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.
KZN police say the circumstances surrounding the incident are still unclear.
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:
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
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.
His retired from professional golfing in 1998 - after sustaining an ankle injury.