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Manyama gets ready for a grand slam

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Theo Manyama will achieve a grand slam of golf majors when he officiates in the PGA Championship in the US next month. PHOTO: Warren Little / Getty Images
Theo Manyama will achieve a grand slam of golf majors when he officiates in the PGA Championship in the US next month. PHOTO: Warren Little / Getty Images

Internationally acclaimed golf-rules official Theo Manyama will achieve a grand slam of his own when he represents South Africa at the PGA Championship next month.

The fourth and last major of the year will tee off at Whistling Straits Golf Course in Wisconsin, US, from August 13-16.

The 72-year-old Alexandra-born veteran, whose career as a golf official spans 24 years, has been invited by the Professional Golfers’ Association (PGA) of SA to officiate at the event.

The former caddie has an intimate knowledge of the laws of the game and is in big demand at the majors.

Manyama has served in 16 successive US Masters, nine US Opens and 19 consecutive British Open Championships.

Officiating at the PGA Championship will allow him to complete a full set in his distinguished career on international fairways.

Manyama has also represented South Africa as a chief rules official and referee on the Sunshine Tour and at numerous events on the European and US PGA tours.

Speaking from St Andrews in Scotland this week before his term of duty at the British Open, which ends today, an elated Manyama said he was up to the task of officiating at the PGA Championship.

“I’ve had many invitations to the PGA Championship over the years, but never had the financial support to take up the invitations,” said Manyama, who now lives in Alan Manor, Johannesburg.

“Thanks to the PGA of SA, I will be able to fulfil a lifelong dream this year.”

Manyama qualified as a rules official through the ruling authority of golf, the Randamp;A, in 1992.

His role is to observe if players follow the rules.

“I consult widely with officials of other countries to ensure that players do not break the rules,” said Manyama.

“I was with Ernie Els at the 18th green when he sank the winning putt at the Open at Royal Lytham andamp; St Annes in 2012,” he said.

“People watching at home told me that the commentator said: ‘That man next to Ernie is Theo Manyama, one of the best rules officials in the world.’ This made me proud.”

Manyama hopes to gain international recognition at the upcoming PGA Championship.

“I would like to give it my best shot, as it will be my first involvement there,” he said.

Manyama made the transition from caddie to professional in the late 1960s.

He competed abroad due to the apartheid policies at the time. This prevented him from competing on the golf circuit in South Africa.

He won his first tournament in 1968, finished fifth in the 1982 Swazi Open and retired in 1989.

“Manyama plays a very important role by enhancing the image of the PGA globally, hence the invitation to this year’s tournament,” said PGA of SA CEO Ivano Ficalbi.

He said Manyama had received an honorary life membership of the PGA of SA last year.

“It was through an interview process with him that the PGA became aware of the missing major.

“Manyama’s a PGA master professional, and the PGA of SA board of directors, members and staff wish him everything of the best,” said Ficalbi.

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