that Sterne may have to quit professional golf altogether, but the South African would not be deterred. After almost three years of intensive therapy and a conservative approach to playing tournaments, Sterne has weathered his injuries, fully healed and back to his old form.

Sunday’s victory on home marked an impressive comeback for Richard Sterne. As the champion returns to the European Tour fully healed, golf fans can expect many more impressive performances from this talented and tenacious player.

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