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Erik van Rooyen is a professional golfer from South Africa. Born in Bellville, Cape Town, in 1990, van Rooyen grew up playing a variety of sports, including rugby, cricket and track and field, before focusing on golf. He studied at the University of Minnesota from 2009 to 2013, during which time he won the 2012 Minnesota State Amateur. He turned professional in 2013 and has since won twice on the PGA Tour and once on the European Tour.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Frederik Wilhelm van Rooyen |
| Known As | Erik van Rooyen |
| Date of Birth | 21 February 1990 |
| Birthplace | Bellville, South Africa |
| Height | 6'3" |
| Weight | 194 lbs |
| Education | University of Minnesota |
| Residence | Johannesburg, South Africa |
| Profession | Golfer |
| Turned Pro | 2013 |
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What You'll Learn
Erik van Rooyen is from South Africa
After graduating from the University of Minnesota, where he met his wife, Rose, van Rooyen turned professional in 2013. He joined the Sunshine Tour, winning his first tournament on the tour in early 2017—the Eye of Africa PGA Championship. That same year, he secured his second professional win at the Hainan Open on the Challenge Tour. Van Rooyen went on to achieve several notable finishes in 2017 and 2018, including fourth place in the Kazakhstan Open and a tie for fourth in the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open.
In 2019, van Rooyen had a strong start, finishing as joint runner-up in the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters and the Hassan II Golf Trophy. He also achieved a top-10 finish in the 2019 PGA Championship. On 25 August 2019, he claimed his first European Tour title at the Scandinavian Invitation, setting a new tournament record.
Van Rooyen currently resides in Johannesburg, South Africa, and continues to represent his country in golf on the international stage. He has accumulated several wins and top finishes on both the PGA Tour and the European Tour, solidifying his place as a prominent South African golfer.
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He was born in Bellville, Cape Town
Erik van Rooyen is a South African professional golfer who was born in Bellville, Cape Town, South Africa, on 21 February 1990. He turned professional in 2013 and has since won twice on the PGA Tour and once on the European Tour.
Bellville, a suburb of Cape Town, is known for its vibrant community and rich cultural heritage. It is situated in the Tygerberg Hills, about 25 kilometres outside of Cape Town's city centre. The area boasts a diverse landscape, with lush vineyards, picturesque hills, and a vibrant floral kingdom.
Growing up in Bellville, van Rooyen was exposed to a variety of sports and extracurricular activities. He participated in rugby, cricket, and track and field during his childhood. However, it was golf that eventually captured his primary interest. He began competing in golf tournaments at the age of 14, showcasing his natural talent and dedication to the sport.
Van Rooyen's success in golf is not limited to his professional career. During his time at the University of Minnesota, where he attended from 2009 to 2013, he excelled in collegiate golf competitions. In 2012, he won the Minnesota State Amateur tournament, solidifying his reputation as a rising star in the golfing world.
After turning professional, van Rooyen's career went from strength to strength. He secured wins on both the PGA Tour and the European Tour, establishing himself as a prominent figure in the sport. His achievements have brought pride to his hometown of Bellville and inspired aspiring golfers across South Africa.
Today, van Rooyen continues to represent South Africa proudly on the international golfing stage. His journey from Bellville, Cape Town, to the global arena serves as a testament to his hard work, talent, and dedication to his craft.
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He attended the University of Minnesota
Erik van Rooyen is a South African professional golfer who was born in Bellville, South Africa, in 1990. He attended the University of Minnesota from 2009 to 2013, where he played college golf and met his wife, Rose. During his time at the university, he won the 2012 Minnesota State Amateur tournament.
The University of Minnesota, commonly referred to as the U of M, is a public research university based in the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul. It is one of the most prestigious universities in the United States and is known for its strong academic programs and research contributions. The university has a rich history, dating back to its founding in 1851, making it one of the oldest universities in the state of Minnesota.
The university offers a wide range of academic programs, including undergraduate, graduate, and professional degrees across various fields. Van Rooyen likely chose this university for its strong academic reputation and the opportunity to pursue a degree that aligned with his interests and career aspirations. The flexibility of the curriculum allowed him to balance his academic pursuits with his passion for golf.
The University of Minnesota is known for its vibrant campus life and diverse student community. It offers a multitude of extracurricular activities, clubs, and organizations that cater to a variety of interests. Van Rooyen, during his time at the university, was actively involved in the golf team, honing his skills and competing in tournaments. The university's golf program provided him with the resources, coaching, and competitive environment he needed to excel in the sport.
Attending the University of Minnesota had a significant impact on both Van Rooyen's personal and professional life. It was during his time at the university that he met his future wife, Rose. Additionally, his success in the 2012 Minnesota State Amateur tournament boosted his golfing career, setting him on a path toward becoming a professional golfer. The university experience allowed him to develop not only his academic knowledge but also his interpersonal skills and networking abilities, which are invaluable in the sports industry.
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He turned professional in 2013
Erik van Rooyen is a South African golfer who was born on 21 February 1990. He attended the University of Minnesota from 2009 to 2013, during which he won the 2012 Minnesota State Amateur. In 2013, Van Rooyen turned professional.
Van Rooyen has been playing on the Sunshine Tour since turning professional. He secured his first win on the tour in early 2017 at the Eye of Africa PGA Championship, where he made a birdie at the first extra hole in a three-man playoff. The same year, he played on the Challenge Tour, winning the Hainan Open. He also finished fourth in the Kazakhstan Open and tied for third in the season-ending NBO Golf Classic Grand Final, ranking third in the Challenge Tour Race to Oman rankings. These achievements earned him a card for the 2018 European Tour season.
In December 2017, Van Rooyen was the runner-up in the Joburg Open, which was part of the Open Qualifying Series. This performance secured his entry into the 2018 Open Championship, marking his first major championship. He continued his success in 2018 by leading the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open by four strokes after three rounds. Although he finished with a final-round 74, he still managed to tie for fourth place.
Van Rooyen has accumulated several notable achievements since turning professional in 2013. He has won twice on the PGA Tour and once on the European Tour. In August 2021, he secured his first PGA Tour event win at the Barracuda Championship. More recently, in November 2023, he won the World Wide Technology Championship, marking his first PGA Tour victory in over two years.
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Van Rooyen has won twice on the PGA Tour
Erik van Rooyen is a South African professional golfer who has won twice on the PGA Tour. Born on 21 February 1990, van Rooyen attended the University of Minnesota from 2009 to 2013, during which he won the 2012 Minnesota State Amateur. He turned professional in 2013 and has been playing on the Sunshine Tour since then.
Van Rooyen's first win on the PGA Tour came in August 2021 at the Barracuda Championship. He broke the tournament scoring record by shooting a total of 50 points (modified stableford) over four rounds. His second PGA Tour win came in November 2023 at the World Wide Technology Championship, his first PGA Tour victory in over two years. He secured the win by making a putt for an eagle on the par-5 18th hole on Sunday, playing the back nine in 8-under 28 as part of a 9-under 63 in the final round.
Prior to his PGA Tour successes, van Rooyen had notable performances on other tours. In early 2017, he claimed his first win on the Sunshine Tour at the Eye of Africa PGA Championship. Later that year, he won the Hainan Open on the Challenge Tour. He also had strong finishes in the 2017 Challenge Tour Race to Oman rankings, earning a card for the 2018 European Tour season.
In 2019, van Rooyen had a joint runner-up finish in the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters and the Hassan II Golf Trophy. He also achieved a top-10 finish in the 2019 PGA Championship. On 25 August 2019, he secured his first European Tour title at the Scandinavian Invitation, setting a new tournament record with a score of 261 on the par 70 course.
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Frequently asked questions
Golfer Erik van Rooyen is from Bellville, South Africa, a suburb of Cape Town.
Erik van Rooyen is South African.
Erik van Rooyen was born on 21 February 1990.
Erik van Rooyen is 6'3" tall and weighs 194 lbs.
