Legendary SA golfer Wayne Westner dead after alleged suicide
Former SA golf star, Wayne Westner, has been killed in an apparent shooting incident in Pennington on the KZN south coast.
The 55-year-old died from a gunshot to the head.
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The police's Thulani Zwane says an inquest docket has been opened.
"A 55-year-old man allegedly shot himself and died in front of his wife at Pennington area. It is alleged that this morning around 8am, this man went to his wife's residence at Pennington area, and he allegedly shot himself. A case of inquest has been opened, and the firearm that was used was seized by police," he said.
Tributes for the late golfer - who won the SA Open twice (both times at the Durban Country Club) - have already started trickling in on social media:
RIP Wayne Westner pic.twitter.com/VUrLhxfQQ6
— Herman Borchardt (@Borchie_09129) January 4, 2017
Throwback-Thursday: @TheBig_Easy & Wayne Westner combined to win the 1996 World Cup on home soil at Erinvale GC. pic.twitter.com/6kwxQMxpFT
— Golf Digest S-Africa (@GolfDigestSA) May 5, 2016
So shocked to hear of the death of Wayne Westner, double former winner of SA Open and winner of Dubai Desert Classic. RIP Westy.
— Tony Johnstone (@TonyJohnstone56) January 4, 2017
Wayne Westner, one of South Africa’s greatest golf talents, has been found dead. #RipWayne
— Compleat Golfer (@CompleatGolfer) January 4, 2017
https://t.co/X27sImHzQk pic.twitter.com/mGwzJcELAF
RIP Wayne Westner, enjoyed watching him play on the @EuropeanTour in the 90's https://t.co/qDVIjUpTCB
— James Ridyard (@JamesRidyard) January 4, 2017
Westner was once ranked as high as 40th in the world at the height of his career.
In 1996, he won the World Cup for SA - in partnership with Ernie Els.
He retired from professional golf in 1998 - after sustaining an ankle injury.