One of South Africa’s greatest golf talents, Wayne Westner, has been found dead from a gunshot wound at the age of 55.

According to the South Coast Herald website, police spokesperson Captain Vincent Pandarum confirmed the identity of the deceased man, who died as the result of a gunshot wound to the right side of his head on Wednesday morning, as Westner.

Westner is alleged to have held his wife hostage before committing suicide.

Westner, 55, was best known for winning the South African Open in 1988 and 1991, both times at Durban Country Club, where his power and prodigious length off the tee enabled him to use a 1-iron to navigate his way around the notoriously tight layout.

He won 14 professional events, including two European Tour events, as well as the 1996 World Cup of Golf at Erinvale in Somerset West with Ernie Els.

His career was unfortunately cut short through injury in 1998.

At one point he was ranked as high as 40th in the Official World Golf Rankings.

Westner had recently been coaching aspiring young professionals at the Wayne Westner Golf College in KwaZulu-Natal.

ABOUT WAYNE WESTNER

• Born 1961
• Turned professional 1993
• Won 1993 ICL International
• Won SA Open 1988 and 1993
• Won TPC European Tour 1991
• Won 1996 World Cup of Golf with Ernie Els
• Won The 1996 Money List South Africa
• Ranked 40th in the Official World Golf Rankings
• Won 14 events world wide
• Career cut short through injury in 1998