Sunshine Tour | Karmis leads as SA PGA Championship chases finish

2023-09-22 20:00:38

Karmis leads as SA PGAChampionship chases Saturday finish

On the fairways of a St Francis Links golfcourse that is as stunningly beautiful as it is rich with temptation, PeterKarmis was able to avoid the latter and claim a three-stroke lead after tworounds of the South African PGA Championship.

Karmis fired a brilliant five-under-par 67 on Friday,the lowest round of the day, to move to eight-under-par overall and sittingpretty as the leader of this prestigious event, which will conclude a day earlyon Saturday when the third and fourth round will be played.

This is due toextreme winds being expected on Sunday, the scheduled last day.

"Due to gale-force winds predicted for Sunday, playwill not be possible. In order to get a 72-hole result we will have a doubleshotgun start on Saturday. Round three will start at 06h40 and the round fourshotgun start will be no earlier than 12h00. In the event of us being unable tocomplete round four on Saturday, the tournament result will be based on theconclusion of the third round," Sunshine Tour Tournament Director Gary Toddsaid.

Karmis, who was one stroke off the lead after thefirst round, enjoyed a great start to the second day as he birdied the firsttwo holes and then eagled the par-five sixth. Impressive birdies on the 16th and18th holes stretched his lead.

"The course is difficult and long and the wind was uptoday, although it did die down a bit towards the end, but it was still atleast one club then," Karmis said.

"I played pretty nicely, but your heart is pounding onso many holes here. And with the weather forecast saying it’s going to be evenwindier, it’s going to be a pretty hair-raising last day.

"This course is designed for the wind and it’sintimidating. The key is not to be tempted, to not push too much. You mustn’tget greedy and do something unnecessary, otherwise you’ll get hurt.

"But I’ve played here enough to know what is doableand what is not. I hit driver everywhere and I hit a lot of good ones today,some lovely irons and I putted and scrambled well, getting lucky a few times,"Karmis said.

One of those up-and-downs came on the last hole, withits sumptuous views and elegant clubhouse that make it a prime candidate forthe sort of photograph that sells for plenty at golf auctions, as Karmis holedhis bunker shot for birdie.

Also gunning for the win on Saturday, and looking tojoin such eminent previous champions as Gary Player, Dale Hayes, JohnBland, Tony Johnstone, Ernie Els, David Frost, Mark McNulty and LouisOosthuizen, are Adam Breen (68) and Keegan Mclachlan (71) tied in second placeon five-under-par.

Veteran Jaco van Zyl could also be in the mix aftershooting a 70 to go to three-under-par in the R2 million event that thisyear celebrates the significant support of the Eastern Cape Tourism andParks Agency and African Bank.

Robin Williams, who shared the lead overnight withMclachlan, posted a 74 on Friday to slip to two-under-par, sharing fifth placewith Rupert Kaminski (73), Ryan van Velzen (72) and Matthew Spacey (72).

- Michael Vlismas

2023-09-17 16:40:53

Barker grabs second title with Vodacom Origins play-off triumph

Kyle Barker claimed his secondSunshine Tour title this year when he won the Vodacom Origins of Golf in aplay-off at the Devonvale Golf and Wine Estate on Sunday.

Barker produced a strong finalround of 65 and finished tied for the lead with Pieter Moolman on 10 under par203 Barker then birdied the first play-off hole as Moolman parred. Martin Rohwerfinished third on eight under par.

It was a thrilling finish to atournament Moolman seemed destined to win having led after day one and thentaking a commanding six-stroke lead into the final round, and with Barkerstarting seven shots off the lead.

But on a day when Barker wentout in 30 to make his charge and then parred his way through the back nine,Moolman stumbled to a closing one over par 72.

Moolman still managed to forcehis way into the play-off with a crucial birdie on the par-four 18thbut couldn’t match Barker thereafter.

“I was seven shots behind and Iknew I had to do something special. I made six birdies on that front nine andit really helped me. Nothing wanted to drop on the back nine, but I hit topquality golf shots," said Barker.

"Then I finished the 18th and we thought I’d wonand my friend had already sprayed champagne on me, and I’d had a few sips. Butthere was a mistake on the leaderboard and then I was told Pieter had madebirdie on the last to take it to a play-off. So I had to get to the tee for theplay-off. Luckily I made a great birdie there."

The victory is Barker’s secondthis year following his breakthrough triumph in the Stella Artois PlayersChampionship in April.

“It feels amazing to have wonagain. I had so much energy this week.”

The victory is also a timely onewith Barker planning for a wedding at the end of this year.

“Now I can pay for thephotographer and the flowers.”

- Michael Vlismas

Final Scores (* won in playoff):

203 - *KyleBarker, Pieter Moolman

205 - MartinRohwer

206 - YuravPremlall, Nikhil Rama

207 - StefanWears-Taylor, Jake Redman, Gerhard Pepler, Luca Filippi, Pierre Pellegrin, CJdu Plessis

208 - LouisAlbertse, Robin Williams, Jean Hugo, Albert Venter

210 - PeterKarmis, Jordan Duminy, Kyle De Beer

211 - MatthewSpacey, Rhys West, Christiaan Basson, Dayne Moore, Ricky Hendler, WynandDingle, Ryan Van Velzen, Ruan Korb, Christiaan Burke

212 - RuanConradie, Gerhard Trytsman, Toto Thimba Jnr, Hennie Otto, Erhard Lambrechts,Jacquin Hess, Rupert Kaminski

213 - FredrikFrom, James Mack, Otto Van Buynder, Estiaan Conradie, Luke Trocado, QuintinWilsnach, Lyle Rowe

214 - RonaldRugumayo, Kyle McClatchie, Hennie O'Kennedy, Franklin Manchest, Clancy Waugh

215 - MerrickBremner216 - RigardtAlbertse, Michael Kok, Hunter Epson

217 - MadalitsoMuthiya, Trevor Fisher Jnr221 - NeilWhitehorn

2023-09-15 19:47:30

Moolman battles weather to lead Vodacom Origins Devonvale

PieterMoolman survived a brutal first round of wind, rain and weather delays to posta five-under-par 66 and claim a two-stroke clubhouse lead in the VodacomOrigins of Golf at Devonvale Golf and Wine Estate.

Thelast vestiges of the Cape winter brought wind and rain on day one of thisSunshine Tour event, which resulted in a suspension because of waterloggedgreens.

Play did eventually resume, but the first round will have to becompleted on Saturday morning. Moolmanmade it into the clubhouse just before darkness, and with CJ du Plessis hisnearest challenger following a three-under 68.

“Adelay always lengthens your day. I’m very happy because the conditions werevery tough out there. I’m not really happy with where my game is at right now.I’m not playing like I need to. But I’m just keeping it in play and givingmyself birdie opportunities where I can,” said Moolman.

Ashis nearest challenger, Du Plessis suffered the brunt of the bad weather in themorning and was delighted to sign for a round of 68.

“Itwas exceptionally tough. The weather was brutal and there were strong winds anddelays, so I was really pleased with my round,” he said of a day which startedon the 10th hole for him and which he bogeyed before responding withan eagle at the next.

“Ifelt like 10 was probably the toughest hole on the course today. I was happywith my bounce back on 11, where I hit a good drive and then a beautiful fouriron to three feet and made the putt.”

- Michael Vlismas

2023-09-01 18:25:16

Dream win for Pepler at Gary & Vivienne Player Challenge

Gerhard Pepler made his talent and mental strength public on Friday as he came from four strokes behind to claim a thrilling victory in the Gary & Vivienne Player Challenge at the White River Country Club and earn his maiden win on the Sunshine Tour.

The 23-year-old rookie fired his third consecutive round of 66 to finish on 15-under-par for the R2 million event, two shots clear of James Hart du Preez and Hennie Otto.

“It's a dream come true to win in my rookie season, but it feels unreal as well, like I’m going to wake up. Of course now I can look forward to playing at the Gary & Vivienne Player Invitational at The Lost City as well. For any South African golfer growing up, it’s always about Mr Player and it’s amazing what he has done for our golf, he’s the reason this all happens,” Pepler said.

The tournament’s most consistent golfer won out in the end, but he had to weather a rollercoaster back nine.

Pepler sealed victory in spectacular fashion with an eagle-three on the 16th hole and then a chip-in for birdie on the par-three 17th. That took him to 16-under and he could even afford a bogey on the par-four closing hole.

Having won three times on the Altron Big Easy Tour since July last year, Pepler brought the same composure to Friday’s final round. He started well with a birdie on the par-five first hole, and an eagle on the par-five seventh hole saw him turn in 32.

His back nine included three birdies and three bogeys, but also the crucial eagle on the 16th.

“This course sets up nicely for me and I’m long enough to hit it past the trees. So going for the flag on 16 was always on the cards once I hit the fairway. I had 134 to the flag and hit a sand-wedge in, aiming a bit short of the hole, and then I sunk the 10-foot putt,” Pepler explained.

“That eagle helped a lot and then the chip-in on 17 nailed the win. I’d be lying if I said the nerves were not there. I had a bit of bad luck on the back nine with the swirling wind not pushing the ball back on 11 and ending in the hazard, and then a plugged lie in the bunker on 14. And then the nerves made it feel much more difficult.

“I’ve knocked on the door a couple of times already this season, but just one hole would take me out of it. But I’ve been working very hard with my mental coach on not staying in the past, not thinking about your mistakes the whole time but just the next hole. So I did not lose my cool. I was able to stay in it after making a small mistake today."

Kyle de Beer, who had led after the first two rounds, started the final round solidly with two birdies in his first seven holes to move to 16-under. But he bogeyed the next two holes and then also dropped shots on 11, 12 and 14, to post a 73 for 12-under-par.

Dylan Naidoo began the final round two behind De Beer and was one-under at the turn. But he also bogeyed the 11th and 12th holes, and dropped a shot as well on the final hole, to finish with a 71. He and De Beer shared fourth place.

- Michael Vlismas

SCORES:

198 - Gerhard Pepler 66 66 66

200 - James Hart du Preez 70 66 64, Hennie Otto 64 69 67

201 - Dylan Naidoo 66 64 71, Kyle De Beer 63 65 73

202 - Merrick Bremner 68 67 67203 - Rhys West 66 69 68

204 - Richie O'Donovan 67 71 66, Willie Olivier 70 66 68, Doug McGuigan 68 67 69, Christiaan Basson 68 66 70

205 - Wynand Dingle 68 72 65, Rupert Kaminski 69 70 66, Anthony Michael 67 72 66, Jonathan Broomhead 69 68 68, Karabo Mokoena 70 67 68, Jacques Blaauw 68 69 68, Ruan Korb 67 69 69, Jovan Rebula 68 68 69, Luke Brown 68 65 72

206 - Reinhardt Blaauw 71 69 66, Danie Van Niekerk 71 68 67, DK Kim 68 70 68, Ruan Conradie 68 69 69, Keenan Davidse 64 71 71, Trevor Fisher Jnr 72 63 71

207 - Robin Williams 67 71 69, Tristin Galant 66 72 69, Luca Filippi 70 67 70, Jean Hugo 64 73 70, Malcolm Mitchell 72 64 71, Richard Joubert 69 67 71, Hennie O'Kennedy 69 65 73

208 - Nikhil Rama 73 67 68, Pierre Pellegrin 72 67 69, Rourke van der Spuy 68 70 70, Nyasha Muyambo 69 68 71, Louis Albertse 67 68 73

209 - LB Boshoff 73 67 69, Martin Vorster 68 71 70, James Mack 71 68 70

210 - Jacques P de Villiers 67 73 70, Nicholaus Frade 72 67 71, Keagan Thomas 69 69 72

211 - Luke Jerling 72 68 71, Sentanio Minnie 70 70 71, Jastice Mashego 70 70 71, Conner Mackenzie 69 70 72, Jason Roets 69 70 72, Paul Boshoff 74 64 73, Matthew Spacey 70 67 74, Jack Hawksby 67 68 76

212 - Caylum Boon 65 73 74

213 - Evance Vukeya 73 67 73, Tyron Davidowitz 71 69 73, Martin Rohwer 67 69 77

214 - Mutahi Kibugu 72 67 75

2023-08-31 20:46:55

De Beer chasing maiden win on Sunshine Tour

Kyle de Beer produced another fabulous bogey-free round on the secondday of the Gary & Vivienne Player Challenge at White River Country Club onThursday, and said he was only going to focus on taking on the golf courseshot-for-shot as he goes into Friday’s final round with a two-shot lead.

Playing in only his third Sunshine Tour event but his first as aprofessional, De Beer fired a six-under-par 65 in Thursday’s second round toclimb to 14-under-par for the tournament, stretching his lead after histerrific 63 on the first day.

The most impressive feature of his round was that he birdied three ofthe par-threes, showing that his iron play was once again impressive.

“I definitely followed up yesterday’s solid round which was really nice.I was a bit more scratchy off the tee today, so I had to work harder with myapproach play, but my irons got me out of trouble and I hit some really goodshots,” De Beer said on Thursday.

“It feels really good to be bogey-free through 36 holes. I’m verychuffed with that and hopefully I can keep the same going in the final round. Inearly messed it up though on the 18th, but I saved my par with avery nice putt.

“I’ve been in these positions before as an amateur, but I know therewill be more pressure and nerves on Friday. I know when I’ve focused on the winand playing against others then I’ve usually come unstuck. I’m going to onlyfocus on playing shot-for-shot and taking on the golf course.

“I know what I need to focus on. I’m going to stick to my guns and backmyself. It’s going to be a long day, but I’m ready for it,” the former SAAmateur champion said.

- Michael Vlismas

SCORES:

128 - Kyle De Beer 63 65

130 - Dylan Naidoo 66 64

132 - Gerhard Pepler 66 66

133 - Hennie Otto 64 69, Luke Brown 68 65

134 - Christiaan Basson 68 66, Hennie O'Kennedy 6965

135 - Jack Hawksby 67 68, Rhys West 66 69, TrevorFisher Jnr 72 63, Louis Albertse 67 68, Merrick Bremner 68 67,Doug McGuigan 68 67, Keenan Davidse 64 71

136 - Willie Olivier 70 66, James Hart du Preez 7066, Jovan Rebula 68 68, Martin Rohwer 67 69, Richard Joubert 6967, Ruan Korb 67 69, Malcolm Mitchell 72 64

137 - Jacques Blaauw 68 69, Karabo Mokoena 70 67,Nyasha Muyambo 69 68, Matthew Spacey 70 67, Jean Hugo 64 73,Luca Filippi 70 67, Jonathan Broomhead 69 68, Ruan Conradie 6869

138 - Caylum Boon 65 73, Tristin Galant 66 72, RobinWilliams 67 71, Paul Boshoff 74 64, Richie O'Donovan 67 71, DKKim 68 70, Keagan Thomas 69 69, Rourke van der Spuy 68 70

139 - James Mack 71 68, Jason Roets 69 70, MartinVorster 68 71, Nicholaus Frade 72 67, Mutahi Kibugu 72 67,Pierre Pellegrin 72 67, Anthony Michael 67 72, RupertKaminski 69 70, Danie Van Niekerk 71 68, Conner Mackenzie 69 70

140 - Tyron Davidowitz 71 69, Nikhil Rama 73 67,Wynand Dingle 68 72, Jacques P de Villiers 67 73, ReinhardtBlaauw 71 69, LB Boshoff 73 67, Evance Vukeya 73 67, JasticeMashego 70 70, Sentanio Minnie 70 70, Luke Jerling 72 68

2023-08-30 19:14:58

Dream Sunshine Tour debut for De Beer in White River

Former SA Amateur champion Kyle de Beer isplaying in his first Sunshine Tour tournament as a professional this week, butthe 25-year-old showed that he is not feeling the pressure as he fired a superbeight-under-par 63 to claim the lead after the first round of the Gary &Vivienne Player Challenge at White River Country Club on Wednesday.

Beginning on the 10th hole, DeBeer birdied his first four holes to send out a reverberating warning shot thathe has arrived. After his 3-4-2-3 start, De Beer showed that par is also asatisfactory outcome on a course that has plenty of trees, water and elevationchanges, going to the turn in 32, before picking up four more birdies on thefront nine.

The former GolfRSA star, playing on aninvitation, is one stroke ahead of the seasoned trio of Jean Hugo, KeenanDavidse and Hennie Otto.

“It was a dream start making four birdies in arow and then I just played very solid with some really nice par-saves and thenI picked off a couple of birdies on the front nine,” De Beer saidmatter-of-factly after his stunning debut.

“But I’m very chuffed and I’m veryexcited just to be playing, to be honest. To shoot 63 is the cherry on top.”

“My approach play was really good, my ironsand wedges were really strong, and I hit a lot of approaches inside 10 feet anda few inside six feet. From that distance you back yourself to make birdies, sothat was the part of my game that really shone,” De Beer added.

The Gqeberha resident has had a mediocre timeon the Altron Big Easy Tour this year with only one top-20 finish in fourevents, but a step up in quality brought a dramatic improvement in De Beer’sfortunes on Wednesday.

“I haven’t set the world alight this year sofar and I’ve been quite disappointed with my results to be honest. My standardof golf has not been very high, but I’m on the Altron Big Easy Tour to developas a pro, to learn. I’ve put in a lot of work recently and I felt some goodgolf was just around the corner.

“But it’s still very much a process of gettingmy confidence back and trusting myself a bit more on the golf course. I’vewanted to free myself up a bit more and let my game speak for itself and I’mglad to have done it today.

“I’m very proud with how I’ve played andhopefully I can bring my best again on the next two days. But as everyone ingolf knows, it’s a whole another day tomorrow, it will be a different story.

“This course is not the longest, but it ischallenging and the par-threes are very strong, not crazy-long but there is alot of trouble lurking. You have to be very straight off the tee here, ifyou’re not then you’ll end up behind trees or have some very bad lies,” De Beersaid.

- Michael Vlismas

SCORES:

63 - Kyle De Beer

64 - Jean Hugo, Keenan Davidse, Hennie Otto

65 - Caylum Boon

66 - Keegan Mclachlan, Dylan Naidoo, Rhys West, GerhardPepler, Tristin Galant

67 - Richie O'Donovan, Ruan Korb, Anthony Michael, JackHawksby, Louis Albertse, Jacques P de Villiers, Martin Rohwer, Robin Williams

68 - DK Kim, Luke Brown, Rourke van der Spuy, Ruan Conradie,Hayden Griffiths, Doug McGuigan, Erhard Lambrechts, Christiaan Basson, JacquesBlaauw, Wynand Dingle, Jovan Rebula, Merrick Bremner, Martin Vorster, MatiasCalderon

69 - Richard Joubert, Nyasha Muyambo, Leon Visser, JohanTheron, Keagan Thomas, Jonathan Broomhead, Adam Breen, Rupert Kaminski, ConnerMackenzie, Slade Pickering, Jason Roets, Hennie O'Kennedy

70 - Luke Trocado, Karabo Mokoena, Jastice Mashego, SentanioMinnie, Matthew Spacey, Luca Filippi, Drikus Joubert, Vaughn van Deventer,Michael Kok, Willie Olivier, David Wicks, James Hart du Preez, Robson Chinhoi,Albert Venter, Allister de Kock

71 - Lyle Rowe, Danie Van Niekerk, Toto Thimba Jnr, FranklinManchest, Tyron Davidowitz, Alphius Kelapile, James Mack, Stuart Krog,Reinhardt Blaauw, Adriel Poonan, Jabulane Mabilane

72 - Ruan Groenewald, Pierre Pellegrin, Combrinck Smit, JacoVan Zyl, Malcolm Mitchell, Luke Jerling, Jason Smith, Clancy Waugh, EthanSmith, Trevor Fisher Jnr, Nicholaus Frade, Marcel Steyn Scholtz, Mutahi Kibugu

73 - Ryan Tipping, Estiaan Conradie, Chris Cannon, HunterEpson, Makhetha Mazibuko, Nikhil Rama, Alex Haindl, Fredrik From, Sean Bradley,Jonathan Waschefort, Kyle McClatchie, LB Boshoff, Visitor Mapwanya, EvanceVukeya

74 - Paul Boshoff, Gregory Mckay, Ryan Van Velzen, SteveSurry, Dalton Viviers, Ricky Hendler, Quintin Wilsnach, CJ du Plessis, HeinrichBruiners, Brandon-Jude Rennie

75 - Ronald Rugumayo, Lyle Pedro, Wade Jacobs, MadalitsoMuthiya, Travis Ladner, Musiwalo Nethunzwi, Callum Mowat, Aneurin Gounden

76 - Reece Mc Kain, Warwick Purchase, Gerhard Trytsman, JamesPennington, Sydney Joseph Wemba

77 - Mandla Dlamini Jnr, Kyle Barker, Christiaan Burke, SlendaSithebe

78 - Francois van Staden, Fezekile Kana, Thabang Simon

79 - Siyanda Mwandla, Irvin Mazibuko

80 - Jared Harvey

2023-08-27 17:02:05

2023-08-27 16:55:21

Team triumph for Filippi and Van Velzen at Ubunye Championship

Luca Filippi and Ryan van Velzen produced someincredible golf under the pressure of a two-hole playoff to win the Ubunye Championship team event at Pretoria Country Club on Sunday.

Filippi and Van Velzen finished regulation play tiedfor the lead with Hennie O’Kennedy and Louis Albertse on 18 under par afterboth teams signed for betterball scores of 64.

This after O’Kennedy inparticular made some crucial putts coming in to force the playoff.There was nothing to separate the two teams after thefirst playoff hole on the par-five 18th, played under a betterballformat.

Playing the hole again under a foursomes format,O’Kennedy and Albertse were unlucky to see their ball plug under the lip of thegreenside bunker.

But Filippi and Van Velzen had still produced enough qualityof their own to ensure a birdie and the win.

“We dovetailed well. I had a few difficult holes andLuca backed me up most of the time. But we came through strong in the end. Weboth made good birdies on the first playoff hole under the betterball format.And then playing the second playoff hole as foursomes, I took the initiativeoff the tee. I gave Luca a nice number in and he hit a great second into themiddle of the green,” said Van Velzen.

For Filippi, Van Velzen’s drive did indeed set up theperfect approach.

“I had a perfect number for an eight iron and just hitit to the middle of the green. I didn’t know that Hennie’s ball was plugged. Ithink they got a bit unfortunate there, but we took two putts and sealed thedeal.”

This was Van Velzen’s second victory on the SunshineTour, while Filippi finally broke through with his maiden win.

“It’s been a long time. I’m very emotional to behonest,” said Filippi.

“It’s taken two long years and a lot of runner-upfinishes. I’ve learnt that patience is key. You can work hard and it willalways pay off. I couldn’t be more happy, and especially to win with Ryan thisweek.”

- Michael Vlismas

2023-08-24 17:59:22

Team Broomhead and Pepler set pace in Bain’s Whisky Ubunye Championship

It was the pairing that was never meant to bebut which worked out perfectly as Jonathan Broomhead and Gerhard Peplercombined for a one-stroke lead after Thursday’s betterball in the Bain’s WhiskyUbunye Championship at Pretoria Country Club.

Broomhead and Pepler worked to each other’s strengthsand came through the first round with an 11-under-par 61, one stroke clear ofthe team of Wynand Dingle and Heinrich Bruiners, and with the duo of StefanWears-Taylor and Trevor Fisher Jnr. on nine under par.

But it was only a few days before this team event thatBroomhead and Pepler finally settled on their pairing.

“I was actually supposed to play with someone else andthey pulled out at the last minute, and then Gerhard asked me, and with anybodythat hits it as long as he does I was more than happy to say yes,” Broomheadsaid of how their pairing came about.

It certainly worked for them on Thursday as theymanaged their gameplan superbly.

“I was going off first on most of the tee boxes andjust putting us in play and then Gerhard was just going for it. With his lengthon this golf course you can really take advantage, and I think we did that,”said Broomhead.

And Pepler was more than happy to be left to play hisown game.“Jonathan hits it really straight which allows me togo for everything, which suits my game. I made some good putts, but it’s easyto make putts when you have four people (two pros and two caddies) helping toread the putts.”

Behind them, Dingle and Bruiners were another pairingthat came together at the last minute.Dingle joked that he was turned down by his friends soapproached Bruiners. But the reality is that these two have known each otherfor long enough to understand exactly how well they can play together.

“We’ve known each other for a long time and everythingworked out fine. My driver broke during the round so I just tried to play asupporting role. He played really well and if he missed a green I just tried tohit it on and make a par. I was just there in the background and made a fewcrucial putts to keep the momentum going. I think we’re both quite excitedabout the next few days. The motto is to stay aggressive. Wynand is in chargehere. He told me we’re not here to play it safe. I’m generally a plot my wayaround the course kind of player. But Wynand said the flag is red this week andwe’re just going to go for everything,” said Bruiners.

But Dingle admitted that Friday’s foursomes formatwill require a different strategy.“That’s a different gameplan. You need to be a bitmore conservative and can’t be as aggressive as we were today. But we’ll stilltry and keep moving forward.”

- Michael Vlismas

Scores (Betterball):

61 - J Broomhead & G Pepler

62 - W Dingle & H Bruiners

63 - S Wears-Taylor & T Fisher Jnr

64 - R Kaminski & JH du Preez, LAlbertse & H O'Kennedy, J Hugo & R Korb

65 - R van Velzen & L Filippi, RWilliams & T Galant, C Waugh & H Epson, K Barker & U vanden Berg, M Rohwer & M Bremner, R Chinhoi & S Krog, TDavidowitz & W Olivier

66 - V Van Deventer & LB Boshoff, KMclachlan & C Mowat, L Brown & H Griffiths, M Mitchell &J Van Zyl, M Muthiya & T Thimba Jnr, D Wicks & JHawksby, R van der Spuy & G Mckay, A Venter & CJ duPlessis, JJ Senekal & B Stone, P Moolman & J Prinsloo, EConradie & R Conradie, Q Wilsnach & D Joubert

67 - F From & N Muyambo, J Harvey& M Hollick, A Breen & K McClatchie, H Otto & LVisser, L Rowe & J Redman, A Gounden & C Mackenzie, CSmit & E Lambrechts, M Spacey & S Surry, M Vorster & JRebula

68 - S Cronje & JP Strydom, D Naidoo& K Davidse, C Cannon & L Jerling

69 - A de Kock & K Africa, G Trytsman& D Van Niekerk, J Blaauw & R West

70 - F Manchest & R Joubert, N Rama& K Van Wyk, A Poonan & M Mazibuko, A Haindl & J deVilliers, A Michael & DK Kim, J Mack & R Hendler

71 - S Bradley & J Smith

72 - K Thomas & M Kok

2023-08-18 21:11:45

Back nine blitz earns Mitchell SunBet Challenge Time Square title

A strong back nine saw Malcolm Mitchell cruise to a remarkable four-stroke victory in the SunBet Challenge Time Square at Wingate Park Country Club on Friday and claim his maiden win on the Sunshine Tour.

After turning in one under for his round, Mitchell made five birdies on the back nine for a final round of 66 to win on 14 under par. He finished well clear of second-placed Louis Albertse, who had a great last day with a 65 to end on 10 under par.

Mitchell’s victory was his first on the Sunshine Tour in his 73rd event, and comes after he was the runner-up to Estiaan Conradie in the same event at Wingate two years ago.

Starting the final round two strokes behind overnight leader and travelling companion Jaco van Zyl, Mitchell was still trailing the leaders when he reached the turn in just one-under for his round, despite making an eagle on the par-five second.

But a birdie on the par-four 10th kicked off an astonishing back nine that saw him pick up further shots on the 13th, 14th, 15th and 18th holes as he pulled clear of the field.

“I was absolutely in the zone after I woke up this morning – just feeling good and happy. I know I play well here. There’s something about this course that just suits my eye. I just love it here and it’s one of my favourites.

“I spoke with Estiaan on the morning of the final round and I said the event two years ago actually brings me a lot of confidence. It might have looked comfortable today, but the first nine was actually very hectic and I made some very good up-and-downs.

“But then on the back nine I just felt the calmest I have ever felt in my life. My ball striking was unbelievable. I was making putts, and before I knew it, I opened my eyes and I had three birdies in a row from nowhere,” Mitchell beamed.

His caddie, the well-travelled Zwelithini “Terence” Ngoma, also had reason to feel delighted.

“It might sound arrogant, but I have this thing with my caddie. I have a very nice watch at home which I told him I would give to him when I get my first win on tour. And I don’t know why, but I actually packed it in the car this morning, I just had a feeling, I guess,” Mitchell explained.

Behind him, a fierce competitive streak is one of Albertse’s prime traits and starting the day seven strokes behind Van Zyl did not bother him.

A tremendous start saw Albertse birdie seven of the first eight holes to claim the lead. The Pretoria local bogeyed the par-four ninth hole, but birdied 10 and 11 to regain the lead.

But dropped shots at the 12th and 15th holes ended his brave challenge.

Ryan van Velzen also mounted a charge on the back nine, with an eagle on the par-five 15th leaving him on five-under for the round.

But he bogeyed the 17th and could only par the par-five closing hole to finish with a 68 and alone in third place on nine-under.

Overnight leader Van Zyl stumbled to a 75 in the final round, with just one birdie, finishing in a tie for sixth place on seven-under-par.

- Michael Vlismas

FINALSCORES:

202 - Malcolm Mitchell 68 68 66

206 - Louis Albertse 70 71 65

207 - Ryan Van Velzen 68 71 68

208 - Luca Filippi 67 71 70, Trevor Fisher Jnr 71 6671

209 - Jean Hugo 70 73 66, Robin Williams 70 72 67,Quintin Wilsnach 72 67 70, Rupert Kaminski 72 67 70, RhysWest 69 67 73, Jaco Van Zyl 68 66 75

211 - Sean Bradley 73 69 69, Luke Jerling 73 69 69,Thriston Lawrence 76 65 70, Matthew Spacey 70 71 70, EstiaanConradie 72 69 70, Keegan Mclachlan 72 68 71, Jaco Prinsloo 6967 75, JC Ritchie 67 68 76

212 - Heinrich Bruiners 69 69 74, Anthony Michael 7164 77

213 - Richard Joubert 76 68 69, JonathanBroomhead 71 72 70, Gerhard Pepler 74 68 71, Daniel vanTonder 72 70 71

214 - Aneurin Gounden 71 72 71, Fredrik From 69 7372, Jacques Blaauw 70 72 72, Stuart Krog 70 71 73

215 - Michael Hollick 75 69 71, Deon Germishuys 7767 71, Willie Olivier 72 72 71, James Mack 72 72 71, Danie VanNiekerk 70 74 71, Jason Smith 71 70 74216 - Wynand Dingle 73 71 72, Jovan Rebula 75 69 72,Jake Roos 69 72 75, Martin Rohwer 70 69 77

217 - James Pennington 74 70 73, Michael Kok 73 7173, Ruan Korb 70 74 73, Allister de Kock 71 72 74

218 - Yurav Premlall 70 74 74, Matias Calderon 71 7374, Madalitso Muthiya 72 71 75, James Hart du Preez 67 75 76, TyronDavidowitz 70 71 77

219 - Adam Breen 75 68 76220 - Jonathan Waschefort 74 70 76223 - Ricky Hendler 73 71 79224 - Jacques P de Villiers 73 71 80

2023-08-17 18:27:12

Van Zyl ready for final round gamble in SunBet Challenge Time Square

Jaco van Zyl will go into thefinal round of the SunBet Challenge Time Square tournament at Wingate ParkCountry Club with a one-stroke lead, but he says whether he nets a 16th SunshineTour title on Friday depends on whether the same golfer that shot 68 and 66 inthe first two rounds pitches up again on the third day of the R2 million event.

Van Zyl posted a brilliantsix-under-par 66 in the second round on Thursday to climb to 10-under-par forthe tournament, heading out in the afternoon and surpassing the superb 64posted by Anthony Michael which lifted him to nine-under alongside JC Ritchie(68).

It depends on who pitches up: thehead-in-the-clouds me who just wants to fly, or the feet-on-the-ground me whois here to play golf. Fortunately the golfer in me has pitched up these firsttwo days and I’m very excited about the final round,” Van Zyl said on Thursday.

“I will just take it hole-by-holeand see what the golfing gods have in store for us. This is one of those golfcourses where if you are really on song then it feels easy, but if you are abit off your game then it can really bite you.

“But I’m playing nicely andputting very well. It’s good to be in this position on this golf course becauseit has not treated me very well in the past. I’m very chuffed,” Van Zyl said.

SCORES:

134 - JacoVan Zyl 68 66

135 - Anthony Michael 71 64, JC Ritchie 67 68

136 - Jaco Prinsloo 69 67, Malcolm Mitchell 68 68,Rhys West 69 67

137 - Trevor Fisher Jnr 71 66

138 - Luca Filippi 67 71, Heinrich Bruiners 69 69

139 - Rupert Kaminski 72 67, Ryan Van Velzen 68 71,Martin Rohwer 70 69, Quintin Wilsnach 72 67

140 - Keegan Mclachlan 72 68

141 - Jason Smith 71 70, Stuart Krog 70 71, EstiaanConradie 72 69, Tyron Davidowitz 70 71, Matthew Spacey 70 71,Thriston Lawrence 76 65, Jake Roos 69 72, Louis Albertse 70 71

142 - Daniel van Tonder 72 70, Luke Jerling 73 69,Robin Williams 70 72, Sean Bradley 73 69, Jacques Blaauw 70 72,James Hart du Preez 67 75, Fredrik From 69 73, Gerhard Pepler 7468

143 - Allister de Kock 71 72, Adam Breen 75 68,Jonathan Broomhead 71 72, Jean Hugo 70 73, Madalitso Muthiya 7271, Aneurin Gounden 71 72

144 - Danie Van Niekerk 70 74, Ruan Korb 70 74,James Mack 72 72, Willie Olivier 72 72, Michael Kok 73 71,Jonathan Waschefort 74 70, James Pennington 74 70, RichardJoubert 76 68, Jovan Rebula 75 69, Jacques P de Villiers 73 71,Deon Germishuys 77 67, Matias Calderon 71 73, Wynand Dingle 7371, Yurav Premlall 70 74, Michael Hollick 75 69, RickyHendler 73 71

- Michael Vlismas

2023-08-16 18:18:51

Trio on top in SunBet Challenge TimeSquare

The Wingate Park Country Club wasa worthy test for the majority of the field on a windy day in Pretoria onWednesday, but a trio of golfers in JC Ritchie, James Hart du Preez and LucaFilippi managed to shoot 67s to share a one-stroke lead after the first roundof the SunBet Challenge Time Square.

DuPreez set the tone in the morning with a tremendous bogey-free round, withRitchie and Filippi then matching him with their own five-under-par rounds inthe afternoon as the wind stiffened.

Ritchie,a 10-time winner on the Sunshine Tour, was back on home fairways aftercampaigning in Europe, and started superbly with five birdies on the frontnine. But he bogeyed the par-four 10th to cede some momentum,and came home in level-par after a birdie on the par-five 15th.

Filippi started with a bogey onthe par-four first hole, but recovered with three birdies on the front nine andthen finished strongly with three birdies over the last five holes.

As much as the power gamedominates at present, Ritchie does not believe that the big hitters willnecessarily be at an advantage in this R2 million event that ends on Friday.

Furtherdown the leaderboard, Heinrich Bruiners finds himself in contention for thesecond week in succession following an opening 69.

SCORES:

67 - James Hart du Preez, JC Ritchie, Luca Filippi

68 - Jaco Van Zyl, Ryan Van Velzen, Malcolm Mitchell

69 - Heinrich Bruiners, Jake Roos, Fredrik From, Rhys West,Adriel Poonan, Marcel Steyn Scholtz, Jaco Prinsloo

70 - Matthew Spacey, Jacques Blaauw, Louis Albertse, YuravPremlall, Ruan Korb, Danie Van Niekerk, Stuart Krog, Martin Rohwer, Jean Hugo,Gerhard Trytsman, Robin Williams, Tyron Davidowitz

71 - Trevor Fisher Jnr, Matias Calderon, Musiwalo Nethunzwi,Allister de Kock, Keelan Africa, Jason Smith, Anthony Michael, JonathanBroomhead, Aneurin Gounden

72 - Peter Karmis, Stefan Wears-Taylor, Robson Chinhoi, MartinVorster, Jack Hawksby, Quintin Wilsnach, Keagan Thomas, Leon Visser, KeeganMclachlan, Ethan Smith, Rupert Kaminski, Daniel van Tonder, James Mack,Madalitso Muthiya, Jared Harvey, Estiaan Conradie, Willie Olivier

73 - Gregory Mckay, Riekus Nortje, Pierre Pellegrin, KyleMcClatchie, Hayden Griffiths, Jacques P de Villiers, Wynand Dingle, DK Kim,Dayne Moore, Callum Mowat, Franklin Manchest, Ricky Hendler, Jason Roets,Brandon Smith, Ulrich van den Berg, Dan Erickson, Toto Thimba Jnr, HennieO'Kennedy, Hennie Otto, Luke Jerling, Sean Bradley, Michael Kok, LB Boshoff

74 - James Pennington, Christiaan Basson, Gerhard Pepler, Ruande Smidt, Lyle Rowe, Erhard Lambrechts, Jonathan Waschefort, Keelan van Wyk

75 - Nikhil Rama, Jovan Rebula, Michael Hollick, RuanConradie, Vaughn van Deventer, Adam Breen, Hunter Epson, Wade Jacobs

76 - Omar Sandys, Richard Joubert, Alphius Kelapile, SiyandaMwandla, Alex Haindl, Thriston Lawrence, Kyle Barker, Pieter Moolman, SentanioMinnie, Steve Surry, Chris Cannon, Mandla Dlamini Jnr

77 - Thabang Simon, Nicholaus Frade, Makhetha Mazibuko, DeonGermishuys, Karabo Mokoena, Luke Trocado, Drikus Joubert, Clancy Waugh

78 - Mutahi Kibugu, Jacquin Hess, Sean Cronje, MerrickBremner, CJ du Plessis, Travis Ladner, Tristin Galant, Jastice Mashego,Combrinck Smit, Luke Brown

79 - Albert Venter, David Wicks, Reinhardt Blaauw, Rourke vander Spuy

80 - Ryan Tipping

81 - Irvin Mazibuko, Sipho Bujela, Jake Redman

82 - Christiaan Burke, Slenda Sithebe

85 - Nyasha Muyambo

88 - Gerard Moodley

- Michael Vlismas

2023-08-13 20:27:04

Kruyswijk wins Vodacom Origins opener at Zebula

JacquesKruyswijk claimed his third victory on the Sunshine Tour with a one-stroketriumph in the Vodacom Origins of Golf at Zebula Country Club on Sunday.

Kruyswijklaid the foundation for his win with a final round that saw him atsix-under-par through the first 15 holes.

It allowed him a bogey at the last ashe signed for a 67 and victor yon 13 under par. Heinrich Bruiners took secondplace on 12 under as he also closed with a bogey for a 70.

TheCenturion-based Kruyswijk began the final round two shots behind Bruiners, butthree birdies in his first six holes on Sunday saw him overtake the Fancourtgolfer and sit handily just one stroke behind his playing partner and newleader Pieter Moolman, who also went out with three birdies in his opening sixholes.

Furtherbirdies on the 11th, 13th and 15th holesdrew Kruyswijk level at the top, and he had the sole lead in the clubhouseafter Moolman was undone by a triple-bogey seven at the 16th hole.

Bruinersbogeyed the par-four first hole, but thereafter played very solid golf and hisfourth birdie of the day, on the 16th, kept him in the hunt beforehis bogey on the last hole.

Moolmanfinished with a 71 to end in a tie for fifth on 10-under-par, alongside AdamBreen (66), Jean Hugo (67), Nikhil Rama (67), Luca Filippi (67), James Hart duPreez (68) and Neil Schietekat (70).

Theyoung duo of Jonathan Broomhead (68) and Gerhard Pepler (69) shared third placeon 11-under-par.

Inthe historic first appearance of the Sunshine Ladies Tour professionals in thesame tournament, playing for the same prize money as the men, Cara Gorlei wasthe only woman to make the cut and she closed with a 75 on Sunday to finishlevel-par and in a tie for 52nd place.

- Michael Vlismas

SCORES:

203 - JacquesKruyswijk 68 68 67

204 - Heinrich Bruiners 67 67 70

205 - Jonathan Broomhead 66 71 68, Gerhard Pepler 68 6869

206 - Adam Breen 70 70 66, Jean Hugo 70 69 67, NikhilRama 69 70 67, Luca Filippi 69 70 67, James Hart du Preez 72 6668, Neil Schietekat 68 68 70, Pieter Moolman 70 65 71

207 - Ryan Van Velzen 68 72 67, Ricky Hendler 68 7069, Trevor Fisher Jnr 70 65 72

208 - Jovan Rebula 67 68 73

209 - Sean Bradley 70 72 67, Kyle Barker 69 69 71, LBBoshoff 70 67 72

210 - Madalitso Muthiya 68 71 71, Daniel van Tonder 7465 71

2023-08-12 19:33:00

Bruiners chasing Vodacom Origins glory

Playing golf in South Africa's northern-most province seems to agree with Heinrich Bruiners as he will go into the final round of the Vodacom Origins of Golf at Zebula Country Club in pole position to claim his second Sunshine Tour title, 10 years after his first victory also came in Limpopo.

Bruiners completed back-to-back 67s on Saturday to post a 10-under-par total after two rounds, and he will take a one-shot lead into Sunday's final round.

His previous victory was also in the Vodacom Origins of Golf series, in the 2013 event played at nearby Euphoria Golf Estate in Mookgophong.

"I don't know if it's something in the air or being in the bush, but my first top-five was also in Limpopo and I was in the top-three after two rounds of a Challenge Tour event up here as well, but unfortunately I was sick over the weekend," said Bruiners.

"So it will be really nice to get over the line again having had 10 years to grow and mature as a person. Technically I'm in a much better space having changed equipment ahead of this tournament and feeling more comfortable with a more natural ball-flight. I felt like I was fighting my natural ball-flight before.

"And mentally, I feel ready as well. I know everyone is going to come hard in the final round and level-par is not going to be good enough, so I will just stay positive and use a gameplan that gives me lots of opportunities. But I will be quite happy just to take it all in. I'm quite comfortable with whatever the outcome will be," Bruiners said.

For the second day in succession, Bruiners was sublime over the back nine, where he started his round on Saturday.

Having come home in 32 strokes in the first round, he went one better in the second round by going out in 31 with birdies on the 10th, 11th, 14th, 15th and 18th holes.

On Saturday the 35-year-old came home in level-par, with three bogies cancelling out three birdies on the front nine. There are four golfers just one stroke behind Bruiners.

Jason Smith, Trevor Fisher Jnr and Pieter Moolman all fired 65s on Saturday to climb to nine-under-par for the tournament, alongside 26-year-old Jovan Rebula who signed for a 68.

Then three other golfers - Jacques Kruiswijk, Neil Schietekat and Gerhard Pepler - are on eight-under-par, having all shot 68s on Saturday.

With the presence of Sunshine Ladies Tour professionals competing with the men in the same tournament for the same prize money for the first time in Sunshine Tour history, Cara Gorlei is still the leading women's golfer.

She slipped down the leaderboard, however, in the second round, with her 74 taking her from tied-second to tied-31st on three-under.

- Michael Vlismas

Scores:

134 - Heinrich Bruiners 67 67

135 - Trevor Fisher Jnr 70 65, Pieter Moolman 70 65, Jovan Rebula 67 68, Jason Smith 70 65

136 - Neil Schietekat 68 68, Jacques Kruyswijk 68 68, Gerhard Pepler 68 68

137 - Lyle Rowe 68 69, LB Boshoff 70 67, Jonathan Broomhead 66 71

138 - Keelan van Wyk 68 70, Kyle Barker 69 69, James Hart du Preez 72 66, Ricky Hendler 68 70

139 - Hunter Epson 66 73, Madalitso Muthiya 68 71, Jean Hugo 70 69, Daniel van Tonder 74 65, Nikhil Rama 69 70, Jake Roos 70 69, James Mack 70 69, Jack Hawksby 69 70, Luca Filippi 69 70, Robin Williams 72 67, Christiaan Basson 72 67

140 - Ryan Van Velzen 68 72, Adam Breen 70 70, Keegan Mclachlan 74 66, Dylan Naidoo 70 70

2023-08-11 19:31:53

Sunshine Tour trio leads as Gorlei chases at Zebula

Jonathan Broomhead, Hunter Epson and Estiaan Conradie shared the first-round lead of the Vodacom Origins of Golf at Zebula Country Club on Friday with opening rounds of 66, but with Sunshine Ladies Tour professional Cara Gorlei just one stroke behind them.

Gorlei certainly made a statement with her opening 67 in what is a significant week for the local professional game, with the Sunshine Tour and Sunshine Ladies Tour professionals competing together for the first time in the same tournament for the same prize money.

Gorlei, fresh from playing mixed events in Thailand, looked right at home with her round of five under par and sits alongside Jovan Rebula and Heinrich Bruiners in the chasing pack.

At the top of the leaderboard, Broomhead was particularly impressive with his putter in a round that featured two stretches of three birdies in a row.

Importantly, his first hat-trick of birdies came at the start of his round as he teed off on the 10th hole and began with three straights threes.

"I started really well and that has a lot to do with the setting where Zebula is, in the bushveld. I really enjoy the bush. It's always relaxed and I just wanted to go out and see what I could do, and just take the round as it comes," Broomhead said.

"It was a very crucial start for me. I've been hitting the ball really good lately and I hit it the same today. I've just been struggling with my putting and getting the ball in the hole. But my putting was the best part of my game today.

"I hit the ball well off the tees and the fairway, but I made a few fairly lengthy putts. I rolled the ball really nicely today and the greens are so good. They're very fast and if you get the right line and pace then it pretty much always goes in. I definitely had more birdies today than I expected."

American Epson made an equally fast start to his round and also had three birdies in his first three holes on his way to a share of the lead.

Wingate Park's Conradie started his round on the 10th and was in reasonable shape on three-under-par through 14 holes.

But then he grabbed an eagle on the par-five sixth and a birdie three on the seventh in the late afternoon to join Broomhead and Epson at the top.

- Michael Vlismas

2023-07-29 17:49:25

Karmis breaks win drought at Eswatini Challenge

Peter Karmis has not won on theSunshine Tour since August 2018, but the 42-year-old showed he still has thebottle for it on Saturday as clinched a thrilling one-stroke victory in the FNBEswatini Challenge at the Nkonyeni Lodge and Golf Estate.

Karmis fired a two-under-par 70 inSaturday’s final round to finish on 10-under-par overall, edging out StuartKrog (69) on nine-under for his seventh Sunshine Tour title.

Matthew Spacey, who enjoyed afour-stroke lead going into the last day, stumbled to a 76 on Saturday andended up sharing third place on eight-under-par with Louis Albertse (67), lastweek’s winner CJ du Plessis (68) and Ruan Korb (69).

Although Karmis started brilliantlywith a birdie on the par-four first hole, and gained two more shots on theseventh and eighth holes to reach the turn on three-under, he endured arollercoaster back nine that saw him sandwich a birdie on the par-five 13th hole with bogeys on the 11th and 15th holes.

Karmis showed his mettle, however,by finishing with three straight pars, while Krog suffered a costlydouble-bogey on the par-four 16th hole.

“You need a bit of luck and thingswent my way, especially at the death,” Karmis said.

“I was trying not to gettoo excited and on the last couple of holes I was very nervous.

“Some guys shy away from nerves,they try and fix it, but that can become very difficult. I prefer to embrace itand enjoy the nerves.

“I know it’s been five years sinceI won, but we were in lockdown for a long time and I had a struggle withinjury. So it feels like I had three years off,” Karmis said.

Whatever the final round held instore for Karmis, he knew the Nkonyeni Golf Estate course was one he enjoyed.Saturday’s victory is his fourth in Eswatini, having won the Lombard InsuranceClassic twice (2007 & 2009) and the Investec Royal Swazi Open in 2017.

“I don’t know what it is aboutEswatini, but I always just seem to have a very good attitude here. This is avery good course that suits my game. I love the grainy greens, although I didhave a little issue with my putter today.

“But from tee-to-green I was good.I was a bit nervous about my Driver, but I hit it a lot today. I’ve played wellrecently and feel in good form,” Karmis said.

SCORES:

206 - Peter Karmis 66 70 70

207 - Stuart Krog 67 71 69

208 - Louis Albertse 73 68 67, CJ du Plessis 7070 68, Ruan Korb 70 69 69, Matthew Spacey 62 70 76

209 - Adam Breen 67 75 67, Estiaan Conradie 67 7072, Leon Visser 64 73 72

210 - Ruan Conradie 72 72 66, Malcolm Mitchell 7073 67, Ricky Hendler 69 70 71

211 - Dan Erickson 72 71 68, Quintin Wilsnach 7171 69, Heinrich Bruiners 68 73 70, Jacques P de Villiers 71 70 70,Jean-Paul Strydom 73 67 71, Ryan Van Velzen 71 69 71, ClancyWaugh 72 68 71

212 - Madalitso Muthiya 70 73 69, DrikusJoubert 71 72 69, Pierre Pellegrin 69 73 70, Neil Schietekat 7170 71, Danie Van Niekerk 72 67 73

213 - Wade Jacobs 72 71 70, Jacques Blaauw 74 6970, Merrick Bremner 75 68 70, DK Kim 71 70 72, Keelan van Wyk 6773 73, Luca Filippi 70 69 74, Callum Mowat 70 69 74, JeanHugo 67 71 75

214 - James Mack 75 69 70, Gerhard Pepler 68 7373, Rhys West 70 71 73

215 - Erhard Lambrechts 73 71 71, YuravPremlall 74 70 71, Michael Kok 70 73 72, Christiaan Basson 71 7173

216 - Keagan Thomas 75 70 71, Dayne Moore 72 7371, Franklin Manchest 72 72 72, Hayden Griffiths 72 70 74

217 - Luke Brown 71 71 75

218 - Lyle Rowe 71 73 74, Kyle Barker 70 73 75

219 - Stefan Wears-Taylor 72 73 74, JovanRebula 70 74 75, Gerhard Trytsman 70 71 78

220 - Allister de Kock 73 70 77

- Michael Vlismas

2023-07-28 18:59:55

Spacey chasing glory in Eswatini Challenge

It wasn’t the 62 that he openedthe tournament with, but Matthew Spacey’s second round of 70 at the NkonyeniLodge and Golf Estate on Friday was still enough to take him into a four-strokelead going into the final round of the FNB Eswatini Challenge.

Spacey climbed to 12-under-par inthis R2 million event and was content with his second round after havingextended his lead, with Peter Karmis (70) four strokes behind on eight-under,and Leon Visser, who shot 64 on the first day, tied with Estiaan Conradie onseven-under.

Spacey’s second round began on the10th hole and he wassolid to the turn, with birdies on the 13th and 17th holes seeing him go out in 34.

His back nine was more of astruggle, though. Although he birdied the par-four first hole, three bogeys inhis next four holes set him back. But Spacey undid much of the damage with asuperb eagle on the par-five eighth hole.

“I’m quite happy that I shot underpar,” Spacey said.

"I started well, but then had a wobble, before getting thingsright with an eagle on my 17th hole.

“There was a bit more breeze todayand it picked up in the afternoon. To be honest, I made a few bad swingsagainst it.

“I’m pretty excited about thefinal round. Anything can happen and I must just stick to my game-plan. Stayingpatient is what I’ve done really well, just letting things happen,” Spaceysaid.

The Nkonyeni Estate is comfortablyremoved from the urban hustle of Manzini, but the bushveld tranquillity wasdefinitely challenged by the course posing a real challenge on Friday.

Danie van Niekerk and JP Strydomregistered the low rounds of the day with 67s, which lifted both of them intothe top-20 on the leaderboard.

Closest to Spacey, however, was theseasoned Karmis, who overcame two bogeys and a double-drop with four birdies andan eagle, also on the eighth, for a 70 to leave him on eight-under, fourbehind.

Visser and Conradie are a furtherstroke behind, while Jean Hugo and Stuart Krog both shot 71s to be onsix-under-par.

SCORES:

132 - MatthewSpacey 62 70

136 - PeterKarmis 66 70

137 - LeonVisser 64 73, Estiaan Conradie 67 70

138 - JeanHugo 67 71, Stuart Krog 67 71

139 - CallumMowat 70 69, Luca Filippi 70 69, Danie Van Niekerk 72 67, RickyHendler 69 70, Ruan Korb 70 69

140 - Keelanvan Wyk 67 73, CJ du Plessis 70 70, Clancy Waugh 72 68, Ryan VanVelzen 71 69, Jean-Paul Strydom 73 67

141 - RhysWest 70 71, Jacques P de Villiers 71 70, DK Kim 71 70, NeilSchietekat 71 70, Heinrich Bruiners 68 73, Louis Albertse 73 68,Gerhard Pepler 68 73, Gerhard Trytsman 70 71

142 - ChristiaanBasson 71 71, Luke Brown 71 71, Pierre Pellegrin 69 73, AdamBreen 67 75, Hayden Griffiths 72 70, Quintin Wilsnach 71 71

143 - DrikusJoubert 71 72, Merrick Bremner 75 68, Jacques Blaauw 74 69,Malcolm Mitchell 70 73, Dan Erickson 72 71, Madalitso Muthiya 7073, Michael Kok 70 73, Kyle Barker 70 73, Allister de Kock 7370, Wade Jacobs 72 71

144 - YuravPremlall 74 70, Lyle Rowe 71 73, Jovan Rebula 70 74, FranklinManchest 72 72, James Mack 75 69, Ruan Conradie 72 72, ErhardLambrechts 73 71

145 - DayneMoore 72 73, Keagan Thomas 75 70, Stefan Wears-Taylor 72 73

- Michael Vlismas

2023-07-27 18:38:58

Spacey sets the pace in FNBEswatini Challenge

Matthew Spacey has enjoyed a solidstart to the 2023/24 Sunshine Tour season with five top-20 finishes, but if hehad a criticism of his performance so far it would be that his scoring has notproperly reflected how well he has been playing.

But the 32-year-old put thatall right on Thursday with an outstanding opening round of 62 in the FNBEswatini Challenge at the Nkonyeni Lodge and Golf Estate.

Spacey’s fabulous 10-under-parround left him two strokes clear at the top of the leaderboard and, remarkably,came after he had parred his first four holes. The birdie barrage then followedwith three in a row from the fifth hole and then another at the ninth was thestart of another hat-trick of birdies. A third sequence of three-in-a-row beganat the 13th and then he went to 10-under with a birdie on thepar-four 17th.

“I’ve had quite a good start tothe season, but I feel like the scores just haven’t quite been there,” Spaceysaid after his best ever round, by a staggering four strokes, on the SunshineTour.

“I’ve played a lot better than where I’ve finished, but today was one ofthose days when everything clicked. “I hit every fairway and I missedonly one green, so I gave myself a lot of chances. Most of my birdie putts wereclose to the hole. My game was just very solid all-round.

“I thought I made a very solidstart with those four pars because my game-plan was just to keep the ball inplay and give myself chances. I just wanted to be patient and eventually theputts will fall. And then I started hitting the ball a lot closer.

“I’ve always liked the Nkonyenicourse, it suits me with the way I play off the tee. But I think the way Iplayed today, I might have shot 62 anywhere,” a delighted Spacey chuckled.

Leon Visser, who has neverfinished in the top-10 on the Sunshine Tour before, also produced anastonishing round to seize second place after an eight-under 64. The25-year-old fired six birdies and eagled both the eighth and 13th holes,but also suffered two bogeys to leave him two behind Spacey.

In-form veteran Peter Karmis wasalone in third after shooting a 66, while Jean Hugo continued his strong startto the season with a 67 that left him in the tie for fourth place alongsideAdam Breen, Estiaan Conradie, Keelan van Wyk and Stuart Krog.

The second edition of the FNBEswatini Challenge enjoys a prize fund of R2 million, double the amount onoffer in last year’s inaugural event.

SCORES:

62 - Matthew Spacey

64 - Leon Visser

66 - Peter Karmis

67 - Adam Breen, Estiaan Conradie, Keelan van Wyk, JeanHugo, Stuart Krog

68 - Heinrich Bruiners, Gerhard Pepler

69 - Pierre Pellegrin, Ricky Hendler

70 - Michael Kok, Madalitso Muthiya, Robson Chinhoi, KyleBarker, Combrinck Smit, Ruan Korb, Gerhard Trytsman, Rhys West, Callum Mowat,CJ du Plessis, Luca Filippi, Malcolm Mitchell, Jovan Rebula, Jason Roets

71 - Neil Schietekat, Ryan Van Velzen, Quintin Wilsnach,Lindani Ndwandwe, Drikus Joubert, Christiaan Basson, Luke Brown, Lyle Rowe,Jacques P de Villiers, DK Kim

72 - Nicholaus Frade, Stefan Wears-Taylor, Jake Redman,Hayden Griffiths, Ruan Conradie, Wade Jacobs, Dayne Moore, Warwick Purchase,Danie Van Niekerk, Franklin Manchest, Dan Erickson, Clancy Waugh, Brandon-JudeRennie

73 - Ruan de Smidt, Nikhil Rama, Louis Albertse, SeanBradley, Jean-Paul Strydom, Erhard Lambrechts, Makhetha Mazibuko, Allister deKock, Ronald Rugumayo, Jonathan Broomhead, Toto Thimba Jnr

74 - Aneurin Gounden, Hanco Rudolph, Yurav Premlall,Jacques Blaauw, Rourke van der Spuy, Jaco Van Zyl, Jared Harvey, Vaughn vanDeventer

75 - Tristin Galant, James Mack, Robin Williams, WynandDingle, Tyron Davidowitz, Musiwalo Nethunzwi, Albert Venter, Merrick Bremner,Rupert Kaminski, Keagan Thomas

76 - Gregory Mckay, Teboho Sefatsa, Ethan Smith, RiccoMotsa, Travis Ladner

77 - Kyle McClatchie, Thabang Simon, Tumelo Molloyi, JamesPennington, Mutahi Kibugu, Keegan Mclachlan

78 - Raymond Mathonsi, Dylan Naidoo, Christiaan Burke,Jonathan Waschefort, Willie Olivier, Jastice Mashego, Robert Shiba, JacobusPienaar

79 - Mandla Dlamini Jnr, Johan Theron, Reinhardt Blaauw,Conner Mackenzie, Slenda Sithebe, Alphius Kelapile, Alex Haindl

80 - Teddy Vilakati, Hennie O'Kennedy, Sentanio Minnie,Moses Shongwe

81 - Meshack Zwane, Marcel Steyn Scholtz, Adriel Poonan

82 - LB Boshoff, Nicholus Vilakati, Siyanda Mwandla, RyanTipping

83 - Evance Vukeya, Steven Le Roux

84 - Peter Dlamini

85 - Karabo Mokoena

86 - Oscar Dube, Machawe Maziya

90 - Jabulani Mabaso

- Michael Vlismas

2023-07-22 20:12:12

Du Plessis victorious in SunBet Challenge

CJdu Plessis was able to neutralise the considerable threat posed by Jean Hugoand Neil Schietekat, as well as thepressureof his own expectations, as an extraordinary finish saw the 32-year-old claimhis first Sunshine Tour title with a one-stroke victory intheSunBet Challenge Wild Coast at the Wild Coast Sun Country Club on Saturday.

Headingto the 16th green one stroke behind Hugo, Du Plessis notched a sensationaleagle as he drained what he later described as "a 100-foot puttrightacross the whole green that somehow found the bottom of the cup".

Hugobirdied the par-five so the duo were all-square when they reached the finalhole. Du Plessis's drive was too far left, however, and found afairwaybunker.

But the Silver Lakes Country Club golfer hit a tremendous seven-iron to12 feet of the hole and made the putt for birdie, hissix-under64 lifting him to 11-under-par for the tournament.

When Hugo could only makepar, Du Plessis had his first win in his 193rd tournament andfollowingfive runner-up finishes.

Hisremarkable feat left him and many others feeling that this victory was maybejust meant to be.

"I'mecstatic," Du Plessis said. "I knew it was going to be a tough dayand Jean and Neil would fight all the way, they're not guys to just give it toyou.But it was a phenomenal finish.

"Thiswin was written in the stars. My coach for the last 20-odd years, RaymondEarle, passed away last week and this win is 100% for him. Thismorning,while I was having my coffee and it was still dark, I saw a shooting star andthought maybe today would be a special day. Sometimes it'sjustmeant to be," Du Plessis said.

Schietekat,the 39-year-old current leader of the Order of Merit delivered by The CourierGuy, just could not get going in the final round, two birdiesinthe last three holes giving him a one-under 69 that left him on seven-under forthe tournament, four strokes behind Du Plessis.

Butwhether it was going to be 21-time winner Hugo or Du Plessis who would claim theR300 000 first prize was an enthralling battle.

DuPlessis, who began the day one behind, went two ahead with birdies on thefirst, third and fourth holes, while Hugo could only make pars. But thetableswere turned by the time the duo began the back nine, Hugo having birdied thepar-three sixth and par-four ninth holes.

Du Plessis suffered adouble-bogeyat the par-three eighth as he over-compensated for the water on the left, buthe levelled matters again with birdies on the 11th and 12thholes.

Hugocollected further birdies on the 13th and 16th holes and did little wrong in abogey-free round of 66. But the 47-year-old just could not matchthefantastic finish by Du Plessis.

Forthe champion, there will be no more uncertainty over whether he can win or not.

"Mydriving was not the best today, but my short game and putting really pulled methrough. I've been working really hard on that with RobbieStewart,my short-game coach.

"Expectationshave killed me so many times before, but today I just stuck with my routinesand I knew I would be up there if I did that. This wintakesso much pressure off, it's life-changing. I can now prepare for the big eventswithout having to pre-qualify," Du Plessis said.

- Michael Vlismas

2023-07-20 20:51:45

Seasoned Hugo leads at SunBetChallenge

Veteran Sunshine Tour campaigner Jean Hugo has seen it all before on thischallenging, enigmatic course of the Wild Coast Sun Country Club in the SunBet Challenge Wild Coast.

A tremendous four-under-par 66 in the first round was enough to give him the lead on Thursday, and it was amark none of the golfers who began their second rounds were able to pass.

Danievan Tonder, who had reached the turn in his second round in one-under, to go totwo-under-par overall, and Jaco van Zyl, who shot a 68 in the first round butalso did not get back on the course on Thursday, are the closest to Hugo. Theyare experienced golfers both, also able to handle the very windy conditions.

ButHugo is right at home on the Wild Coast, having won the Nashua Masters here in2007, and the last of his 21 professional victories came here in the 2019 SunWild Coast Challenge.

"Itwas tough, play being called off on the first day because it was too windy andballs were moving. It always feels like the wind is up here. But I know what toexpect and I had a good result last time here," Hugo said.

The47-year-old was on one-under-par through 11 holes when play was suspended onthe first day. When he returned on Thursday morning, he could not have wishedfor a better start, with an eagle on the par-five 12th.

"Younormally try to capitalise on the downwind holes here, but 12 was a dauntinghole because that side of the course is into the south-wester, which makes ittough.

"Normally you hit iron and iron over the hill, but today I hit Driverjust to get it into play and then three-wood around the corner, a very goodshot that went 10 feet behind the hole and I made the putt. So that was an absolutelydream start and then I had a good finish with birdies on the manageable 16th and 18th holes," Hugo said.

Ifone is going to get skinned alive by a course, experience does at least allowone to know what to expect. But Hugo said he cannot just rely on his courseknowledge as the 54-hole event comes to an end, his game has to be absolutelyon-point in the last two rounds.

"Thewind is also going to be up on Friday, but in the other direction, so it willprobably be tougher. A lot can still change with the scores so I'll need a goodsolid start, that makes it easier to maintain things. I'm preparing for a mixedbag tomorrow.

"It'sgood to have experience around here, but you still have to play well. You canknow where to hit it, but it does not help if you can't hit the ball there. Youstill have to bring your best game.

"Youneed to focus on where to go because looking around, there are a lot of hazardsout there. I'll just be trying to keep it tight," Hugo said.

- Michael Vlismas

2023-06-02 17:18:46

Otto wins SunBetChallenge in playoff

With his putter finally startingto fire, Hennie Otto began the final round of the SunBet Challenge hosted bySun City with a birdie and just continued in that vein before making par at thefirst playoff hole to win the title at Gary Player Country Club on Friday.

Otto began the third and final daythree shots off the lead, and apart from his three at the par-four first hole,he enjoyed the ideal start to his pursuit of his 14th SunshineTour title by collecting four more birdies between the sixth and 10th holes.

A veteran campaigner like Otto wasnot going to be overawed by the occasion either, as a trio of other contenders– Hayden Griffiths, Jovan Rebula and Martin Rohwer – also jostled fiercely forthe top spot.

On a windy day on one of the toughest courses in South Africa,Otto came home in one-under 35, for a final round of 67, thanks to anotherbirdie on the par-five 14th. A bogey on the par-three 16th washis only blemish, but the 46-year-old Otto showed the stuff of champions as heparred the testing last two holes to finish on six-under-par for the tournament,joining Griffiths in a playoff.

The 29-year-old Griffiths had shota tremendous 66, also with just one bogey, to join Otto in the playoff, aclutch birdie on the par-three 16th sealing his place.

Unfortunately, Griffiths hit hisdrive on the first playoff hole, the famous ninth at Gary Player Country Clubwith its island green, way left into the bushes and had to hack out.

With Ottojust off the fairway on the right, the Johannesburg-based Griffiths had to gofor the green with his third, pulled it left and landed in the water.

That left Otto with the routinetask of laying up, finding the green and two-putting for the win.

“My game has been so good latelybut my scores have not shown it because my putting has not been up tostandard,” Otto said after his second victory on the Gary Player Country Clubcourse following his victory there in the 2011 Dimension Data Pro-Am.

“But today my putter startedshowing what it can do. Because I’ve been playing so well, I knew another winwas close. On this course, in all the years I’ve played here, it’s all abouthitting the fairway and making sure you don’t hit your ball in the wrong place.But it was even tougher today because of the wind and in the cold morning, yourball doesn’t travel so far.

“On 16, I had no real shot fromthe bunker and then I just had to make sure I made a four. And then it was justabout making sure I parred 17 and 18. I actually nearly birdied the last hole,but my putt just lipped out.

“And then the playoff hole justbecame a formality after Hayden unfortunately hit his approach into the water,”Otto said.

Rohwer and Rebula both finishedone shot behind on five-under-par and both showed excellent technical expertiseon one of the most challenging courses in the world, before succumbing to lateerrors that proved very costly.

Rohwer was on eight-under-par andleading by two after he birdied the par-five 14th hole, butthen dropped a shot at the 15th and then double-bogeyed the par-four 17th,finishing with a 67 that was not quite enough.

Rebula had reached seven-underthrough 13 holes, but then bogeys on the 15th and 18th holesleft him with a 70 and saw him fall just short of the playoff.

Keelan van Wyk, who led after thefirst two rounds of the three-round tournament, unfortunately, saw his gamesuffer a meltdown on Friday as he posted an 80 to finish on four-over-par, in atie for 33rd place.

SCORES:(* wonin playoff)

210 - HaydenGriffiths 73 71 66, Hennie Otto 71 72 67*

211 - MartinRohwer 72 72 67, Jovan Rebula 72 69 70

213 - Jean-PaulStrydom 71 73 69, Jonathan Broomhead 72 70 71

214 - ChristiaanBasson 73 72 69, Luca Filippi 73 73 68, Kyle Barker 70 72 72

215 - DanErickson 72 73 70, Darren Fichardt 73 70 72, Neil Schietekat 7572 68, Toto Thimba Jnr 69 72 74

216 - MJViljoen 72 74 70, Ruan Korb 72 71 73, Michael Hollick 72 70 74,Jean Hugo 71 76 69, Matthew Spacey 69 72 75

217 - RyanVan Velzen 73 72 72, David Wicks 72 73 72, Louis Albertse 72 7372, Fredrik From 70 71 76

218 - Ulrichvan den Berg 73 73 72, Jaco Ahlers 71 73 74, CJ du Plessis 73 7174, Heinrich Bruiners 74 73 71

219 - EstiaanConradie 72 73 74, Hunter Epson 74 71 74, Rourke van der Spuy 7273 74, Herman Loubser 72 71 76, Marcel Steyn Scholtz 75 72 72, RhysWest 72 75 72

220 - JasonSmith 69 77 74, Hennie O'Kennedy 73 71 76, Wynand Dingle 74 7274, Keelan van Wyk 67 73 80

221 - MichaelKok 73 73 75, Robin Williams 69 74 78, Keagan Thomas 76 71 74,Sean Bradley 73 70 78, Keelan Africa 73 74 74

222 - DKKim 72 75 75

223 - DougMcGuigan 73 73 77, Stefan Wears-Taylor 78 69 76

224 - QuintinWilsnach 75 71 78, Peter Karmis 71 76 77

225 - RichardJoubert 72 74 79

226 - Ruande Smidt 73 74 79

227 - LyleRowe 72 75 80

231 - MusiwaloNethunzwi 71 74 86

- Michael Vlismas

2023-06-01 19:10:21

Keelan holds on to lead in SunBet Challenge

Keelan van Wyk made a few sillymistakes on the front nine at Gary Player Country Club on Thursday and paid theprice, but the CMR Golf Club representative can feel immensely proud of the wayhe bounced back to retain the lead after the second round of the SunBetChallenge hosted by Sun City.

Despite going out in four-over-par40, Van Wyk showed his temperament by rectifying most of the damage with fourbirdies and just a single bogey on the back nine, to sign for 73.

The going wasso tough at the Gary Player Country Club on Thursday, however, that hisone-over-par score was still enough for him to hang on to the lead.

The24-year-old will go into Saturday’s final round on four-under overall, onestroke ahead of Toto Thimba Jnr (72), Fredrik From (71), Jovan Rebula (69) andMatthew Spacey (72).

Van Wyk birdied the par-four firsthole on Thursday, but that was followed by three successive bogeys. Adouble-bogey seven at the ninth then would have been enough, to paraphrase thewords of the classic Boomtown Rats song IDon’t Like Mondays, to switch the silicon chip inside his head to overloadwere it not for Van Wyk’s impressive composure.

He rebounded with birdies onthe 10th and 11th holes, and was on his way back to thetop of the leaderboard.

“I made a few mistakes on thefront nine and it was just a very intense round of golf. I battled off the teeand on the ninth I went way left and lost my ball, leading to thedouble-bogey,” Van Wyk explained.

“But I just told myself that I hadnow hit my low and I could not go any lower. I just channelled my thoughts andmy focus on spiralling back up again. I just tried to take it shot-for-shot andstay in the moment.

“My caddy Lloyd also helped a lot,he was quite composed. We were chatting about how the golf course is sodifficult, it feels like if you make one mistake then you’re going to drop backa few places, but every player will make mistakes. You can see that from thescores,” Van Wyk said.

Adding to the typically testingset-up of the Gary Player Country Club, there was a swirling wind on Thursdaythat would con the golfers into thinking it was going one way, but then switchdirections on the same hole.

“The course was tough and the windwas swirling as well. It was just never in one direction,” Van Wyk said.

Rebula led the charge of thedomestic golfers on Thursday with a brilliant three-under 69 that included justone dropped shot, on the par-four 17th.

Spacey started his round on the 10th and made two birdies in his first fourholes to claim the lead. But a bogey on the 15th and another one on the seventh holesaw him slip back, while Thimba Jnr survived three successive bogeys from theeighth hole to still post a level-par 72 and remain strongly in contention.

Sweden’s From was the leading overseasgolfer, mixing six birdies with five bogeys in his round.

Three more South Africans, JonathanBroomhead (70), Michael Hollick (70) and Kyle Barker (72) are two strokes backon two-under-par.

SCORES:

140 - Keelanvan Wyk 67 73

141 - TotoThimba Jnr 69 72, Fredrik From 70 71, Jovan Rebula 72 69,Matthew Spacey 69 72

142 - JonathanBroomhead 72 70, Michael Hollick 72 70, Kyle Barker 70 72

143 - SeanBradley 73 70, Hennie Otto 71 72, Robin Williams 69 74, RuanKorb 72 71, Herman Loubser 72 71, Darren Fichardt 73 70

144 - CJdu Plessis 73 71, Jean-Paul Strydom 71 73, Hennie O'Kennedy 7371, Hayden Griffiths 73 71, Martin Rohwer 72 72, Jaco Ahlers 7173

145 - LouisAlbertse 72 73, David Wicks 72 73, Rourke van der Spuy 72 73,Ryan Van Velzen 73 72, Estiaan Conradie 72 73, Dan Erickson 7273, Hunter Epson 74 71, Christiaan Basson 73 72, MusiwaloNethunzwi 71 74

146 - Ulrichvan den Berg 73 73, Jason Smith 69 77, Luca Filippi 73 73,Richard Joubert 72 74, MJ Viljoen 72 74, Michael Kok 73 73, DougMcGuigan 73 73, Wynand Dingle 74 72, Quintin Wilsnach 75 71

147 - DKKim 72 75, Marcel Steyn Scholtz 75 72, Heinrich Bruiners 74 73,Lyle Rowe 72 75, Neil Schietekat 75 72, Keagan Thomas 76 71,Jean Hugo 71 76, Ruan de Smidt 73 74, Rhys West 72 75, StefanWears-Taylor 78 69, Peter Karmis 71 76, Keelan Africa 73 74

- Michael Vlismas

2023-05-31 18:52:06

Back nine charge puts Keelan in front at SunBetChallenge

Keelan van Wyk did not think hewould be able to conquer the back nine at the Gary Player Country Club ascomfortably as he did, but his marvellous five-under-par 67 set him up forpride of place on the leaderboard after the first round of the SunBet Challengehosted by Sun City on Wednesday.

Although Van Wyk is just 24 yearsold and in only his third season on the Sunshine Tour, he is very familiar withthe famous Gary Player Country Club layout and aware of all the challenges itposes. But starting his round on the 10th tee, he birdied the12th, 14th, 16th and 18th holesto go to the turn already four-under-par.

After collecting two more birdieson the front nine, he made his only bogey of the day on the ninth, his lasthole, but his 67 was still his best round of the season thus far.

“My family comes to Sun City quitea lot on holiday, so I’ve played a few rounds here and I feel quitecomfortable, although I haven’t had that many good scores. Usually the backnine is the tougher nine for the way I like to play, so to be four-under at theturn was certainly better than I projected,” Van Wyk said.

“But I’ve definitely put a lot ofhard work into my game lately and I have been playing quite well, but just notscoring. But today I had my iron-play under control, I birdied three of thepar-threes, and I managed to roll some putts in.

“My plan was to give myself lots ofchances for birdies, I took a few of them and I am very, very pleased with myround,” Van Wyk said.

The Riverlea resident’s only realmistake came on the ninth when he caught a flyer out of the rough and went 35feet over the pin. He left his first putt short and missed his second as well,ending an otherwise fine round with a bogey.

But it was not a day for cruisingat the Gary Player Country Club on Wednesday, overcast, cool weather making thecourse even longer and the usual premium on precise golf being in play.

Four golfers – Robin Williams,Matthew Spacey, Toto Thimba Jnr and Jason Smith – were sharing second place twostrokes behind on three-under-par, and only 16 golfers finished under-par onthe opening day.

SCORES:

67 - Keelan van Wyk

69 - Robin Williams, Matthew Spacey, Toto Thimba Jnr, JasonSmith

70 - Kyle Barker, Fredrik From, Merrick Bremner

71 - Brandon Smith, Jaco Ahlers, Peter Karmis, Steve Surry,Musiwalo Nethunzwi, Hennie Otto, Jean Hugo, Jean-Paul Strydom

72 - Michael Hollick, Rhys West, Estiaan Conradie, MartinRohwer, Ruan Korb, Dan Erickson, Herman Loubser, DK Kim, James Mack, JovanRebula, Rupert Kaminski, Lyle Rowe, Louis Albertse, MJ Viljoen, ErhardLambrechts, Richard Joubert, Rourke van der Spuy, David Wicks, JonathanBroomhead

73 - Ruan de Smidt, Doug McGuigan, Ryan Van Velzen, DarrenFichardt, Christiaan Basson, Keelan Africa, Allister de Kock, Ulrich van denBerg, CJ du Plessis, Sean Bradley, Jacques Blaauw, Luca Filippi, HennieO'Kennedy, Michael Kok, Hayden Griffiths

74 - Aneurin Gounden, Lindani Ndwandwe, Christiaan Burke,Jacques P de Villiers, Wynand Dingle, Hunter Epson, Sentanio Minnie, JasticeMashego, Leon Visser, Malcolm Mitchell, Heinrich Bruiners, Jaco Van Zyl

75 - Callum Mowat, Trevor Fisher Jnr, Yurav Premlall,Quintin Wilsnach, Gerhard Pepler, Tyron Davidowitz, Marcel Steyn Scholtz, NeilSchietekat, Robson Chinhoi, Nikhil Rama

76 - Jake Redman, Tristin Galant, Adam Breen, Dylan Naidoo,Keagan Thomas, Luke Brown, Nicholaus Frade

77 - Irvin Mazibuko, Clancy Waugh, Danie Van Niekerk, KyleMcClatchie, Reinhardt Blaauw, Wade Jacobs, Stuart Krog

78 - Gerard du Plooy, Jack Hawksby, Madalitso Muthiya,Stefan Wears-Taylor, Franklin Manchest, Gerhard Trytsman, Jared Harvey, SiyandaMwandla, Thabang Simon

79 - Slenda Sithebe

80 - Riekus Nortje, Alex Haindl, Gerard Moodley, MakhethaMazibuko

81 - Adriel Poonan, Ricky Hendler, Omar Sandys, AlphiusKelapile, Drikus Joubert

82 - Chris Cannon, Gregory Mckay, Vaughn van Deventer,Combrinck Smit

- Michael Vlismas

2023-05-28 18:33:55

Composed Albertse wins in style

Louis Albertse was all smilesafter winning the Kit Kat Cash and Carry Pro-Am and R320 000 at Irene CountryClub on Sunday, but he said even though he triumphed by a comfortable fourstrokes it felt like he had been climbing mountains all day.

Albertse finished in style bysinking a 30ft putt for birdie on the 18th hole, completing an impressivefour-under 68 in the final round, and a total of 23-under-par for the R2million event, well clear of Kyle Barker in second place on 19-under.

But both playing partnerMalcolm Mitchell and Barker had put Albertse under pressure through the finalday.

Mitchell was four-under-parthrough the front nine as he closed to within two strokes, but then a horrorrun from the 12th holesaw him drop four strokes in three holes, including a double-bogey on thepar-three 13th hole,when his tee-shot hit a tree and he then three-putted.

Barker produced excellentgolf on the last day in a bogey-free 67, which could have been even better andwould have put Albertse under even more pressure had a couple of late birdieputts not missed the hole by an inch or two.

Nevertheless, Albertse wasnot to be swayed on Sunday. He made a pair of crucial birdies around the turnand then played solid, error-free golf to par his way to the last hole.

"It's always really hard towin, it never gets easier. Everyone here is extremely talented and the pressurecan get to you; 18 holes is a long time," the representative of Dundee GolfClub, in the foothills of the KwaZulu-Natal Drakensberg, said after his secondSunshine Tour victory.

"Malcolm Mitchell playedextremely well out of the blocks and that motivated me because I knew if I makemistakes then he will overtake me. I just tried to stay in it, focus on my owngame as much as I could.

"The birdies at nine and 10were crucial, with Malcolm missing a birdie putt at 10. I hit some good shotsaround the turn and I just tried to play good shot after good shot," Albertsesaid.

Far from being insipid golf,Albertse’s run of pars from the 11th hole was a calculated strategy by the26-year-old to eliminate risk, on a course he loves, having finished third inthe same event last year.

"Having a good lead is nicebecause it means you can hit conservative shots, especially on holes 14 to 16.It also showed on my choice of club off the 18th tee when I hit a five-iron.

"I scored my first nine-underhere at Irene, back in my amateur days. I just really enjoy the course andcoming back here, I feel comfortable here," Albertse said.

Sean Cronje, the 22-year-oldfrom Durbanville, hit the big time on Sunday as his phenomenal eight-under 64lifted him into third place on 17-under-par, his first top-10 finish on theSunshine Tour.

Mitchell finishedwith a 71 to share fourth place on 16-under with Wynand Dingle (67). - Michael Vlismas

2023-05-27 21:15:22

Albertse chasing victory at Irene Country Club

Although Louis Albertse’sfive-under-par 67 was not faultless golf, the 26-year-old showed perfectcomposure as he maintained his four-shot lead after the third and penultimateround of the Kit Kat Cash and Carry Pro-Am at Irene Country Club on Saturday.

Albertse will go into Sunday’sfinal round with a brilliant score of 19-under-par, following rounds of66-64-67, a very handy lead with half-a-dozen golfers within six shots of him. Albertse took a while to get goingon Saturday and a bogey on the par-four fifth hole left him one-over for theround. But birdies on the sixth and eighth holes brought some momentum, and hethen produced a brilliant back nine of four-under 32.

The Dundee Golf Clubrepresentative made some mistakes coming in, but showed a tremendous ability torecover quickly from his mistakes. Twice he made birdies after poor shots lefthim out of position, courtesy of a wonderful wedge on the par-five 10thanda phenomenal 45ft putt across the green on the par-three 16th.

“I had a bit of nerves at thestart, I’m not going to lie, and I didn’t hit good drives on the first twoholes,” Albertse said.

“I was glad I got through those with birdies on six andeight, and then birdies on 10 and 11 made me feel even better. That settled meand I had a good round going.

“I just tried to stay composed.Acceptance in this game plays a really big part in success and the quicker youcan accept mistakes, the easier it is. I just tried to forget about theprevious shot.

“I’m sure there will be a lot ofnerves in the final round and things might feel different. But that’s why wepractise all these years, to be in this position. I’m just going to try andenjoy it as much as I can, and at 19-under-par there’s no reason to changeanything in my game,” Albertse said.

Although the man who enjoyed seventop-10 finishes last season will be the favourite to win the R320 000 firstprize on Sunday, it is by no means a done deal with several other golfers playingmarvellous golf on Saturday to put themselves in the picture. Malcolm Mitchell produced amagnificent back nine of 31 as his 66 lifted him into second place on 15-under.The lanky KwaZulu-Natalian chipped in for eagle on the 10th holeand finished his round with three consecutive birdies.

Kyle Barker also chipped in fromoff the green for an eagle on the par-four 15th and thenfinished birdie-birdie to post a 68 that left him in third place on 14-under. A resurgent Trevor Fisher Jnr ison 13-under after cruising to a 66, alongside youngsters Jovan Rebula (68) andAdam Breen (64).

- Michael Vlismas

2023-05-26 18:44:30

Albertse topping leaderboard in KitKat Pro-Am

Beingnewly married and coming off his most successful season yet may have added someextra load onto the broad shoulders of Louis Albertse, but the 26-year-oldplayed with great freedom on Friday as he posted a tremendous eight-under-par64 to claim a four-shot lead after the second round of the KitKat Cash &Carry Pro-Am at the Irene Country Club.

Claimingeight birdies and an eagle on the 112-year-old parkland course, Albertse willgo into the weekend on 14-under-par, with his nearest challengers being KyleBarker (64), Wynand Dingle (69) and Yurav Premlall (65) on 10-under.

Havingbeen tied for third after his 66 in the first round, Albertse started on the 10th hole and took a while to find the samesuccess on Friday and was just one-under after his first seven holes.

But theDundee Golf Club representative broke the shackles around the turn, goingbirdie-birdie-eagle-birdie from the 17th hole to snatch the lead.

A bogey onthe par-three fourth did little to break the momentum as he finished stronglywith three more birdies in the last five holes.

Albertse,who finished a career-best 17th inthe 2022/23 The Courier Guy Order of Merit with seven top-10 finishes, made hiseagle on the 368m par-four first hole when he unleashed a fabulous drive thatfinished just short of the green and he was able to putt the ball into the holefor a two.

"There'sprobably a little bit more added pressure when you’re coming off your bestseason and last week in Zambia wasn't great, maybe because I was rusty aftertaking two weeks off to get married," Albertse said.

"ButI know I'm playing nicely and it's just about trusting the process. It’s niceto see scores coming in though and luckily it all turned out in may favourtoday.

"Ihave a game-plan before the tournament which I try and follow, but some daysare just better than others and you feel able to be more aggressive and it justworks out.

"Igave myself quite a few opportunities today and just tried to be patient fromthe start. Having a birdie-bogey start wasn't great, but after that thingsstarted to fall into place and I had an amazing stretch through the turn when Ireally hit second gear.

"Itdoesn't happen often, but even then, you just try and stay patient, although youtake those runs with open arms. And it was an amazing drive on the first," Albertse smiled.

Barkeris another who has carried over his form from last season, when he brokethrough by finishing 22nd on the order of merit and won the StellaArtois Players' Championship at Dainfern Country Club.

The25-year-old, who moved over to Titleist in the off-season, started his roundwith a birdie on the par-five 10th.

But he could only pick up moreshots on the last two holes of the back nine, before coming home in style withfour birdies in his last five holes to claim the lead before being overtaken byAlbertse.

"Itwas a fantastic morning out there, I drove the ball very nicely and hit most ofmy targets. My wedges were pretty decent and I putted really well - my puttswere in the low 20s," Barker said.

RookiePremlall was also highly-impressive with his 65. The 19-year-old finished hisfront nine with three birdies and an eagle, and then came home with birdies onthe par-three 16th andpar-five 17th holes.

- Michael Vlismas

2023-05-21 19:57:46

Zimbabwe’s Robson Chinhoi has won a couple of times on the Safari Tour, but on Sunday he clinched his first title of global significance when he won the Zanaco Masters at Lusaka Golf Club in a playoff over Neil Schietekat, in just his 11th Sunshine Tour start.

Chinhoi, who began the day two shots off the lead, put himself in contention by collecting two birdies in a bogey-free front nine, and then claimed the lead with three more birdies on the back nine, before a pulled drive saw him bogey the 17th and then only make par on the par-five final hole, leaving him with a 68 for 17-under-par for the tournament.

That was enough to get him into a playoff though, with Schietekat, the winner of the previous event on the Sunshine Tour, the FBC Zimbabwe Open a fortnight ago.

Schietekat was six-under for his final round through 13 holes, roaring up the leaderboard, but he then made a crucial bogey on the par-four 14th hole and then could only par his way in to the clubhouse.

The pair played the 515-metre 18th hole again in the playoff and the 32-year-old Chinhoi produced an excellent tee-shot that left him 207 metres from the green.

From there he hit a seven-iron short of the green, made sure he left his chip below the hole on the hard green, and calmly slotted a five-foot putt for birdie to claim the title, as the experienced Schietekat could only make par.

“I am just so grateful, I thank God, for this victory because it puts my name on the map,” a delighted Chinhoi said.

“This win will be life and game-changing for me. I was getting tired of being in my comfort zone, I wanted to go away and play at another level. I managed to lift my game and this week has changed everything.

”While Chinhoi was superb off the tee on Sunday, he putted with computer-like accuracy under the pressure of the final round and a large crowd of contenders.

Young Ryan van Velzen birdied the 18th hole to finish with the clubhouse lead on 16-under and then faced an anxious wait, but Chinhoi and Schietekat did not drop any further strokes, leaving the 21-year-old alone in third place.

Stefan Wears-Taylor was also in contention but then bogeyed the last to post a 69 that left him on 15-under, a score matched by Sean Bradley, who had reached 16-under by the 10th hole, but then had seven straight pars and a bogey to finish.

Rupert Kaminski (65) and Trevor Fisher Jnr (66) were the other golfers to share fourth place on 15-under-par. - Michael Vlismas

SCORES:(* won in playoff)

-17 - *Robson Chinhoi

-17 - Neil Schietekat

-16 - Ryan Van Velzen

-15 - Rupert Kaminski, Trevor Fisher Jnr, Stefan Wears-Taylor, Sean Bradley

-13 - Robin Williams, Martin Rohwer

-12 - Nikhil Rama, Malcolm Mitchell, David Wicks

-11 - Keegan Mclachlan, Hennie O'Kennedy

-10 - Christiaan Basson, Yurav Premlall, Peter Karmis, Jake Redman, Siyanda Mwandla

-9 - Tristin Galant, Nyasha Muyambo, Kyle Barker, Gerhard Pepler, Gerhard Trytsman

-8 - Lyle Rowe, Doug McGuigan, Christiaan Burke, Chris Cannon, Jaco Ahlers, Jacques Blaauw, Hennie Otto

-7 - James Mack, Herman Loubser

-6 - Sydney Joseph Wemba, Ruan Conradie

-5 - Luke Trocado, Danie Van Niekerk, DK Kim

-4 - Ricky Hendler, Rhys West, Kyle McClatchie

-3 - Conner Mackenzie, Heinrich Bruiners

-2 - Nicholaus Frade

-1 - Hayden Griffiths, Keelan van Wyk, Ben Firth, Jovan Rebula, Stuart Krog

Par - Drikus Joubert, Tyron Davidowitz

+1 - Wynand Dingle, Luke Jerling

+2 - Albert Venter, Steve Surry, Callum Mowat, Paul Boshoff

+3 - Vaughn van Deventer

+4 - Gregory Mckay

+5 - Aneurin Gounden, Keagan Thomas

+6 - Willie Olivier

2023-05-20 18:27:19

David Wicks, who almost gave up pro golf, now the man to beat inZanaco Masters

Sunshine Tourrookie David Wicks fired a bogey-free five-under-par 67 on Saturday for a one-strokelead heading into the final round of the Zanaco Masters at Lusaka Golf Club.

Even though a victory would make a world of difference for the Englishman’scareer, he said winning is not that important for him on Sunday.

The 29-year-old Wicks previously competed on theEuroPro Tour, but last year decided to give up his professional career, beforehis management agency suggested he try the Sunshine Tour.

Coming to SouthernAfrica has been a game-changer for Wicks, as he finished sixth in Q-School andthen enjoyed his best performance as a professional in finishing in a tie for15thin the season-opening FBC Zimbabwe Open a fortnight ago.

A congested leaderboard now stands between him and aremarkable maiden victory, with at least a dozen golfers in with a shout forthe title.

While Wicks is on 15-under-par, Sean Bradley (-14), Robson Chinhoi(-13) and Stefan Wears-Taylor (-12) are leading the chasing pack.

Gerhard Trytsman and the in-form Neil Schietekat areon 11-under, while six golfers are on 10-under, including seasoned championHennie Otto and previous Tour winners in Jake Redman, Ryan van Velzen andMartin Rohwer.

“I’m not sure how I’m going to handle the nerves andemotions in the final round, but I am in a really happy spot at the moment anda happy golfer is tough to beat,” Wicks said.

“It doesn’t matter if I win or lose, as long as Istick to my process and keep smiling. If I do that, then it doesn’t matter tome if I win the tournament of not. I will still look back on the week as asuccess, because I’m confident that if I stick to my process then it will yielda win at some stage.

“It’s about building a foundation and winning for meis really irrelevant, it’s about sticking to my process, having fun, enjoyingwhat I’m doing. And then I will add up my score at the end and see where Istand,” Wicks said.

While the likes of Bradley, who followed up his 64 inthe second round with a 69 on Saturday that included two eagles and fourbirdies, Chinhoi (70, four birdies) and Wears-Taylor (71, five birdies)produced some scintillating play, Wicks showed there is sometimes noreplacement for good, old-fashioned error-free golf.

“Going bogey-free was very important for me, bothmentally and for my score. When other people are making lots of birdies andeagles, dropping even one shot can feel like a double-bogey,” Wicks said.

“Fortunately I did not make any silly mistakes to dropback, while amidst all the birdies on the rest of the leaderboard there werelots of bogeys and doubles too.

“My plan was to first and foremost make par and thengo for birdie,” Wicks said.

It sounds like the sort of plan which could yield alife-changing victory on Sunday.

SCORES:

201 - David Wicks 65 6967

202 - Sean Bradley 69 6469

203 - Robson Chinhoi 6667 70

204 - StefanWears-Taylor 67 66 71

205 - GerhardTrytsman 70 67 68, Neil Schietekat 65 69 71

206 - Hennie Otto 68 7068, Siyanda Mwandla 72 66 68, Ryan Van Velzen 67 70 69, MartinRohwer 72 64 70, Jake Redman 67 69 70, Malcolm Mitchell 70 65 71

2023-05-19 19:21:01

Trio chasing Zanaco Masters glory

Stefan Wears-Taylor now really feels hebelongs as one of the main contenders on the Sunshine Tour after his 2022/23campaign, his fourth season in the professional ranks, was his most successfulyet, so it was fitting that he says his mindset was his strongest attribute ashe soared to the top of the leaderboard after the second round of the ZanacoMasters at the Lusaka Golf Club on Friday.

Wears-Taylor backed up his 67 on the first daywith a fantastic six-under-par 66 on Friday, which lifted him to 11-under-parat the midway point of the tournament. The Centurion Country Clubrepresentative collected eight birdies in all, four of them in a row from the15th hole as he ended his opening nine in spectacular fashion.

He is not alone on 11-under-par, however, withSean Bradley and Zimbabwe’s Robson Chinhoi sharing the lead with him. Bradley managed to fit in seven birdies and aneagle in his superb 64, while Chinhoi collected four birdies on the front ninein his 67. Wears-Taylor finished 24th onthe order of merit last season and claimed his first Sunshine Tour title in theMediClinic Invitational on his home course in March. He then made a solid startto the new season by finishing 17th in the FBC Zimbabwe Open.Friday’s round at a sunny Lusaka Golf Club was a continuation of that form.

“My attitude on the first two days is what I’mmost proud of. I started the first round with a few errant shots to the left,which is unusual for me,” Wears-Taylor explained.

“But I’ve just stayed patientand enjoyed my day out on the course, enjoying where I’m walking and there aresome huge trees here which are fascinating.

“I’ve just been staying positive because thisgolf course is going to bite you if you make mistakes. I started on the 10th andI had a productive morning, slowly building momentum until I had the wind in mysails and then some putts fell in the last few holes and I hit a very niceSand-Wedge to three feet on the 17th.

“Things slowed down a little after the turn,unfortunately I made some soft mistakes, but that will happen on this toughcourse. There are tight tee shots on both nines and visually, you haveoverhanging trees which makes it complicated for the eye. And it’s definitelysimpler hitting from the fairways because the greens are tough with firmbounces if you don’t get spin.

“But I’ve built up experience over the lastcouple of years. It takes time to find your feet on tour, especially because Ididn’t have any real amateur background.

“It’s taken time to get to where I am, but Iam seeing steady growth and learning more about myself both as a player and aperson. I’m really enjoying the journey and hopefully it leads to a long andfruitful career,” Wears-Taylor said.

First-round leaders Neil Schietekat and DavidWicks are still strongly placed just one shot off the leaders after they bothshot three-under 69s on Friday, and Trevor Fisher Jnr (67) and Malcolm Mitchell(65) are a stroke further back.

- Michael Vlismas

2023-05-08 07:40:26

Schietekat back in winner's circle

Neil Schietekatwon the Zimbabwe Open by four strokes at Royal Harare Golf Club on Sunday,his successful foray to South Africa's northern neighbour bringing him hisfirst Sunshine Tour title since 2018 and an ideal start to his season before heheads off even further north to play in Asia.

The experiencedSchietekat had started the final round with a seven-stroke lead following hisbrilliant 66 on the third day, and although he did not pull any further awayfrom the chasing pack, his final-round 75 was still good enough for him to wincomfortably on 11-under-par.

Most importantly,he played the front nine under-par, birdies on the second, third and fifthholes offsetting dropped shots on the first two par-fours - the first and thefourth holes. Schietekat reached the turn with an eight-shot lead, which heneeded because the tough back nine caused him problems.

“I’m really happythat I managed to pull through because today was a much tougher day for me. Ihaven’t won before with such a big lead, so I didn’t really know how to goabout things. I wasn’t trying to play safe, but there were some shots I did notcommit to and some shots I did really go for.

“I had someunlucky breaks out of the rough, but that’s been the same for everybody this week.But I made a couple of really good saves and par-putts.

“I was bleedingon the back nine, starting on 10 where I hit a good shot off the tee but itjust rolled into the water and I made double-bogey. But I made some clutchpar-saves as well, especially on 14 where I sank a big putt. That settledeverything and I knew that only I could lose it then. It feels really good thatI managed to hang in there,” Schietekat said.

Having conqueredthe testing, prestigious parkland layout at Royal Harare, Schietekat knows hisgame is in good shape before he heads off in a few weeks for his second seasonon the Asian Tour.

The 39-year-oldSchietekat, who was educated and played his early golf in KwaZulu-Natal,praised the course that gave him his fifth Sunshine Tour title.

“There are acouple of holes you can go for it, the reward is big, but if you don’t pull itoff then you are in big trouble. I missed a few fairways and greens today andif you miss the greens, then it becomes really tough to get up and down becausethe greens are so quick. They’re probably the best greens we play on all year,”Schietekat said.

Jacques P. deVilliers fired a four-under 68 on Sunday to lift himself to second place, hishighest finish on the Sunshine Tour, alongside Peter Karmis and Jaco Ahlers,who both shot 70s, on seven-under for the tournament.

Ryan van Velzenalso shot a 68 to claim fifth place on six-under-par, while Kieran Vincent was theleading Zimbabwean, on three-under-par with Danie van Niekerk.

- Michael Vlismas

2023-05-06 23:14:13

Schietekat eyeing FBC Zim Open title

The experienced Neil Schietekat has put aside thedisappointments of the previous season and will go into the final round of theFBC Zimbabwe Open at the Royal Harare Golf Club with a seven-stroke lead after hedominated the third round on Saturday with a six-under-par 66, the lowest roundof the day.

The 39-year-old Schietekathas been a consistent contender on the Sunshine Tour for the last half-dozenseasons, but in 2022/23 he finished 47th in the Luna Order ofMerit.

The Royal Johannesburg and Kensington Golf Club representative put itdown to the challenges of competing both at home and on the Asian Tour for thefirst time.

But the new season has started in the best way possible with thefifth win of his Sunshine Tour career beckoning in Harare.

“It was my first year out inAsia and I was trying to juggle playing on both tours,” Schietekat said afterhis bogey-free round on Saturday.

“But by the standards I have set myself, Iwasn’t great on either tour and I just kept my Asian Tour card.

“I struggled with the travel,being away from home for five or six weeks in a row, with a time-difference ofseven hours sometimes, which makes it difficult to chat to your family.

“I haven’t really changedanything in my game, I’ve just been working hard and I’m taking a bit of abreak from playing in Asia, before heading out in a couple of weeks. It’s aboutgiving myself a better schedule this year.

“So now I have a nice gapgoing into the final round and it will just be about sticking to my guns andkeep playing the way I have been,” Schietekat said.

While Schietekat is lord ofall he surveys at the top of the leaderboard on 14-under-par, his 66 being twostrokes better than the next best round on Saturday, he modestly said he hadmade several lengthy putts for par to keep his momentum going.

“I’m pretty chuffed with myscore because the wind was swirling and the greens quickened up and becamequite crusty towards the end of the day. So it was great to keep bogeys off mycard because that allowed me to keep the momentum going. I made a lot of clutchputts for par,” Schietekat said.

Last year’s South AfricanStrokeplay Championship winner Jonathan Broomhead, in his first season in theprofessional big time, shot a marvellous three-under-par 69 to land himself insecond place on seven-under, alongside first-round leader Wynand Dingle (71).

Second-round leader AdamBreen is in the tie for fourth on five-under, having hit tough times onSaturday as he shot a 76. The experienced duo of Jaco Ahlers and Peter Karmisboth shot 71s to also finish on five-under, while Robson Chinhoi is the leadingZimbabwean golfer as his 68 lifted him into a share of seventh place withTrevor Fisher Jnr on four-under-par. - Michael Vlismas

2023-05-05 19:31:48

Breenbreezes into weekend with FBC Zim Open lead

Adam Breen is in just his second season as aSunshine Tour professional, but he has handled the challenges of the RoyalHarare Golf Club course better than any of his more senior colleagues as hewill head into the weekend leading the FBC Zimbabwe Open by one stroke.

In Friday’s second round, Breen fired acomposed four-under-par 68, which included six birdies. Combined with his 67 onthe first day, it lifted the Country Club Johannesburg golfer to nine-under forthe tournament, one ahead of the experienced Neil Schietekat (69).

Breen began Friday’s round on the 10th holeand the 25-year-old said one of the hardest challenges posed by the classicparkland layout is how differently the two nines play, with the back nine beingmuch more difficult.

“They are completely different nines. On thefront nine, the par-fives are more straightforward and the par-threes areeasier because there are no elevated greens. But on the back nine, the greensare elevated and it is quite punishing off the tee. They’ve been giving us backpins and the greens slope away towards the bunkers, so it is very hard to getthe ball close," he said.

“You feel like you’re holding on for dear lifeand you want some sort of cushion before you play the back nine. But I actuallyfound it quite nice to start on the back nine today, grind it out, trying tostay cool, and then opening up on the front nine,” Breen added.

And that’s exactly what the second-year prodid.

After two bogeys and a birdie in his first four holes, he made importantbirdies on the par-three 15th and par-four 18th holes,setting him up for a bogey-free front nine in which he picked up three moreshots, on the third, fifth and sixth holes.

“It’s a challenging course and sometimes parcan feel like birdie. You’ve just got to stay patient and set yourself up bybeing in the right spots. I’m in a nice position for the weekend becausescoring is going to be tough,” Breen said.

ROUND 1 SCORES

-9 - Adam Breen 67 68-8

- Neil Schietekat 67 69

-7 - Jacques P de Villiers 67 70

-6 - Wynand Dingle 66 (Par) [15]

-5 - Trevor Fisher Jnr 70 (-3) [15]

-4 - Ricky Hendler 69 71, Jonathan Broomhead 7169, Peter Karmis 67 73, Jaco Ahlers 71 69, Jovan Rebula 68 72,Lyle Rowe 71 69, Sean Bradley 74 66

-3 - David Wicks 70 71, Ivan Verster 71(-2) [15]

-2 - Estiaan Conradie 73 69, Stephen Ferreira 7468, Ryan Van Velzen 72 70, Yurav Premlall 74 68, Jared Harvey 7369

- Michael Vlismas

2023-05-04 19:14:33

Dingle leading the charge at Royal Harare

Wynand Dingle continued themomentum from his best season ever on the Sunshine Tour when he opened the newcampaign with a six-under-par 66 for the lead after the first round of the Zimbabwe Open, the first event of the new season, at Royal Harare Golf Club onThursday.

Boosted by his breakthroughSunshine Tour win at the Vodacom Origins of Golf Series event at San Lameerlast September, Dingle finished 16th in the 2022/23 Luna Orderof Merit, a small matter of a 63-place improvement on his previous best seasonin 2018/19, when he finished 79th.

And back in a country heloves and where he has enjoyed success before, finishing in the top-10 in lastyear's Zimbabwe Open, Dingle hit the ground running with a birdie at thepar-four first hole.

Although a bogey followed on the second, he birdied thefourth and then followed a wild run of three successive birdies from theseventh hole as he reached the back nine on four-under.

The 38-year-old's back ninewas more sedate, with the highlight coming on the 604-yard par-five 16th whenhis eagle putt disappeared like a shrew into its hole.

Peter Karmis was able tocall on his considerable experience and post a five-under 67 to share secondplace with another seasoned pro in Neil Schietekat and Jacques P. de Villiersand Adam Breen.

"I managed my game well andI was a bit lucky at times, sinking long putts, my short game kept me alive andwhen I was in the rough I seemed to find gaps between the trees," Karmis said.

"I'm playing with a lot ofcontrol at the moment, hitting the ball where I want to, which leads to a lotof confidence. And the greens are so pure here, it's crazy how good they are,so you're always going to make some putts.

"A good dinner and a goodnight's sleep will be key to shooting low again tomorrow," Karmis grinned.

JovanRebula was six-under-par through nine holes but then faded on the back nine,finishing with a 68 that left him in sixth place.

- Michael Vlismas

2023-04-23 19:10:40

Ahlers wraps up season with Tour Championship win

Jaco Ahlers left the best for last, in all respects.In the final tournament of the Sunshine Tour season, Ahlers chipped in from thebunker for birdie on the last to claim a four-shot victory in the TourChampionship at Serengeti Estates on Sunday.

Ahlers closed with a 71 and a total of 17 under par toclaim his 11th victory on the Sunshine Tour.

“I didn’t expect that finish. I was actually just tryingto keep it together there at the end. But what a way to finish. I couldn’t haveasked for more,” said Ahlers after he was drenched in six bottles of champagneby a group of Serengeti fans with whom he has a special relationship.

“This one was always special. I have a big tie withSerengeti and the people here. My sponsor lives here and I have a lot ofsupport here. This is like a second home for me. It’s a special win this one.”

Casey Jarvis finished second on 13 under par afterclosing with a 70. Luca Filippi, Ryan van Velzen and Pieter Moolman sharedthird on eight under par.

Ahlers went into the final round five strokes clear ofJarvis. After the par-three fifth hole, Ahlers was seven shots ahead of Jarvisas he threatened to surpass the record six-stroke victory by Tristen Strydomlast year.

But Jarvis then made three consecutive birdies from the sixth to cutAhlers’s lead down to three.

However, Ahlers remained composed, and when Jarvis bogeyedthe 11th and 14th holes, Ahlers birdied the 14thto give himself a six-shot lead with four to play. He bogeyed 17 and then madethe incredible birdie on 18.

With this being the season-ending tournament, OckieStrydom claimed the overall Luno Order of Merit title thereby securing himselfa place in two of the four Majors – the 151st Open Championship atRoyal Liverpool and, via the Federation Ranking on the Official World GolfRanking, the US PGA Championship at Oak Hill – as well as in the Nedbank GolfChallenge.

He also wins R500 000 in Bitcoin. Casey Jarvis walked off with the Rookie of the Seasonaward for a remarkable first season on the Sunshine Tour in which he challengedfor a maiden victory on several occasions, shot only the second 59 in SunshineTour history, and finished seventh on the final Luno Order of Merit.

– MichaelVlismas.

(Photo Credit: Tyrone Winfield/Sunshine Tour)

Scores:

271 - Jaco Ahlers 6665 69 71

275 - CaseyJarvis 67 67 71 70

280 - LucaFilippi 69 72 71 68, Ryan Van Velzen 70 69 72 69, PieterMoolman 68 70 71 71

281 - KeenanDavidse 67 69 74 71

282 - StefanWears-Taylor 71 70 75 66, Wilco Nienaber 70 74 71 67, HennieOtto 70 70 71 71

283 - JaydenSchaper 73 71 73 66, Benjamin Follett-Smith 73 71 71 68, JacquesBlaauw 68 74 69 72

284 - Jean Hugo 7171 74 68, Hennie du Plessis 71 69 75 69, Jaco Prinsloo 70 71 70 73

285 - JJ Senekal 6770 79 69, Heinrich Bruiners 68 73 71 73

286 - HermanLoubser 70 71 79 66, Wynand Dingle 72 72 73 69, Ockie Strydom 7473 69 70, Dylan Mostert 72 76 68 70, Brandon Stone 71 75 70 70, DylanNaidoo 72 71 71 72, Martin Rohwer 72 67 74 73, Daniel vanTonder 70 74 68 74

287 - OliverBekker 68 75 75 69, Jaco Van Zyl 71 68 76 72

288 - MalcolmMitchell 73 73 73 69, Hennie O'Kennedy 71 69 71 77

290 - MartinVorster 74 70 74 72, Kyle Barker 72 70 72 76

2023-04-21 19:45:36

Jaco Ahlers tightened his grip on the season-endingTour Championship as he moved into a three-stroke lead headed into the weekendat Serengeti Estates.

On another windy day on Friday Ahlers was outstandingwith the putter and signed for a 65 to lead on 13 under par. Casey Jarvis ishis nearest challenger on 10 under following a 67, and Keenan Davidse continuesto do well despite being treated for bronchitis as he posted a 69 to currentlylie in third place on eight under par.

Ahlers’s level of comfort at a Serengeti Estates,which he calls his second home, is very clear to see. The only errors he madeon Friday were two poor iron shots – both of them on par threes – on his secondnine.

“I’m very happy. I did make two bad bogeys on the backnine, which was really just bad iron shots. But other than that the putter isworking like magic for me. The greens are good, the golf course is good, so youcan’t ask for more,” said Ahlers, who is also staying with his sponsor on theestate this week.

And this is clearly a golf course he enjoys. “I like this golf course a lot. I can see what I needto do around here. The course fits my eye so I know where to miss it and I knowhow to get it around here. It really just comes down to the putting. There area lot of birdies out there. You just need to be patient. My gameplan won’tchange for the weekend. Hopefully the putter just keeps working like it is.”

– MichaelVlismas

Scores:131 - Jaco Ahlers 6665

134 - CaseyJarvis 67 67

136 - KeenanDavidse 67 69

137 - JJ Senekal 6770

138 - PieterMoolman 68 70

139 - Ryan VanVelzen 70 69, Jaco Van Zyl 71 68, Martin Rohwer 72 67

140 - Hennie Otto 7070, Hennie du Plessis 71 69, Hennie O'Kennedy 71 69

141 - HermanLoubser 70 71, Luca Filippi 69 72, Jaco Prinsloo 70 71, HeinrichBruiners 68 73, Stefan Wears-Taylor 71 70, Louis Albertse 72 69

142 - Jean Hugo 7171, Kyle Barker 72 70, Jacques Blaauw 68 74

143 - DylanNaidoo 72 71, Oliver Bekker 68 75144 - WilcoNienaber 70 74, Martin Vorster 74 70, Daniel van Tonder 70 74,Benjamin Follett-Smith 73 71, Wynand Dingle 72 72, JaydenSchaper 73 71

145 - BradleyBawden 73 72, Thriston Lawrence 72 73

146 - AlbertVenter 76 70, Sean Bradley 74 72, Brandon Stone 71 75, JakeRedman 71 75, Malcolm Mitchell 73 73

147 - OckieStrydom 74 73, MJ Viljoen 75 72148 - Ruan Korb 7573, Dylan Mostert 72 76149 -

Lyle Rowe 7376, Dan Erickson 72 77150 - CombrinckSmit 72 78, Keagan Thomas 76 74

152 - StephenFerreira 76 76

155 - NeilSchietekat 76 79

2023-04-20 17:43:17

Ahlers chasing Tour Championship glory

Jaco Ahlers’ love for the Tour Championship andSerengeti Estates was clear to see as he opened with a six-under-par 66 to leadthe first round of this Sunshine Tour season-ending tournament by a singlestroke on Thursday.

Ahlers didn’t drop a single shot on a windy openingday and with some tough pin placements to test this field of the leadingavailable professionals within the top 50 on the Sunshine Tour’s Luno Order ofMerit.

The trio of Casey Jarvis, Keenan Davidse and JJSenekal are one shot behind him.

Jarvis is again hunting a maiden Sunshine Tourtitle in his rookie season, and less than a week after shooting only the second59 in Sunshine Tour history.

It’s been a busy season for Ahlers as he’s divided histime between the Sunshine Tour and Asia, and he’d love nothing more than toclaim a victory at Serengeti this week.

“I didn’t play much in South Africa, but I finishedthird in the SDC Championship which secured my place in this field. This is atournament I just love and want to win, so this is a good start,” he said.

“It’s a good golf course. The wind was blowing andthere were a few tough pin placements, but the course was also soft which helpswith the scoring. I’m really happy I didn’t make a bogey.”

Behind him, Jarvis is once again near the top of theleaderboard in what has been a stellar rookie season on the Sunshine Tour wherehe’s challenged for a maiden title on several occasions.

“I’m getting more comfortable in this position now andjust want to keep learning. I didn’t think I’d be here playing in a TourChampionship in my rookie season and I’m really proud of myself for achievingthat,” he said.

“There was a bit of wind the whole day – probablyabout a club-and-a-half. I played well. I struggled a bit with my wedges butI’m happy with my start. I rolled in the putts I needed to make.”

– Michael Vlismas

Scores:66 - Jaco Ahlers

67 - Casey Jarvis,Keenan Davidse, JJ Senekal

68 - Jacques Blaauw,Pieter Moolman, Oliver Bekker, Heinrich Bruiners

69 - Luca Filippi

70 - Herman Loubser,Jaco Prinsloo, Ryan Van Velzen, Wilco Nienaber, Daniel van Tonder, Hennie Otto

71 - Hennie du Plessis,Hennie O'Kennedy, Stefan Wears-Taylor, Jake Redman, Brandon Stone, Jaco VanZyl, Jean Hugo

72 - Kyle Barker, DylanMostert, Dan Erickson, Louis Albertse, Wynand Dingle, Dylan Naidoo, ThristonLawrence, Martin Rohwer, Combrinck Smit

73 - Jayden Schaper,Malcolm Mitchell, Bradley Bawden, Benjamin Follett-Smith, Lyle Rowe

74 - Martin Vorster,Sean Bradley, Ockie Strydom

75 - Ruan Korb, MJViljoen

76 - Keagan Thomas,Stephen Ferreira, Albert Venter, Neil Schietekat

2023-04-16 18:35:17

When it comesto a Players Championship, there could not have been a more popular winner ofthe Stella Artois Players Championship amongst all his peers than Kyle Barker.

The man withthe biggest smile on the Sunshine Tour had even more reason to do so as Barkerclaimed his maiden victory on the circuit at Dainfern Country Club on Sunday.

A week ofincredible scoring saw Barker sign off with a 61 to win on 30 under par.

Hefinished six shots clear of second-placed Peter Karmis, who closed with a 64,and Casey Jarvis, who signed for a final round of 68.

Karmis andJarvis sharing second place alongside each other was another special moment asthey also share the lowest round in Sunshine Tour history of 59.

Karmis shothis 59 in 2009 and Jarvis equaled that this week in the third round of thistournament.But the biggestsmile and applause belonged to the ever-popular Barker.

“Thank you somuch guys. Honestly, this feels like a dream right now. To all the supportersout there and everyone that came, it was just amazing. Thank you so much,” saidBarker.

Barker wasthree shots off the overnight lead and then stormed through the field with thekind of free-flowing golf he’s known for, making six birdies on the front nineand then five on the second nine.

“My mindset waskey out there today. I played carefree golf. I didn’t mind if I made a mistake,and if I did I bounced back immediately. My mindset was just so strong and myshort game was also very good out there. The greens were superb. I’m just soproud of myself for doing this,” he said.

In a week ofmemorable moments, Barker said his six iron into the par-five 18thgreen would stand out as his favourite.

“I’ve neverfelt my hands shake so much in my life but I’m just glad it came out of themiddle of the clubface and finished in the middle of the green, and thetwo-putt to win was awesome. I’m just so thankful to my family and my fiancé,Savannah, for their support.”

And one of themost popular players on the Sunshine Tour paid tribute to his fellow players aswell.

“I also want tothank my best pals – my travel buddies. There have been a lot of ups and downsthis year, but I really want to thank them. It’s been amazing and I lookforward to our future memories to come.”

Leaderboard:

258 - KyleBarker 68 64 65 61

264 - PeterKarmis 68 65 67 64, Casey Jarvis 71 66 59 68

265 - DanErickson 66 62 71 66, Lyle Rowe 65 65 66 69

266 - LukeJerling 64 66 69 67, Jaco Van Zyl 66 65 67 68

267 - EstiaanConradie 65 69 68 65, Darren Fichardt 62 68 71 66, LeonVorster 66 66 68 67

2023-04-15 18:05:09

59 for Jarvis equals Sunshine Tour record

CaseyJarvis shot a 59 to equal the lowest tournament round in Sunshine Tour historyin Saturday's third round of the Stella Artois Players Championship at DainfernCountry Club and which puts him two shots behind tournament leader LucaFilippi.

Itwas another day of the most incredible scoring in a tournament that has alreadydelivered some world-class golf.

Jarvistapped in for par on 18 for his 59 on Saturday to equal the 59 shot by PeterKarmis in the 2009 Lombard Insurance Classic on the Royal Swazi Spa Golf Coursein eSwatini.

Itlifted him to tied second with Lyle Rowe on 20 under par, with Filippi scoring29 on the back nine for a 66 that earned him the sole lead on 22 under par.

But19-year-old Jarvis stole the show with his record-equaling round.

"Idefinitely didn’t wake up this morning thinking about a 59. I haven’t beenplaying well leading up to this round but everything just went for me today.You get out there and the putts just start dropping,” said Jarvis.Theputts started dropping for him as early as the second hole where he made hisfirst birdie of the day. It started a run of seven consecutive birdies for afront nine of 29. Then Jarvis added two birdies and two eagles on the back ninefor a 30.“Ihit some good quality shots and rolled in a lot of good putts. The putt onseven was quite long and when that went in I knew it was going to be somethingquite special,” said Jarvis.

"Theeagle on the 17th was really big. I stood on the 18th teewith 59 in my mind. I hit a bad drive but got it done. It’s so tough to do."

Filippiwas delighted with his own performance, and particular the work he's been doingon staying in the moment and not being sidetracked by what is going on aroundhim.

Saturday was certainly a good day to put that to the test.

"Ithink I did a great job of staying patient and in the present with all thebirdies out there. I'm very pleased with the way I've played this week and I'llgive it my all in the final round. Casey's 59 was incredible golf and it willbe a good battle with him on the final day. But I'm really comfortable with theposition I’m in at the moment."

BetweenJarvis' record-equaling golf and Filippi shooting his second consecutive 29over nine holes in this tournament, Daniel van Tonder also added to a day ofthrilling golf with his hole-in-one on the par-three 16th, earninghimself R200 000 from sponsor Stella Artois.

- Michael Vlismas

2023-04-14 21:01:35

Filippi and Erickson go low to lead at Dainfern

The low scoring continued in the second round of the Stella Artois Players Championship at Dainfern Country Club on Friday as South Africa's Luca Filippi posted his first 29 over nine holes in a tournament for a 64 and American Dan Erickson signed for a 62 to see them share the lead on 16 under par going into the weekend.

They are two strokes clear of Darren Fichardt, Lyle Rowe, Tristen Strydom, Luke Jerling and Jovan Rebula after 36 holes in which the halfway cut fell at five under par.

Erickson carded two eagles during his round, while Filippi turned one under for the round and then lit up his second nine.

"It was just a magical nine. I had a six-metre putt on the last hole to break 30 and it was an unreal feeling to get that first 29 in a tournament," said Filippi, who has been showing signs of this kind of performance.

"I've been playing some great golf recently and come close so many times now, so I'm really looking forward to what unfolds on the weekend. I've been getting more comfortable in high pressure situations and understanding what your body does under pressure. I've been working hard with a psychologist and we talk a lot about staying in the moment, and that's been a real switch for me. It's just about feeling comfortable and knowing what kind of shot shape I hit under the gun."

Filippi identified the par fives as the key to scoring at Dainfern, and co-leader Erickson felt exactly the same.

"They're lighting it up out here. It's crazy how low the scores have been. I don't find that the golf course is really set up that easy. I think it’s just the fact that the par fives are reachable, so you can really take advantage of those. I had eagle looks on all the par fives today and made two of them."

Much like Filippi, Erickson is also doing his best to stay in the present on a golf course where it can feel like you are losing ground if you're not making a handful of birdies.

"That's where I can go wrong on golf courses like this where the scores are really low. I try to force birdies, and it would be better for me to just try to stay patient and let the birdies come. Patience and just sticking to the gameplan will be the biggest key for me for the weekend. I've done a good job of not feeling like I had to shoot a low score the past few days."

- Michael Vlismas

2023-04-13 19:42:37

Fichardt the toast of day one in Stella Artois PlayersChampionship

Darren Fichardtsigned off with a birdie and an eagle for a round of 10-under-par 62 to leadthe first round of the Stella Artois Players Championship by a single stroke atDainfern Country Club on Thursday.

On a day of lowscores Fichardt had to produce his bit of the magic in the windier afternoonconditions. He started his round with two straight birdies, made fourconsecutive birdies to the turn, added another at the par-five 12thand then took the lead with his birdie-eagle finish.

Tristen Strydom led formost of the day with his opening 63 before Fichardt’s 62.

“It was quitewindy in the afternoon, but the greens are so good that if you hit a good puttit goes in. The greens are really primed for low scoring,” said Fichardt.

The experiencedSunshine Tour professional admits his game hasn’t been at the standard he wantsthis year. But rounds such as this one, and a previous 62 in the third round ofthe Bain’s Whisky Cape Town Open in February, certainly give him the confidencethat what he’s working on is close to paying off.

“I haven’t beenplaying that well this year, but I’ve been working really hard. I’ve beentrying to find the secret to a few things in my game, and today was a goodindication that I’m almost there. I’ve almost got it sorted out, and I can lookforward to some good rounds ahead.”

Behind him,Strydom also felt comfortable in a tournament where he finished third lastyear, and at a time of the year when he always seems to play well. After histhird-place finish in this event last year he went on to win his first SunshineTour title in the season-ending Tour Championship a week later.

– Michael Vlismas

Scores:

62 - DarrenFichardt

63 - TristenStrydom

64 - JaredHarvey, Luke Jerling, Keagan Thomas, Jovan Rebula, Luca Filippi, Dylan Mostert,Albert Venter

65 - LyleRowe, Estiaan Conradie

66 - FranklinManchest, Michael Palmer, Dan Erickson, Jaco Van Zyl, Leon Vorster, CallumMowat, Daniel van Tonder, Rupert Kaminski

67 - QuintinWilsnach, Rhys Enoch, Ryan Van Velzen, JJ Senekal, Keenan Davidse, MalcolmMitchell, Christiaan Burke, Rourke van der Spuy, Robin Williams, PierrePellegrin

68 - JasonSmith, Lindani Ndwandwe, Erhard Lambrechts, Ruan Korb, Jean Hugo, Therion Nel,Sean Bradley, Luke Brown, Peter Karmis, Jacques P de Villiers, Jacques Blaauw,Kyle Barker, Stefan Wears-Taylor, Jastice Mashego, Dean O'Riley

69 - MakhethaMazibuko, Matias Calderon, Brandon Stone, Martin Rohwer, Richard Joubert, KyleMcClatchie, Thabang Simon, Thanda Mavundla, Fredrik From, Louis Albertse,Mutahi Kibugu, Nikhil Rama, Doug McGuigan, Harry Konig, Adam Breen, KaraboMokoena, James Mack

70 - JamesPennington, Henning du Plooy, Bradley Bawden, Herman Loubser, Dylan Naidoo,Combrinck Smit, Stephen Ferreira, Ulrich van den Berg, Siyanda Mwandla, ClaytonMansfield, James Hart du Preez, Heinrich Bruiners, Chris Cannon, ThristonLawrence, Alex Haindl, Christiaan Basson, Wynand Dingle, Keelan van Wyk

71 - MichaelHollick, Jean-Paul Strydom, Hennie Otto, Sean Cronje, Clancy Waugh, MadalitsoMuthiya, Matthew Spacey, Wallie Coetsee, Ruan de Smidt, Hennie O'Kennedy, CaseyJarvis, Martin Vorster, Dwayne Basson, Adriel Poonan

72 - AndreDe Decker, Allister de Kock, Pieter Moolman, Jake Redman, Vaughn van Deventer,Andre Van Dyk, Musiwalo Nethunzwi, Paul Boshoff, Steve Surry, Yurav Premlall,Steven Le Roux, CJ du Plessis, James Kamte, Riekus Nortje, Rhys West, WadeJacobs, Alphius Kelapile

73 - IrvinMazibuko, Hayden Griffiths, Michael Kok, Toto Thimba Jnr

74 - MandlaDlamini Jnr, Ruan Conradie, Lincon Denzy Cele, Samuel Simpson, Merrick Bremner,Jordan Duminy, Danie Van Niekerk

75 - ClintonGrobler, Lwazi Gqira, Brandon-Jude Rennie, Mohammad Rauf Mandhu, Slenda Sithebe

76 - ChrisSwanepoel, Keelan Africa, Gerard du Plooy, Trevor Fisher Jnr, Evance Vukeya

77 - SandyMakume, Maverick Faber, Shaahid Mahmed, Dayne Moore, Andre De Jager

78 - SPMthethwa

80 - TumeloMolloyi

2023-04-02 19:14:58

Debut Sunshine Tour win for Van Velzen in LimpopoChampionship

Ryanvan Velzen claimed his maiden victory on the Sunshine Tour in a dramatic finalround of the Limpopo Championship at the Euphoria Golf and Lifestyle Estate onSunday.

At theend of a difficult week of weather delays which forced the tournament to bereduced to 54 holes, the 21-year-old Van Velzen signed for a final round of 68to win by a single stroke on 12 under par. Jaco Prinsloo, Luca Filippi andDaniel van Tonder shared second place on 11 under par. Former South AfricanGolf Development Board (SAGDB) member Franklin Manchest achieved an impressivetop 10 finish on seven under par.

Athrilling Sunday began with the suspended second round being completed onSunday morning. Prinsloo posted a 67 – including four consecutive birdies onthe back nine – to claim a two-stroke lead on 11 under par, with NeilSchietekat his nearest challenger on nine under par. Van Velzen was in a shareof third place on eight under par.

In thethird and final round, Prinsloo appeared to be well in control and headed forvictory as he birdied the 16th for a one-stroke lead over Van Velzenwith only the par-five 18th to come. Van Velzen had already made itinto the clubhouse on 12 under.

ButPrinsloo double bogeyed the 18th after hitting his approach deepinto the left rough, with Van Velzen watching as he celebrated his firstvictory on the Sunshine Tour.

“It’sincredible. It’s awesome,” said an emotional Van Velzen.

“This changeseverything for me. I’m now into every single Sunshine Tour and DP World Tourco-sanctioned tournament next season.”

VanVelzen’s putter was the key for him this week.

“I’ve been working really hardand I holed some good putts. I also stayed really calm during all the weatherdisruptions. My caddie Luke was such a big help for me. He kept me in a goodspace and we just had a good time out there. I’d set myself a target for 15under overall. I didn’t get there, but I played unbelievable golf this wholeweek and had so much fun out there.”

FinalScores

-12 Ryan VanVelzen 69 67 68

-11 JacoPrinsloo 66 67 72, Luca Filippi 71 68 66, Daniel van Tonder 7166 68

-10 Jean-PaulStrydom 71 69 66

-9 NeilSchietekat 66 69 72, Jbe' Kruger 69 71 67, James Hart duPreez 72 67 68

-8 Wynand Dingle 6870 70

- Sunshine Tour

2023-04-01 19:40:40

Schietekat calm amidst the Limpopo Championship storm

In aLimpopo Championship week of weather suspensions, a waterlogged golf course, atournament reduced to 54 holes, and three days to play two rounds of golf, NeilSchietekat has actually felt more in control of his game than before.

Whendarkness fell on Saturday with the second round of this tournament still to becompleted, Schietekat was already safely in the clubhouse in the lead with a36-hole total of nine under par.

AfterThursday’s weather suspension then no play on Friday because of heavy rain anda waterlogged golf course, Saturday finally saw the completion of the firstround.

Schietekat finished off his first round in a share of the lead alongsideJaco Prinsloo and Jacques Blaauw with a six-under-par 66.

Thesecond started thereafter and Schietekat earned himself the sole clubhouse leadon nine under with a round of 69. The second round couldn’t be completed beforedarkness and will resume on Sunday morning before the shotgun start of thethird and final round.

“Thestop-start is a bit irritating but there is nothing you can do about it,” saidSchietekat.

But he’s managed it superbly and is bogey free after two rounds.That alone has given him the satisfaction of knowing that what he’s beenworking on is now starting to pay off.

“Istarted off the year really badly. I was missing cuts on the Sunshine Tour andin Asia, and I’m not used to missing cuts. I was in a dark hole and I needed tostep back and re-evaluate what I’m doing. I really needed to make a couple ofchanges,” he said.

“Ichanged coaches and I started seeing a sports psychologist, and it feels reallygood. I started seeing some results during the recent DP World Tourco-sanctioned tournaments in South Africa and I feel like I know what I’m doingnow again.”

Behindhim, Hennie du Plessis is once again well placed just one shot back followingrounds of 67 and 69. Du Plessis has twice finished runner-up in thistournament. ChristiaanBurke and Ryan van Velzen also managed to finish their second rounds to join DuPlessis on eight under overall.

JacoPrinsloo is currently six under for the tournament through seven holes of hissecond round.

– Michael Vlismas

Scores:

-9 - NeilSchietekat 66 69

-8 - Hennie duPlessis 67 69, Christiaan Burke 69 67, Ryan Van Velzen 69 67

-6 - JacoPrinsloo 66 (Par) [7]

-5 - FranklinManchest 71 68, Luca Filippi 71 68, Stephen Ferreira 69(-2) [8], Jacques Blaauw 66 (+1) [2]

-4 - DeonGermishuys 69 71, Yurav Premlall 70 70, Jean-Paul Strydom 71 69,James Mack 73 67, Herman Loubser 70 (-2) [7], WynandDingle 68 (Par) [7]

2023-03-31 21:34:07

Storm suspends play at Limpopo Championship

The Limpopo Championship was hit with severe weather on Friday which prevented the resumption of the suspended first round at the Euphoria Golf and Lifestyle Estate, and with play eventually called off for the day.

The first round had to be suspended on Thursday as a result of dangerous weather conditions. Jaco Prinsloo and Jacques Blaauw shared the clubhouse lead with their rounds of six-under-par 66.

Wynand Dingle was two strokes back following his 68. Neil Schietekat and Keenan Davidse were also both on four under par through 12 holes when play was called off because of poor light.

Play was scheduled to resume at 7:40am on Friday, but a threat of lightning prevented this restart. Then persistent rainfall rendered the golf course unplayable, and with five hours required for the golf course maintenance team to prepare the course if and when it stopped raining, the decision was made to call off play for the day.

The first round will now resume at 7:30am on Saturday, with the second round scheduled to start at 9:05am.

– Michael Vlismas

2023-03-30 18:47:36

Prinsloo, Blaauw share lead in Limpopo

JacoPrinsloo and Jacques Blaauw both opened with rounds of six-under-par 66 toshare the clubhouse lead in the suspended first round of the LimpopoChampionship at the Euphoria Golf and Lifestyle Estate on Thursday.

The duoare two strokes clear of Wynand Dingle, who signed for a 68. Neil Schietekatand Keenan Davidse were also both on six under par through 12 holes when playwas called off because of poor light. Play was suspended earlier in the daybecause of dangerous weather conditions. Thefirst round will be completed on Friday morning before the start of the secondround.

Prinsloocontinued his solid form this season in a part of the world where he feelsright at home.

“I grewup about 100 kilometres from here so it feels like home. I grew up on this kindof grass and it’s nice to be here and be in the bush,” he said.

Prinsloohas been incredibly consistent over the past few months. Since his top 10finish in December’s Investec South African Open he enjoyed an impressive runin the European Challenge Tour co-sanctioned tournaments in February where hefinished third in the SDC Open and second in the Nelson Mandela BayChampionship.

He also added a share of 14th in the SDC Championship,which was co-sanctioned with the DP World Tour.

“It’salways nice to get off to a good start and see if you can build on that. I’mlooking forward to the rest of the week,” he said.

Blaauwwas also delighted to be in contention on a golf course he has immense respectfor.

“We were all talking about it earlier in the week and you need to keep itin play off the tee box here. You can’t miss a fairway here. If you miss afairway it’s penalising. I mean I had to take two unplayable lies today, butI’m happy I made some putts which eased it the other way. I know I can make ascore out here and I’m just going to go out and keep firing.”

– MichaelVlismas

IncompleteScores:

-6 - Jaco Prinsloo,Jacques Blaauw

-4 - Wynand Dingle, NeilSchietekat [12], Keenan Davidse [12]

-3 - Stephen Ferreira,Hennie O'Kennedy, Michael Hollick, Jbe' Kruger, Sean Bradley [12],Danie Van Niekerk [12], Hennie du Plessis [12], LukeJerling [12], Deon Germishuys [12]

-2 - Clayton Mansfield,Herman Loubser, Jacques Kruyswijk, Ruan Korb, Rhys West, Casey Jarvis, ShaahidMahmed [15], Christiaan Burke [12], MadalitsoMuthiya [9], Matthew Spacey [9], Sean Cronje [6]

-1 - Combrinck Smit,Pieter Moolman, Lyle Rowe, Daniel van Tonder, Louis Albertse, StefanWears-Taylor, Ruan Conradie, Chris Cannon, Vaughn van Deventer [12],Franklin Manchest [12], Callum Mowat [12], LucaFilippi [12], Allister de Kock [12], Ryan VanVelzen [9], Clinton Grobler [9], Evance Vukeya [9],Karabo Mokoena [9], Michael Kok [6]

Par - Paul Boshoff, JamesHart du Preez, Keagan Thomas, Martin Vorster, Jovan Rebula, MalcolmMitchell [12], Yurav Premlall [9], Therion Nel [9],Fredrik From [9], Pierre Pellegrin [9], QuintinWilsnach [6]

+1 - James Pennington,Adam Breen, Rupert Kaminski, JJ Senekal, Kyle Barker, Jacques P de Villiers,Jake Redman, Steve Surry, Harry Konig, MJ Viljoen, Estiaan Conradie, SlendaSithebe, Aneurin Gounden [12], Irvin Mazibuko [12],James Mack [9], Peter Karmis [9], JasticeMashego [9], Mohammad Rauf Mandhu [9], MaverickFaber [9]

+2 - Tristen Strydom,Robin Williams, Jean Hugo, Albert Venter, CJ du Plessis, Luke Brown, HaydenGriffiths, Clancy Waugh, Keelan Africa [15], Wade Jacobs [12],Samuel Simpson [12], Thabang Simon [12], HeinrichBruiners [12], Sentanio Minnie [9], Gerard duPlooy [9], Doug McGuigan [9], Jean-Paul Strydom [9],Leon Vorster [9]

+3 - Richard Joubert,Jacquin Hess, Ricky Hendler, Siyanda Mwandla, Toto Thimba Jnr, ErhardLambrechts [15], Brandon-Jude Rennie [12], LwaziGqira [12], Musiwalo Nethunzwi [9], ThandaMavundla [9], Mutahi Kibugu [9], Henning duPlooy [9], Mandla Dlamini Jnr [9], Mike Maile [9],Dayne Moore [9]

+4 - Kyle McClatchie,Jason Smith, Steven Le Roux [12], James Kamte [12],Wallie Coetsee [12], Makhetha Mazibuko [12], AdrielPoonan [9], Tristin Galant [9], Tumelo Molloyi [9]

+5 - Alex Haindl, JaredHarvey

+6 - Lincon Denzy Cele,Chris Swanepoel, Andre De Decker, Keegan Mclachlan [12], DionFourie [9], Alphius Kelapile [9], Keelan van Wyk [9]

+7 - Reinhardt Blaauw,Matias Calderon

+10 - Ricco Motsa

+11 - Mark Maart

+12 - Ruan de Smidt

2023-03-26 16:39:58

Germany’s Nick Bachem claimed a dream debut victory on the DP World Tour when he won the Jonsson Workwear Open, co-sanctioned with the Sunshine Tour, by four shots at The Club at Steyn City on Sunday.

Bachem closed with a bogey-free final round of 64 to win on 24 under par.

South Africans Zander Lombard and Hennie du Plessis shared second place on 20 under par with their respective final rounds of 65 and 68.

Bachem’s rise has been incredible from only recently playing on the Euro Pro Tour and then European Challenge Tour, to now being crowned a champion on the DP World Tour.

“It feels amazing. I think it’s my 10th start on the DP World Tour. I always believed I could win out here," he said.

"But to be honest, just playing on the DP World Tour has been overwhelming, and now to win on it as well is amazing. I actually can’t process what’s happened to me over the last few years.”

Bachem overcame a challenging start to his final round when his drive off the first was plugged in a fairway bunker. He managed to make an incredible par from there and went on to play flawless golf.

“I had a bad start with that plugged lie on the first hole and a pitch out. But I changed my mindset during this tournament. I led a tournament in Kenya recently and I tried too hard to win there and it didn’t work out. So this week I just stuck to the plan and stayed calm. My caddie is also very experienced and kept me in the moment most of the time. I just wanted to enjoy today and enjoy having the chance to win a tournament. I played great and am lucky it was my day.”

Bachem says he’s also determined to enjoy every moment of what he believes is a privilege to play professional golf.

“I can’t think of anything else I’d want to do with my life, and how lucky I am. I mean, to be here in South Africa in the sunshine playing a beautiful golf course while it’s snowing back home, and all I have to worry about is whether I make a few birdies or not – that’s a pretty good life. I’m determined to enjoy every moment of being on tour and to really savour it. I learn from the bad weeks and enjoy the good ones.” – Michael Vlismas

Scores:

264 - Nick Bachem 65 66 69 64

268 - Zander Lombard 68 69 66 65, Hennie du Plessis 69 66 65 68

269 - Ockie Strydom 69 64 69 67, Ewen Ferguson 66 69 66 68

270 - Kristian Krogh Johannessen 70 68 68 64, Gavin Green 66 67 67 70, Joakim Lagergren 65 72 63 70

271 - Jacques Kruyswijk 68 68 68 67, Hennie O'Kennedy 65 69 69 68, Sebastian Soderberg 65 69 69 68, Romain Langasque 68 64 69 70

272 - Aaron Cockerill 66 69 72 65, Robin Sciot-Siegrist 68 70 69 65, Marcel Schneider 68 65 70 69, Alexander Knappe 68 66 65 73

273 - Alejandro Del Rey 72 67 67 67, Jayden Schaper 66 69 71 67, Wynand Dingle 68 69 69 67, Keenan Davidse 69 68 68 68, Mikko Korhonen 67 70 68 68, Daniel Brown 69 68 67 69, Martin Simonsen 66 71 67 69

274 - Jordan Smith 69 69 69 67, Andy Sullivan 67 71 69 67, Jamie Donaldson 68 69 69 68, James Hart du Preez 69 70 68 67, Kalle Samooja 68 65 72 69, Julien Guerrier 70 66 69 69, Sami Valimaki 67 65 72 70, Julien Brun 67 66 70 71

275 - Daniel van Tonder 67 69 71 68, Matthew Baldwin 68 68 70 69, Matthieu Pavon 74 65 66 70, Hurly Long 67 71 67 70, Stefan Wears-Taylor 68 70 71 66, Louis Albertse 69 66 69 71, Wilco Nienaber 67 69 68 71, Martin Vorster 64 69 68 74

276 - Clement Sordet 69 69 70 68, Ross Fisher 69 67 69 71, George Coetzee 66 72 72 66

277 - Joost Luiten 67 68 71 71, Jbe' Kruger 68 68 70 71, Niklas Norgaard 66 70 72 69

278 - Lyle Rowe 70 68 69 71, Justin Walters 69 67 71 71, Oliver Wilson 68 69 72 69, Jaco Van Zyl 71 68 70 69, Merrick Bremner 69 70 70 69, Calum Hill 66 72 74 66

279 - Mikael Lindberg 69 67 69 74, John Catlin 69 70 70 70, Jaco Prinsloo 71 67 72 69, Bradley Bawden 69 70 71 69, Thriston Lawrence 68 68 75 68, Louis de Jager 69 68 75 67

280 - Connor Syme 70 69 70 71, Neil Schietekat 69 68 73 70, Deon Germishuys 73 66 71 70, Shaun Norris 71 68 71 70, Nicolai Von Dellingshausen 67 72 72 69, Philip Eriksson 69 70 73 68

281 - Oliver Hundeboll 68 69 70 74, Paul Waring 67 71 69 74, MJ Viljoen 69 69 71 72, Joshua Lee 68 67 74 72, Jens Dantorp 73 66 70 72, Dylan Mostert 69 66 75 71

282 - Darren Fichardt 64 72 75 71283 - Martin Rohwer 69 70 71 73, Tom McKibbin 68 70 75 70

284 - Benjamin Follett-Smith 67 70 69 78, Thomas Aiken 72 66 73 73, Sam Hutsby 69 69 74 72

285 - Ma Chengyao 70 68 74 73290 - Daniel Gavins 67 72 81 70

291 - Trevor Fisher Jnr 67 72 73 79

2023-03-25 19:35:38

Knappe leads into final round of Jonsson Workwear Open

On aday of rain and delayed tee times, having no strategy proved to be the beststrategy for Germany’s Alexander Knappe as he claimed the lead in the JonssonWorkwear Open headed into Sunday’s final round at The Club at Steyn City.

Whenthe third round finally teed off at 11am, Knappe decided to just see where hisgolf takes him on a difficult day. The result was a solid 65 for a one-strokelead on 17 under par.

“I hadno strategy to be honest. I just played golf and waited to see how it ended up.No strategy,” he said.

“It was great work. I made one bogey out there but I amonly human so I can’t be too hard on myself. There was no roll on the fairwaysbut you could go for every pin because it was so soft.”

Knappehas won before in South Africa in last year’s Dimension Data Pro-Am, which wasco-sanctioned with the European Challenge Tour.

But Sunday’s final round willbe a new experience for him at DP World Tour level.

“It’s my first time leadinga big event. I’ll see how I prepare for that mentally. But I’m just enjoyingthat feeling right now.”

SouthAfrica’s Hennie du Plessis, Swede Joakim Lagergren, Malaysia’s Gavin Green andGermany’s Nick Bachem are his nearest challengers on 16 under par.

– Michael Vlismas

Scores:

199 - AlexanderKnappe 68 66 65

200 - JoakimLagergren 65 72 63, Hennie du Plessis 69 66 65, Gavin Green 6667 67, Nick Bachem 65 66 69

201 - EwenFerguson 66 69 66, Martin Vorster 64 69 68, Romain Langasque 6864 69

202 - OckieStrydom 69 64 69

203 - ZanderLombard 68 69 66, Sebastian Soderberg 65 69 69, HennieO'Kennedy 65 69 69, Marcel Schneider 68 65 70, Julien Brun 67 6670

204 - MartinSimonsen 66 71 67, Daniel Brown 69 68 67, Jacques Kruyswijk 6868 68, Wilco Nienaber 67 69 68, Louis Albertse 69 66 69, SamiValimaki 67 65 72

205 - Mikko Korhonen 6770 68, Keenan Davidse 69 68 68, Ross Fisher 69 67 69, JulienGuerrier 70 66 69, Mikael Lindberg 69 67 69, Hurly Long 67 7167, Matthieu Pavon 74 65 66, Kalle Samooja 68 65 72

206 - BenjaminFollett-Smith 67 70 69, Wynand Dingle 68 69 69, Jamie Donaldson 6869 69, Jbe' Kruger 68 68 70, Matthew Baldwin 68 68 70, Kristian KroghJohannessen 70 68 68, Jayden Schaper 66 69 71, Joost Luiten 6768 71, Alejandro Del Rey 72 67 67

207 - OliverHundeboll 68 69 70, Jordan Smith 69 69 69, Paul Waring 67 71 69,Andy Sullivan 67 71 69, Lyle Rowe 70 68 69, Justin Walters 69 6771, Daniel van Tonder 67 69 71, Aaron Cockerill 66 69 72, RobinSciot-Siegrist 68 70 69, James Hart du Preez 69 70 68

208 - NiklasNorgaard 66 70 72, Clement Sordet 69 69 70

209 - Oliver Wilson 6869 72, MJ Viljoen 69 69 71, Stefan Wears-Taylor 68 70 71, JoshuaLee 68 67 74, Connor Syme 70 69 70, Jaco Van Zyl 71 68 70, JohnCatlin 69 70 70, Merrick Bremner 69 70 70, Jens Dantorp 73 66 70

210 - NeilSchietekat 69 68 73, George Coetzee 66 72 72, Jaco Prinsloo 7167 72, Dylan Mostert 69 66 75, Deon Germishuys 73 66 71, MartinRohwer 69 70 71, Shaun Norris 71 68 71, Bradley Bawden 69 70 71

211 - DarrenFichardt 64 72 75, Thriston Lawrence 68 68 75, Thomas Aiken 7266 73, Nicolai Von Dellingshausen 67 72 72

212 - Louis deJager 69 68 75, Ma Chengyao 70 68 74, Sam Hutsby 69 69 74, CalumHill 66 72 74, Philip Eriksson 69 70 73, Trevor Fisher Jnr 67 7273

213 - TomMcKibbin 68 70 75

220 - DanielGavins 67 72 81

2023-03-24 19:17:05

Surfer Bachem rides into Jonsson Workwear Open lead

Germany’sNick Bachem has often spent six weeks living out of a camper van and surfing inPortugal. He’s been on a safari in Kenya during a tournament, and last week hesurfed at Jeffreys Bay for the first time.

For a man who loves to try newthings on tour, it’s probably no surprise that he pulled out a new driver forthis week’s Jonsson Workwear Open at The Club at Steyn City, and it’s taken himto the top of the leaderboard.

Bachem’s66 in Friday’s second round lifted him to 13 under par and a one-stroke leadover the field in this Sunshine Tour and DP World Tour co-sanctioned event.

FrenchmanRomain Langasque and Finland’s Sami Valimaki are his nearest challengersfollowing their respective rounds of 64 and 65. And South Africa’s MartinVorster and Ockie Strydom are in a group of players including Gavin Green,Kalle Samooja, Julien Brun and Marcel Schneider on 11 under going into theweekend.

Strydom is hunting his third DP World Tour title in just over threemonths.

Bachem’sadventurous spirit has certainly worked for him this week on a golf coursethat’s forgiven him the odd miss with his new driver, and which he’s also madeup for with an incredible short game.

“It’sthe perfect course to try out a new driver because you can tee it high and letit fly, and just hit it as hard as you want to,” he said.

“I feellike when I try new stuff on tour it’s always a good experience and afterwardsI find I’m happy I did it,” he added of his penchant for trying new things in thecountries he visits.

“Whenyou’re into surfing you’ve definitely heard about the Jeffreys Bay wave. It’sone of the most famous spots in the world. We stayed there for a tournament andI surfed every morning and afternoon. It was amazing. I like coming to SouthAfrica. It feels like I spend more time here than in Germany. I also enjoyseeing so many great places and new people on tour. You get the chance to dostuff you would never do normally.”

– Michael Vlismas

Scores:131 - Nick Bachem 6566

132 - RomainLangasque 68 64, Sami Valimaki 67 65

133 - Gavin Green 6667, Kalle Samooja 68 65, Martin Vorster 64 69, Julien Brun 6766, Ockie Strydom 69 64, Marcel Schneider 68 65

134 - HennieO'Kennedy 65 69, Sebastian Soderberg 65 69, Alexander Knappe 6866

135 - EwenFerguson 66 69, Joost Luiten 67 68, Joshua Lee 68 67, DylanMostert 69 66, Hennie du Plessis 69 66, Louis Albertse 69 66,Jayden Schaper 66 69, Aaron Cockerill 66 69

136 - MikaelLindberg 69 67, Daniel van Tonder 67 69, Wilco Nienaber 67 69,Justin Walters 69 67, Niklas Norgaard 66 70, Julien Guerrier 7066, Matthew Baldwin 68 68, Ross Fisher 69 67, ThristonLawrence 68 68, Jbe' Kruger 68 68, Darren Fichardt 64 72,Jacques Kruyswijk 68 68

137 - ZanderLombard 68 69, Keenan Davidse 69 68, Joakim Lagergren 65 72,Jamie Donaldson 68 69, Benjamin Follett-Smith 67 70, Oliver Hundeboll 6869, Mikko Korhonen 67 70, Martin Simonsen 66 71, OliverWilson 68 69, Wynand Dingle 68 69, Neil Schietekat 69 68, Louisde Jager 69 68, Daniel Brown 69 68

138 - Ma Chengyao 7068, George Coetzee 66 72, Jordan Smith 69 69, Paul Waring 67 71,Andy Sullivan 67 71, Lyle Rowe 70 68, MJ Viljoen 69 69, JacoPrinsloo 71 67, Sam Hutsby 69 69, Clement Sordet 69 69, ThomasAiken 72 66, Kristian Krogh Johannessen 70 68, Hurly Long 67 71,Calum Hill 66 72, Tom McKibbin 68 70, Robin Sciot-Siegrist 6870, Stefan Wears-Taylor 68 70

139 - DeonGermishuys 73 66, Connor Syme 70 69, Daniel Gavins 67 72, PhilipEriksson 69 70, Martin Rohwer 69 70, Trevor Fisher Jnr 67 72,Matthieu Pavon 74 65, Shaun Norris 71 68, Nicolai Von Dellingshausen 6772, James Hart du Preez 69 70, Jaco Van Zyl 71 68, JohnCatlin 69 70, Merrick Bremner 69 70, Jens Dantorp 73 66,Alejandro Del Rey 72 67, Bradley Bawden 69 70

2023-03-23 19:36:20

SA duo Fichardt and Vorster lead Jonsson Workwear Open

SouthAfrica’s Darren Fichardt and Martin Vorster took advantage of a cool day and areceptive golf course to share the first-round clubhouse lead in the JonssonWorkwear Open at The Club at Steyn City on Thursday.

Fichardtset the clubhouse target with his morning round of eight-under-par 64, and wasjoined there in the afternoon by Vorster as both players never dropped a singleshot on day one of this Sunshine Tour and DP World Tour co-sanctionedtournament.

Theyare one stroke clear of Sebastian Soderberg, Hennie O’Kennedy, Joakim Lagergrenand Nick Bachem.

Play was suspended at 18:27 because of fading light and with afew players still finishing off their first rounds. But none of them willchallenge the current lead.

Momentumproved a key factor for both Fichardt and Vorster on Thursday. Fichardtteed off the 10th and started his round with two consecutive birdiesand never looked back.

“I justcarried on with that momentum. I didn’t have a great warm-up so for my firsttwo holes I was just focused on swinging it easy and hitting fairways andgreens. I managed to make those two birdies and that was me. I just stayedconsistent for the rest of the round. Once you get off to a hot start there’sno fixing up to do. You just keep riding the wave,” he said.

Vorsteralso enjoyed a momentum shift in his round. After missing a few short birdieputts towards the end of the front nine, the young star made an eagle on the 10thwhich sparked a run of four birdies in six holes thereafter.

“I’mvery happy. After I missed a few short birdie putts on the front nine my caddieMichal just told me to be patient. On 10 I hit a great second shot and made theputt for eagle and that shifted the momentum for me. I hit the ball really welland gave myself plenty of opportunities and ended up making a few putts so areally solid start to the tournament.”

Whilethe 47-year-old Fichardt is hunting his sixth DP World Tour victory, the21-year-old Vorster is still in his rookie season on the Sunshine Tour andseeking his maiden professional victory this week.

– Michael Vlismas

IncompleteScores:

-8 - Darren Fichardt,Martin Vorster

-7 - SebastianSoderberg, Hennie O'Kennedy, Joakim Lagergren, Nick Bachem

-6 - Calum Hill, AaronCockerill, Jayden Schaper, Ewen Ferguson, George Coetzee, Gavin Green, NiklasNorgaard, Martin Simonsen

-5 - Sami Valimaki,Nicolai Von Dellingshausen, Hurly Long, Daniel van Tonder, Andy Sullivan, PaulWaring, Daniel Gavins, Wilco Nienaber, Benjamin Follett-Smith, Joost Luiten,Mikko Korhonen, Julien Brun, Trevor Fisher Jnr, Adam Breen [17]

-4 - Romain Langasque,Jake Redman, Matthew Baldwin, Jbe' Kruger, Thriston Lawrence, Oliver Wilson,Wynand Dingle, Yeongsu Kim, Jacques Kruyswijk, Tom McKibbin, Marcel Schneider,Robin Sciot-Siegrist, Stefan Wears-Taylor, Zander Lombard, Alexander Knappe,Jamie Donaldson, Oliver Hundeboll, Kalle Samooja, Kyle Barker, Joshua Lee,Jeong Weon Ko [17]

-3 - Clement Sordet,Dylan Mostert, Ross Fisher, Ockie Strydom, Rafa Cabrera Bello, Ruan Korb, LukeBrown, Hennie du Plessis, James Hart du Preez, Merrick Bremner, John Catlin,Louis Albertse, Rourke van der Spuy, Neil Schietekat, Louis de Jager, SimonForsstrom, Daniel Brown, Pedro Figueiredo, Heinrich Bruiners, Bradley Bawden,Keenan Davidse, Oliver Bekker, Mikael Lindberg, Jordan Smith, JJ Senekal,Philip Eriksson, Justin Walters, MJ Viljoen, Martin Rohwer, Sam Hutsby [17]

-2 - Albert Venter,Rupert Kaminski, Jeremy Freiburghaus, Kristian Krogh Johannessen, BrandonStone, Tristen Strydom, Connor Syme, Ma Chengyao, Lukas Nemecz, Anton Karlsson,David Ravetto, Lyle Rowe, Luke Jerling, Julien Guerrier, Todd Clements, LucaFilippi [17]

-1 - Wil Besseling,Shaun Norris, Matthew Southgate, Tapio Pulkkanen, David Law, Jaco Van Zyl,Dylan Naidoo, Jacques P de Villiers, Michael Palmer, Hennie Otto, StephenFerreira, Pieter Moolman, Jaco Prinsloo, Daan Huizing, Jeff Winther, RuanConradie, Bryce Easton, Joel StalterPar - Thomas Aiken,Adrian Otaegui, Nacho Elvira, Estiaan Conradie, CJ du Plessis, John Parry,Alejandro Del Rey, Jason Smith, Musiwalo Nethunzwi, Jacques Blaauw, CaseyJarvis, Anthony Michael, Herman Loubser, John Axelsen

+1 - Siyanda Mwandla,Gunner Wiebe, JC Ritchie, Freddy Schott, Combrinck Smit, Jens Dantorp, DeonGermishuys, Justin Harding, Adri Arnaus, Dale Whitnell

+2 - Matthieu Pavon,Mateusz Gradecki, Jaco Ahlers, Makhetha Mazibuko, Franklin Manchest [17]

+3 - Paul Boshoff,Tobias Eden, Callum Mowat, Jean Hugo, Dan Bradbury

+4 - Thanda Mavundla,James Pennington [17]

+5 - Alexander Levy,Adriel Poonan

+6 - Evance Vukeya, AlexHaindl, Manu Gandas

+9 - Therion Nel

+11 - Tristin Galant

2023-03-11 19:35:58

British Open champ Buhai reigns supreme in Steenberg to lift fourth SA Women's Open title

South African golfer Ashleigh Buhai kept her cool to seal the Investec SA Women's Open title at Steenberg Golf Club on Saturday.

With an overnight lead of four, Buhai showed her major composure to seal her fourth SA Women's Open title in front of her family and friends.

READ FULL REPORT2023-03-10 18:53:27

2023-03-10 18:52:18

Buhai refuses to be blown off course at SA Women's Open

AshleighBuhai’s fighting spirit shone through on Friday when she carded athree-under-par 69 in defiance of the effects of a stomach bug in the thirdround of the Investec South African Women’s Open Championship at Steenberg GolfClub.

Whilethat paled in comparison with her opening 64 and her second-round 65, the fact that shewas able to overcome an opening bogey, make three birdies on the next fourholes, and then hang tough in the face of the illness to finally make anotherbirdie on the last hole of the day spoke volumes of her resolve.

It left her four clear of her pursuersahead of the final round of the tournament co-sanctioned by the Sunshine LadiesTour and the Ladies European Tour.

“There’sa bit of a bug going around this week, and some of the players have got it,”said Buhai.

“Unfortunately, I was one of them and I was up from 02:30 thismorning. To get through today and shoot under par is pretty good and I’m veryproud of myself.”

Thatstring of 12 consecutive grinding pars from the sixth until the 17th came asher putter, which had been so hot for the first two rounds, cooled downsignificantly.

She burned the edges enough to keep her interested, and the parswere enough to keep her ahead of Germany’s teenaged Chiara Noja and SpaniardAna Pelaez Trivino.

Trivinocarded a fine six-under-par 66 to climb to her share of third on 14-underthrough 54 holes, and Noja, who was Buhai’s closest pursuer at halfway, had aclosing stretch meltdown of three bogeys in five holes from the 13th to the17th as she signed for a three-under 69, having shared the lead with Buhaiafter the 12th hole.

Noja’sdownfall seemed to start when she left an eagle putt on 12 just short, and,although she made birdie to draw level with Buhai, she seemed to be too keen topress home what she perceived to be an advantage.

She pulled driver on thepar-four 13th, a bold play which seemed destined for trouble when she pushed itright.

“Metrying to carry that bunker is not even an option,” said Buhai of thesurprising play by Noja.

“To be honest, if you hit it over that bunker, there’sno space anyway. I hit seven-wood, wedge downwind the way the hole playedtoday, so I don’t really see the play.

“Butthat was a little opening and then, I thought if I could make my birdie puttthere, it could be a two-shot swing. I hit a good putt, but it didn’t drop -story of my day!”

Nojathen three-putted for bogey on the 15th, found the greenside bunker on thepar-three 17th and was unable to get it up and down from there, and couldn’tmake the most of a birdie chance on 18.

“Ithink I played a lot better than I scored,” said Noja. “Obviously, I’m a littlesick and I got a little sloppy and tired. On the back nine, I could really feelit. I was just trying to get across 18 and go to sleep and recover for tomorrowand try to keep myself in contention as much as possible. I’m really guttedthat putt on 18 didn’t drop because I hit it and thought it was going in.”

Behindthe leading three, last year’s runner-up Magdalena Simmermacher from Argentinashowed her class again with a second-consecutive five-under-par 67 taking herto fourth on 13-under.

She was one clear of Alessandra Fanali of Italy, whoalso signed for a 67, and Sweden’s Johanna Gustavsson, who had a 69 to move tonine-under and a share of fifth.

SouthAfrica’s Casandra Alexander parlayed a hole-in-one on the second into atwo-under 70 to move into seventh at eight-under and be the second-placed SouthAfrican.

Next-best of the South Africans was rookie Kaleigh Telfer, who was oneshot behind Alexander in a share of eighth on seven-under after she carded aone-under 71.

For Buhai,the chase from Noja was a good bit of practice at focusing on the job at handin the final round when she sets off in pursuit of her fourth title in hernational open championship.

“I like to think the calibre of shots I have willstand me in good stead tomorrow, especially with the wind,” she said.

“She’s agreat player. When she came out firing - and so did Maggie - I didn’t have theenergy to fight back. It just showed that experience is important, and bystaying patient, it definitely paid off.”

- Sunshine Ladies Tour

2023-03-10 18:48:04

2023-03-10 18:44:56

Coetzee hits thefront at Centurion Country Club

GeorgeCoetzee eased his way into a one-stroke lead in the Mediclinic Invitationalwith a composed 65 at Centurion Country Club on Friday.

Coetzeeheads the field on 20 under par, one stroke clear of Jake Redman who signed fora third round of 64 on Friday.

Stefan Wears-Taylor, Louis Albertse and RuanKorb are all currently tied for third on 17 under par.

Coetzeewas naturally delighted with his round of seven under - his second of the pastthree rounds - but for a different reason than just what it means for hisscore.

“I’vebeen trying to post a score of seven under every day like my team did lastSunday,” Coetzee said with a reference to his beloved Liverpool Football Cluband their 7-0 victory over Manchester United.

Hisscoring is also testament to just how comfortable he feels on this golf course.

“It’sbeen a good couple of days and I’m happy with the way things have gone. Ibasically grew up here, practised here and was coached here for many years. Iknow the course very well.”

Coetzeehas certainly made an art of returning home to local fairways on the SunshineTour and winning. Since 2014 there has only been one year - in 2017 - when hehas not won at least once on the Sunshine Tour.

“I’mquite fresh mentally and am trying to just stay in the moment this week. That’sall part of the psychology of the game and it’s something I’m always workingon. The golf feels solid but I’m not relying on anything specific. I’m justplodding along.”

As muchas he’ll be a favourite in the final round, Coetzee is taking nothing forgranted against a quality field behind him.

“Thereis nothing comfortable about leading tournaments. It’s a grind but it’sexciting. You don’t get this opportunity too often in the game and I’m excitedto learn and get better at trying to seal the deal.”

- Michael Vlismas

2023-03-09 19:11:40

Team Buhai soars at SA Women's Open

With her husband on the bag, as he was when she won thetitle in 2018, a relaxed Ashleigh Buhai posted a bogey-free seven-under-par 65on Thursday to stretch to a four-stroke lead at the halfway mark of theInvestec South African Women's Open Championship at Steenberg Golf Club.

The reigning AIG Women’s Open champion missed five of 14fairways, and hit 15 of 18 greens in regulation, but you wouldn’t have guessedit from the serene way she went about her work.

Of course, it helps when you’re putting sublimely, and,with just 26 putts for the second round in a row, once she hit the front, therewasn’t much doubt that she’d be in the lead going into the final two rounds ofthe tournament co-sanctioned by the Sunshine Ladies Tour and the LadiesEuropean Tour.

“It’s always good fun to have Dave on the bag,” Buhaisaid. “He caddied for me for eight years, no-one knows my game better otherthan my coach Doug Wood. It’s good when we can do these one-off weeks togetherevery now and then.”

In her first round, she made a bogey, and for her secondtrip around the course, she managed to minimise errors completely.

“It is always a good day when you have no bogeys, sothat’s first things first,” said Buhai, who is taking aim at what would be herfourth national open title.

“My front nine was a little bit of a slow start,and I got a bit unlucky on number five when I hit the flag and it ricochetedall the way back down the green. I stayed patient and then managed to finishbirdie-birdie on the front nine.

“The golf course is staying soft, so you can be a bitmore aggressive, but the pins were a little bit more tucked today. At the sametime, I had to be patient. I felt myself trying to push a little bit and thenon seven, I hit it left and I said to myself to just hit it to my spaces andthe birdies will come and that’s what I did on the back nine.”

In second place was the German teenager Chiara Noja, whofired a course-record 62 in the first round to top Buhai’s opening 64.

The16-year-old Noja, who already had a Ladies European Tour title behind her name,was only able to grind out a one-under-par 71 in the second round which shestarted in heavy early morning rain.

There were four players in a share of third on eight-under-par,including last year’s runner-up Magdalena Simmermacher from who out lost toLee-Anne Pace in an epic six-hole play-off.

The Argentinean had perhaps theround of the day with her five-under in the very challenging early morningconditions.

Spaniard Ana Pelaez Trivino, who also had a five-under,but much later in the day, Nastasia Nadaud from France, who signed for atwo-under 70; and Dutch golfer Romy Meekers, who also carded 70 share thirdwith Simmermacher.

Backing up Buhai’s efforts for South Africa were rookieKaleigh Telfer and Casandra Alexander.

Telfer was impressive with a bogey-free three-under-par69, and Alexander, who has won twice on the Sunshine Ladies Tour this season,overcame a bogey on the 10th with five birdies on her way to a 68.

They were onsix-under for the tournament in a share of sixth.

With the two South Africans were Johanna Gustavsson fromSweden, who had a 72, England’s Gabriella Cowley, who had a 69, and compatriotLily May Himphreys, who leads the Investec Order of Merit on the SunshineLadies Tour after her win in the Joburg Open last week.

Humphreys birdied thefinal hole for a round of 71.The cut to 60 and ties fell at level-par, leaving a fieldof 60 professionals and South Africa’s No 1-ranked amateur Kyra van Kan tobattle things out over the final 36 holes.

For Buhai, things look pretty rosy with a four-shot lead,but she knows that things can change in the blink of an eye.

“I’ll need to keepdoing what I’m doing,” she said. “I will stick to my process and stick to mysteps and try and stick to my thoughts that I have in my swing, that’s all Ican control and hopefully the outcome will be what we want.”

- Sunshine Tour

2023-03-09 18:53:44

Moolman in four-way tie for lead in Centurion

PieterMoolman continued his good form of the past few weeks and claimed a share of afour-way tie for the lead through 36 holes of the Mediclinic Invitational atCenturion Country Club on Thursday.

Moolmansigned for a 64 to join Ruan Korb (63), James Mack (64) and Ryan van Velzen(64) on 14 under par.

The quartet are one stroke clear of George Coetzee, witha group of five players further back on 11 under par including first-roundleader Jake Redman and Dylan Naidoo.

Moolman'sconsistency over the past few weeks has seen him finish 14th, ninth,third and 28th in his last four tournaments.

It's been the kind ofconsistency that has lifted him into eighth place on the European ChallengeTour’s Road to Mallorca Rankings, and which has suggested he isn't too far fromadding to his Fortress Invitational victory on the Sunshine Tour last year.

Moolman’s64 on Thursday was also a perfect case of the vagaries of golf where hisexceptional putting helped when his ball-striking was not what he would’veliked it to be.

“Idon’t feel like I’m hitting the ball as well as I’d like to, but I’m makingmore putts and that’s helping a lot. In this game, I believe if you are makingall of your putts inside 10 feet and are just an average ball striker, you arecapable of being in the top 30 in the world,” he said.

Theconsistency of his past performances is also not lost on Moolman.

“Ithink that’s all you want as a professional golfer, is to just have a chance.You just want to have that chance to be in contention and to win a tournament.I feel like I’ve been playing really well and my game is good enough that whenthe putts drop I can win. That’s all I’m trying to do - is to give myself a chanceto win every week I play. If I can combine how I putted today and how I struckthe ball at a tournament a few weeks ago, I’ll shoot great scores.”

Moolmansays he foresees the low scoring to continue over the final two rounds.

“I findthe golf course quite scoreable. If you look at the whole field the scoring isreally good.”

- Michael Vlismas

(Picture: Pieter Moolman - Gallo Images)

2023-03-08 20:46:38

Fast finish givesRedman the lead in Centurion

JakeRedman finished with an eagle and two birdies for a 64 that earned him aone-shot lead after the first round of the Sunshine Tour’s MediclinicInvitational at Centurion Country Club on Wednesday.

Redman’sopening round of eight under par put him one clear of the group of GeorgeCoetzee, Dylan Naidoo, Luke Brown, Trevor Fisher Jnr. and Keagan Thomas.

“It’sbeen a while since I’ve gone quite low and I’m very happy with the way thingswent,” said Redman, who certainly enjoyed the Centurion Country Club course.

“It’s anice estate golf course. There are one or two demanding tee shots, but youcan’t be too unhappy with the golf course shooting eight under par. I didn’thit myself into any trouble and kept the ball in play.”

Teeingoff the 10th, Redman admits the 64 caught even him by surprise as hecame through 15 holes on four under par.

“Itfelt like it came a bit out of nowhere. I didn’t make many putts over the first15 holes, which was frustrating. But I was also hitting it quite close. Then Icame to the last three holes and made a huge putt on the par-five seventh holefor eagle, a long putt for birdie on eight and then on in two for a birdie atthe last. All round, the game was solid and I’m happy with the way things wenttoday.

“It’sbeen frustrating not to shoot a really low round because I’ve put myself in agood position to do so before. So it was nice to get it done today. When I wasfour under through 15 I felt like I could’ve been eight or nine under thenalready. So it was nice to get that reward at the end of it.”

Withthree rounds still to go, Redman is not getting ahead of himself. But it is atimely point in the season to hit good form, with two big DP World Tourco-sanctioned tournaments to come this month in the SDC Championship and theJonsson Workwear Open.

“We’vegot some good opportunities to come over the next few weeks, but I’m taking itone step at a time.”

– Michael Vlismas

Scores:

64 - Jake Redman

65 - George Coetzee,Dylan Naidoo, Luke Brown, Trevor Fisher Jnr, Keagan Thomas

66 - Merrick Bremner,Pieter Moolman, Kyle Barker, Louis Albertse, Robin Williams, StefanWears-Taylor, Ryan Van Velzen, Jacques Blaauw, Jared Harvey, James Mack

67 - Coert Groenewald,Christiaan Burke, Wynand Dingle, Albert Venter, Ockie Strydom, CJ du Plessis,Sean Cronje, Ruan Korb, Rhys West, Gerrit Foster

68 - Christiaan Basson,Martin Rohwer, Yurav Premlall, Slenda Sithebe, Martin Vorster, Andre De Decker,Ulrich van den Berg, Rupert Kaminski, Jacquin Hess, Musiwalo Nethunzwi

69 - Keegan Mclachlan,Leon Vorster, Fredrik From, James Kamte, Luca Filippi, Jaco Van Zyl, KyleMcClatchie, Jacques P de Villiers, Therion Nel, Erhard Lambrechts, AneurinGounden, Pierre Pellegrin, Reinhardt Blaauw, Bradley Bawden, Combrinck Smit,Jake Roos, Samuel Simpson, Wade Jacobs

70 - Hayden Griffiths,Gerard du Plooy, Anton Karlsson, Keelan Africa, Gerhard Pepler, LindaniNdwandwe, Malcolm Mitchell, Richard Joubert, Siyanda Mwandla, Tristin Galant,Luke Jerling, Haydn Porteous, Michael Hollick, Callum Mowat, Clayton Mansfield,Steven Le Roux, Franklin Manchest, Allister de Kock, Dean O'Riley

71 - Dion Fourie, IrvinMazibuko, Chris Swanepoel, Philip Eriksson, Evance Vukeya, Heinrich Bruiners,Lyle Rowe, Jean Hugo, Hennie Otto, Thanda Mavundla, Nicholaus Frade, Andre VanDyk, DK Kim, Mark Maart, Sentanio Minnie, Anthony Michael, Hennie O'Kennedy,Steve Surry, Ruan Conradie, Keelan van Wyk, Jovan Rebula

72 - Harry Konig, RiekusNortje, Michael Palmer, Jean-Paul Strydom, Chris Cannon, John Bele, KaraboMokoena, Shalan Govender, Toto Thimba Jnr, Thabang Simon, Alex Haindl, DayneMoore, Paul Boshoff

73 - Omar Sandys,Clinton Grobler, Doug McGuigan, Sean Bradley, Matias Calderon, Matthew Spacey,Thabiso Ngcobo, Dan Erickson, Danie Van Niekerk, Makhetha Mazibuko, MadalitsoMuthiya, Henning du Plooy, Shaahid Mahmed, Mandla Dlamini Jnr, Maverick Faber,James Pennington

74 - Adam Breen, RickyHendler, Peter Karmis, Mike Maile, Ruan de Smidt, Clancy Waugh, Tumelo Molloyi,Vaughn van Deventer, Peetie van der Merwe, Jason Smith

75 - Stephen Ferreira,Joshua Seale, Adriel Poonan, Wallie Coetsee, Michael Kok

76 - Herman Loubser,Lincon Denzy Cele, Nikhil Rama, SP Mthethwa

77 - Quintin Wilsnach,Jastice Mashego, Ricco Motsa

78 - Alphius Kelapile,Dwayne Basson

79 - Sipho Bujela

81 - Brandon Moodley

82 - Mohammad RaufMandhu

83 - Boeta Nasie, Byronvan der Merwe, Brandon-Jude Rennie

84 - Lwazi Gqira, GerardMoodley

85 - Sandy Makume

2023-02-26 16:56:08

Dylan Mostert birdied the last to win the Nelson Mandela Bay Championship by a single stroke at Humewood Golf Club on Sunday, and earn his second Sunshine Tour title and his first on the European Challenge Tour.

Mostert stood over a three-metre birdie putt on the final green that he needed to separate himself from fellow South African Jaco Prinsloo, whose storming 62 had earned him the clubhouse lead on 15 under par.

And Mostert took the words of his sports psychologist to heart as he rolled in the putt for a final round of 67 and victory on 16 under par.

“We spent a lot of time talking before this tournament and the main message was for me to just stay calm. My mental game definitely got me through this week. That’s what won me the golf tournament,” said Mostert after a solid final round performance in gusting conditions.

“I was so relieved when I holed that birdie putt to win. It was a grind the whole week with the wind. The golf course was difficult for me. But once you taste victory like this you just want more of it. To be a two-time winner is a great achievement for me.

”Mostert will now continue his journey on the Challenge Tour as he chases a new goal of gaining a DP World Tour card.

“Winning is hard, and this is such a relief. The standard of golf on the Sunshine Tour and Challenge Tour is so good. All the golfers out here are hungry and want to win and move to the next level in their careers.

"I’m definitely going to play Challenge Tour events this year. Casey Jarvis and I will tour together, and the main goal is to get that DP World Tour card, so I’ll put my head down and go for that."

Ireland’s Ruaidhri McGee (64), Italy’s Lorenzo Scalise (68), Frenchman Tom Vaillant (71) and South African JJ Senekal (70) shared third place on 14 under par.

This was the final event of the four-tournament South African Swing between the Sunshine Tour and Challenge Tour, with Southern African golfers making a clean sweep.

Zimbabwean Benjamin Follett-Smith won the Bain’s Whisky Cape Town Open followed by South Africa’s Oliver Bekker winning the Dimension Data Pro-Am, JJ Senekal winning the SDC Open and now Mostert winning in Gqeberha. – Michael Vlismas

Scores:

272 - Dylan Mostert 68 68 69 67

273 - Jaco Prinsloo 66 70 75 62

274 - Ruaidhri McGee 66 74 70 64, Lorenzo Scalise 66 71 69 68, JJ Senekal 66 67 71 70, Tom Vaillant 66 64 73 71

275 - Jamie Rutherford 68 69 71 67, Clement Berardo 73 66 69 67

276 - Borja Virto 68 70 74 64, Wynand Dingle 69 69 69 69, Jeppe Kristian Andersen 72 68 67 69, Bradley Bawden 70 69 67 70, Brandon Stone 67 70 68 71, Dan Erickson 68 70 67 71, Josh Hilleard 68 71 66 71

277 - David Boote 71 69 70 67, Ashley Chesters 68 70 71 68, OJ Farrell 69 69 70 69, Hennie O'Kennedy 69 70 66 72

278 - Javier Sainz 66 71 76 65, Robin Petersson 71 68 73 66, Michael Stewart 70 70 72 66, Hennie Otto 70 70 70 68, Lyle Rowe 68 71 70 69, Casey Jarvis 66 73 70 69, Ugo Coussaud 65 74 69 70, Henric Sturehed 65 70 72 71

279 - Pieter Moolman 64 72 78 65, Marc Hammer 69 69 74 67, Keagan Thomas 72 67 73 67, Craig Howie 65 71 75 68, Stefan Wears-Taylor 67 73 71 68, Joel Sjoholm 70 69 71 69, Anton Karlsson 67 69 73 70, Ivan Cantero 69 71 69 70, Alex Haindl 70 67 69 73, Jared Harvey 70 68 68 73, James Hart du Preez 66 74 66 73

280 - Benjamin Rusch 66 73 74 67, Fredrik From 69 70 73 68, Ruan Conradie 68 69 74 69, Sam Bairstow 66 71 74 69, Daniel O'Loughlin 68 71 72 69, Christopher Mivis 68 72 69 71, Stuart Manley 70 66 72 72

281 - Rhys Enoch 69 70 74 68, Steven Brown 69 66 74 72, Jean Hugo 67 71 71 72, Trevor Fisher Jnr 66 74 69 72, Doug McGuigan 67 73 68 73

282 - Andrea Pavan 71 67 78 66, Victor Riu 69 70 77 66, Chris Paisley 69 71 74 68, Jbe' Kruger 67 71 74 70, Joel Girrbach 69 70 73 70, Jaco Van Zyl 72 68 72 70, Yan Wei Liu 67 72 71 72, Liam Johnston 67 71 71 73, Adam Blomme 63 70 74 75

283 - Manuel Elvira 66 72 77 68, Anthony Michael 65 75 73 70, Ryan Van Velzen 67 70 74 72

284 - Robin Williams 67 70 76 71285 - Adilson Da Silva 68 71 77 69, Jaco Ahlers 68 69 78 70, Lucas Vacarisas 68 72 75 70, Gary Boyd 70 68 72 75

286 - Alfie Plant 67 71 78 70, Luca Filippi 66 72 75 73289 - Martin Vorster 69 68 79 73

2023-02-25 23:00:38

A Vaillant effort to still lead in Humewood wind

The wind arrived at Humewood Golf Club on Saturday, and it shook up the Nelson Mandela Bay Championship leaderboard like a three-legged washing machine on full spin cycle.

Frenchman Tom Vaillant did well to hold on to his overnight lead with a fighting 73 for a total of 13-under par in third-round conditions which Humewood General Manager Brendon Timm described as "a day when the birds walk rather than fly".

"It felt like the wind was 100km/h in my head. I just tried to fight as much as possible. It was some of the toughest conditions I've ever played in. I just fought as hard as I could. In this wind you don’t have to try and make birdies. You're just trying to keep the ball safe," said the battle-weary Frenchman.

"The final round will just be me against the golf course and the conditions. It's my first year on tour and I know I can win. I'll try and do my best."

Vaillant's nearest challenger is South Africa’s JJ Senekal on 12-under par following his 71, and he's looking for back-to-back wins on this Sunshine Tour and European Challenge Tour South African Swing.

"The front nine played ridiculously hard. The first six holes are brutal straight into the wind. You're hitting driver and seven iron and driver and five iron into every hole there. It's a brutal start to the golf course in this wind. But I'm in a good spot one shot back," said Senekal.

And then South Africa's Hennie O'Kennedy, Brandon Stone and Dylan Mostert as well as Englishman Josh Hilleard and American Dan Erickson are lined up on 11 under.

"I think that's the best round of three under par I've ever shot in my life," said Mostert following his 69.

"On the 15th I had a putt that I'd read as a cup outside on the left, and I aimed a ball right because of the wind, and I still missed it on the left."

As tough as it was, the likes of O'Kennedy still made six consecutive birdies over the turn; Stone birdied three of his final four holes; Hilleard holed out for eagle on the par-four ninth and then added another eagle on the 11th; Senekal had an eagle and two birdies on a tough back nine; and Vaillant birdied two of his final four holes.

The Humewood locals were pleased. They'd come to see just how the Sunshine Tour's finest handle the wind that batters their regular league matches on this historic links.And they nodded their approval.

- Michael Vlismas

2023-02-24 21:55:21

Senekal chasing more glory at Humewood

SouthAfrica’s JJ Senekal is hunting back-to-back victories on the Sunshine Tour andEuropean Challenge Tour as he heads into the weekend of the Nelson Mandela BayChampionship just three strokes off the lead at Humewood Golf Club.

Senekalwon last week's SDC Open in wire-to-wire fashion and has carried that form toHumewood, with a second round of 67 on Friday lifting him to 11-under par andchasing the 14-under par lead held by Frenchman Tom Vaillant following his 64.

Swede Adam Blommé also came through 36 holes on 11-under following a 70 onFriday.

"I'mjust riding the momentum of last week," said Senekal as he looked forward toanother strong weekend of being in contention.

Afterhis victory last week Senekal took up membership of the Challenge Tour, andseeing his name in third place on their Road to Mallorca rankings has certainlyinspired him.

"That'swhen the victory kind of really sunk in for me. Now it's a case of putting myfoot on the gas and seeing if I can win three of them this season and get tothe DP World Tour, or end as high as I can to get that DP World Tour card," hesaid.

Friday'sstiff breeze had a few Humewood locals nodding their heads in approval, but thescoring was still impressive and Frenchman Vaillant set the clubhouse target of14 under with his 64 in the morning.

"I'mquite comfortable on a links course," said Vaillant. "My style of play is tojust hit my target and not be too aggressive, and that's what you have to do onlinks golf courses. It was great. I hit almost all of my targets and it helpedme to go low."

Senekalalso felt the sharper focus Friday's wind brought to his game.

"Iplayed solid and made a couple of long putts. It was tougher out there with thewind but I kept my composure pretty well after I made a double bogey on thepar-three sixth and then came back strong with an eagle and made my dayworthwhile at the end. The wind protects this golf course and you need the windfor it to play to its true potential. Today was a good show of that."

Andit's set him up for a tantalising weekend of possibly more success.

"Lastweek I was protecting a lead. This time I can go and chase it. On this golfcourse anything can happen quickly. Hopefully I can put another good roundtogether and then have a shot on Sunday."

- Michael Vlismas

2023-02-23 19:17:08

Blommé blossoms at windless Humewood with 63

Sweden’sAdam Blommé uses his words with the same precision as a scalpel as he describesthe course strategy that earned him a 63 and the first-round lead in the NelsonMandela Bay Championship at Humewood Golf Club on Thursday.

“Keep the ball inplay. Hit greens. Make putts. Nothing new," he said after the round.

Hisround of nine under par puts him one stroke clear of South Africa’s PieterMoolman, with the quartet of South African Anthony Michael, Frenchman UgoCoussaud, Scotland’s Craig Howie, England’s Jack Singh Brar and Swede HenricSturehed all well placed on seven under par in this Sunshine Tour and EuropeanChallenge Tour co-sanctioned tournament.

Andthen Blommé adds, “No links shots whatsoever today”.

That was the most tellingcomment on day one of this tournament on South Africa’s most historic linksgolf course. Blommé took full advantage of the ideal conditions and the lack ofwind to entrench his number one status on the Challenge Tour’s Road to Mallorcastandings, and confirm his good form coming into this event.

“Wewere lucky with the draw. There was no wind out there in the morning,” he saidon a day when one of his playing partners, Ireland’s Conor Purcell, remarkedthat it was hard to believe his own round of five under par was the worst scorein their group.

“Thiscourse is built for wind. We need the wind to pick up to make it challenging. Iwouldn’t mind a bit of wind to be honest,” said Moolman.

Thefirst round certainly rewarded the in-form golfers in what is the fourth andfinal event on the Sunshine Tour and Challenge Tour’s South African Swing.

Blomméhas finished second and tied seventh in his last two tournaments in SouthAfrica. Behind him, Moolman has finished no worse than 14th in hislast three tournaments. And in the group on seven under, Coussaud has finishedno worse than 13th in his previous three tournaments in SouthAfrica.

Whenyou consider that further back on six under par lies JJ Senekal, last week’sSDC Open champion, and Casey Jarvis, who has finished in the top-10 in his lasttwo tournaments, then it will take something to separate a group of golfers allplaying very well at present.

– Michael Vlismas

Scores:

63 - Adam Blomme

64 - Pieter Moolman

65 - Anthony Michael,Craig Howie, Ugo Coussaud, Jack Singh Brar, Henric Sturehed

66 - James Hart duPreez, Trevor Fisher Jnr, Casey Jarvis, JJ Senekal, Lorenzo Scalise, JavierSainz, Ruaidhri McGee, Tom Vaillant, Luca Filippi, Benjamin Rusch, ManuelElvira, Jaco Prinsloo, Sam Bairstow

67 - Jean Hugo, Yan WeiLiu, Liam Johnston, Niklas Regner, Alfie Plant, Brandon Stone, Conor Purcell,Kyle McClatchie, Benjamin Follett-Smith, Malcolm Mitchell, Robin Williams, RyanVan Velzen, Doug McGuigan, Jbe' Kruger, Stefan Wears-Taylor, Anton Karlsson,Gerard du Plooy

68 - Lyle Rowe, DanErickson, Lucas Vacarisas, Mathieu Decottignies-Lafon, Borja Virto, JamieRutherford, James Kamte, Combrinck Smit, Kyle Barker, James Allan, DanielO'Loughlin, Jaco Ahlers, Josh Hilleard, Jannik de Bruyn, Mikael Lundberg, DylanMostert, Christopher Mivis, Ruan Conradie, Elias Bertheussen, Adilson Da Silva,Eduard Rousaud, Ashley Chesters, Luke Brown, Tom Murray

69 - Joe Long, RuanKorb, Gregorio De Leo, Yurav Premlall, Jean-Paul Strydom, Steven Brown, IvanCantero Gutierrez, Dylan Naidoo, Chris Paisley, Jacques Blaauw, Martin Vorster,Victor Riu, Nikhil Rama, Erhard Lambrechts, Marc Hammer, Wynand Dingle,Frederik Birkelund, Rhys Enoch, Joel Girrbach, Velten Meyer, OJ Farrell, HennieO'Kennedy, Fredrik From

70 - Rupert Kaminski,Lars van Meijel, Christopher Feldborg, Paul Dunne, Gary Boyd, Danie VanNiekerk, Michael Palmer, Hennie Otto, Alex Haindl, Joel Sjoholm, WilcoNienaber, Stuart Manley, Michael Stewart, Jared Harvey, Michael Hirmer, StephenFerreira, Richard Joubert, Christiaan Burke, Bradley Bawden

71 - Tristen Strydom,Luke Jerling, Steven Tiley, Philip Eriksson, Heinrich Bruiners, Julien Sale,Andrea Pavan, Victor Pastor, Robin Petersson, Zander Lombard, David Boote,Oscar Lengden, Toby Tree, Louis Albertse, Rhys West

72 - Paul Boshoff,Callan Barrow, Siyanda Mwandla, Keith Horne, Emilio Cuartero Blanco, JeanBekirian, Adam Breen, Neil Schietekat, Matthew Spacey, Madalitso Muthiya, JacoVan Zyl, Victor Garcia Broto, Marco Penge, Keagan Thomas, Steven Le Roux,Oliver Lindell, Jeppe Kristian Andersen

73 - Clayton Mansfield,Antoine Pouguet, Felix Mory, Aneurin Gounden, Estiaan Conradie, Jacquin Hess,Haydn Porteous, Clement Berardo, Keenan Davidse

74 - Tumelo Molloyi,Jonathan Thomson, Pavan Sagoo, Joachim B. Hansen

75 - Ruan de Smidt,Sebastian Friedrichsen, Tristin Galant, Jacques P de Villiers

76 - Karabo Mokoena,Herman Loubser, Sean Bradley, Pierre Pineau

2023-02-19 18:58:48

Senekal enjoys wire-to-wire win in SDC Open

As JJSenekal drove to the Zebula golf course for Sunday’s final round of the SDCOpen, his new favourite playlist was on the car radio.

The volume was turned upto 21. That's when he decided to turn it up to 25 to match his desired targetof 25 under par to win this tournament.

A fewhours later, Senekal rolled in a birdie putt on the 18th to win thisSunshine Tour and European Challenge Tour tournament with a final round of 65and by four strokes. On 25 under par.

“It wasvery emotional. I put a lot of hard work into this, starting from the beginningof last year. It all comes down to hard work. This means the world to me. I wasknocking for quite a while now and this week was a good example of stayingpatient, playing good golf and knowing what to do and when to do it,” Senekalsaid after his wire-to-wire victory.

CaseyJarvis took second place on 21 under par with a closing 67, and the young SouthAfrican threw everything at Senekal during a thrilling back nine in which hechipped in for eagle on the 15th and then holed a huge birdie putton 16 to close to within one shot of Senekal with two holes to play.

But thepar-three 17th proved the differentiator as Senekal birdied the hole, and Jarvis made bogey after missing the green with his tee shot. That gaveSenekal a three-shot lead playing the 18th.

“KeepingCasey off my back was hard. Well done to him. He played an unbelievable roundof golf. He really chased me down on the back nine. He started firing over thelast few holes, but I did what I needed to and hit some good golf shots,” saidSenekal.

Buteven with a three-shot lead, Senekal delivered an incredible approach that lefthim with a two-foot putt for birdie on the 18th.

“It wasa big relief. I thought I’d hit it short, but once you see the ball next to thehole and you know you’ve got a three-shot lead and are tapping in for birdie,it’s all the pressure off your shoulders. It feels amazing. It’s been fiveyears since my last win. To finally get it done is a great feeling.”

Senekalalso won himself a 20-year Zebula Holiday Villa Share worth R320 000.

- Michael Vlismas

2023-02-18 22:26:19

Senekal stays in front at SDC Open despite putter woes

JJSenekal held on to his place at the top of the SDC Open leaderboard as heweathered a cold putter, intermittent rain and a few surges from his fellowprofessionals to place him two shots clear of the field going into Sunday’s finalround at Zebula Golf Estate and Spa.

Senekalsigned for a third round of 69 to lead on 18 under par. His nearest challengeris Casey Jarvis on 16 under following his round of 66.

Jaco Prinsloo and MartinVorster are both three shots off the lead after their rounds of 66 and 68respectively.

At14:00, play was stopped for a minute’s silence in remembrance of former DPWorld Tour Chief Referee, John Paramo, who passed away last Friday at the ageof 67.

Senekalhas led from day one of this tournament and been remarkably composed despitethe frustration of not always having his best putting game with him.

“Itwasn’t the best round of golf I’ve ever played. From tee to green it was prettygood, but 32 putts was frustrating. I hit good putts here and there but thereading wasn’t very good. I gave myself a lot of opportunities but the putterjust wasn’t working,” he said after a round of four birdies and one bogey.

“Iwas expecting people to charge and they did. Casey had a good round. But Imanaged to keep myself in it and I’ve got a shot tomorrow.”

Jarvisproduced another strong charge to be in contention once again this season.

After his eagle on the 15th he didn’t get the finish he wanted as hebogeyed two of his final three holes when the rain suddenly came down again.

“Iplayed really solid the whole day and I rolled in a lot of putts. The way I’mstriking the ball I feel really in control of my game at the moment. I’ve beenin this position before so hopefully I’ve learnt from the past. I’ve just gotto stay patient. In the past I’ve been a little rushed, but I’ve just got tostay patient out there,” he said as he looks forward to a possible maidenvictory on the Sunshine Tour.

Patiencewill certainly be the theme for the final group, with the more experiencedSenekal taking the same approach.

“Youjust have to stay in the moment. If you’re not nervous you’re not ready. Thereis obviously pressure but you have to keep it under control and not get aheadof yourself. I’m very excited to be in the final group again and I have a shotat the title. That’s always exciting.” – Michael Vlismas

2023-02-17 18:36:13

Senekal holds on to SDC Open lead

JJ Senekal retained his place at the top of the SDC Open leaderboard with a second round of 67 which earned him a four-stroke lead heading into the weekend at the Zebula Golf Estate and Spa.

Senekal leads the field on 15 under par, with fellow South African Martin Vorster his nearest challenger on 11 under par following a 69 on Friday. Casey Jarvis, Alfie Plant, Combrinck Smit, Estiaan Conradie and Victor Pastor are all lined up on 10 under par.

Senekal was two strokes clear after the first round thanks to his opening 62, and he had set himself a target of another low round on Friday.

“I had a target of eight under today, but I mean, five under is still a good round of golf around here,” he said.

He made another fast start with two birdies in his first three holes to suggest he may well post another low round. But the cooler weather and intermittent rain that moved over the course seemed to match the cooling of his putter.

“After that good start I really thought I could go low again today. But it died down after that and the putter went cold over the last 10 holes. I didn’t make a thing. I hit two close iron shots that gave me the opportunity for a birdie and eagle but that was it. I didn’t make anything inside 10 feet after that. I’m actually quite disappointed with the putting performance on the back nine, but I’m in a good position for the weekend.”

It was the opposite for his nearest challenger Vorster. The young star finds himself in contention for the second time on this Sunshine Tour and European Challenge Tour co-sanctioned stretch of events. He finished fourth in the Bain’s Whisky Cape Town Open two weeks ago, and this week he’s felt that his putter has kept him in the chase.

“I’m pretty happy considering how I hit the ball today. The swing has been a bit up and down and I haven’t been hitting the ball as well as the last few weeks. But my short game has been the best it has been so I feel comfortable around the greens. The putter was great and I made a few good putts for pars.”

– Michael Vlismas

Scores:

129 - JJ Senekal 62 67

133 - Martin Vorster 64 69

134 - Casey Jarvis 68 66, Alfie Plant 67 67, Combrinck Smit 69 65, Estiaan Conradie 67 67, Victor Pastor 65 69

135 - Tom Murray 68 67, Victor Garcia Broto 65 70, Herman Loubser 65 70, Bradley Bawden 69 66, Jaco Prinsloo 68 67

136 - Lorenzo Scalise 67 69, Craig Howie 69 67, Ugo Coussaud 68 68, Clement Berardo 68 68

137 - Luke Brown 71 66, Adam Blomme 69 68, Oliver Lindell 70 67, Keagan Thomas 70 67, Mikael Lundberg 68 69, Pieter Moolman 70 67, Francesco Laporta 71 66, Mathieu Decottignies-Lafon 68 69, Malcolm Mitchell 72 65, Ashley Chesters 68 69, Pierre Pineau 68 69, Marco Penge 68 69, Manuel Elvira 69 68, Jamie Rutherford 68 69

138 - Kyle McClatchie 72 66, Stuart Manley 67 71, Louis Albertse 71 67, Hennie O'Kennedy 69 69, Ruan Korb 71 67, Niklas Regner 70 68, Jacques P de Villiers 71 67, Matteo Manassero 68 70, Jacques Kruyswijk 69 69, Tristen Strydom 71 67, Danie Van Niekerk 67 71, Borja Virto 70 68

139 - Christopher Feldborg Nielsen 69 70, OJ Farrell 70 69, Benjamin Rusch 72 67, Jonathan Thomson 69 70, Nicolai Kristensen 70 69, Felix Mory 72 67, Jeppe Kristian Andersen 70 69, Luca Filippi 71 68, Lucas Vacarisas 70 69, Javier Sainz 70 69, Brandon Stone 71 68, Steven Brown 71 68, Joel Sjoholm 69 70, Christopher Mivis 70 69

140 - Liam Johnston 72 68, Anton Karlsson 72 68, Henric Sturehed 70 70, Chris Paisley 68 72, Alvaro Quiros 67 73, Velten Meyer 70 70, Benjamin Follett-Smith 70 70, CJ du Plessis 74 66, Ryan Van Velzen 73 67, James Allan 69 71, Gregorio De Leo 70 70, Alex Haindl 70 70

2023-02-16 18:39:59

Senekal’s ‘FullSwing’ at 62 to lead SDC Open

BeforeThursday’s first round of the SDC Open at the Zebula Golf Estate and Spa, JJSenekal watched an episode of the new Netflix golf documentary, “Full Swing”.

In it Major champion Brooks Koepka verbalised exactly what Senekal felt as hewent on to open with a 10-under-par 62 and lead this tournament.

“Koepkaspoke about how within the first couple of holes of your round you know if it’son or not. That’s what happened to me over the first five holes today. I knewit was on,” said Senekal as he played his way to seven birdies, two eagles andone bogey for a two-stroke lead over fellow South African Martin Vorster.

Herman Loubser is also well-placed three shots off the lead.

Senekal’sfirst five holes certainly gave him confirmation of a good day coming as heteed off the 10th and played them in three under par. Then came aneagle on the par-five 15th and a birdie on the par-four 16ththat was impressive enough to even get a few wildebeest to lift their headsfrom their grazing.

“It wasa hot start. I felt I needed that eagle on 15 if I wanted to get alow round going. Then I eagled my 11th hole (the par-five second)and I knew I was in for a good round.”

A lapsein concentration and the wrong club selection led to a bogey on his 12thhole, but three birdies coming home quickly sorted that out. Senekalhas been waiting for this round amidst a season of remarkable consistency thathas been highlighted by a sixth-place finish in November’s Joburg Open and then14th in the recent Bain’s Whisky Cape Town Open and sixth in lastweek’s Dimension Data Pro-Am.

It cameon Thursday on a golf course he’s always loved since he made his amateur debutfor South Africa here 16 years ago in a Test against England, playing againstthe same Ashley Chesters who was his professional playing partner on Thursday.

“I’vebeen knocking on the door for quite a while. With the results I’ve had in thepast four months I knew there was a low round in there somewhere, and here sheis.”

Senekalfinished seventh in last year’s SDC Open and clearly enjoys this bushveldlayout.

“I like tree-lined golf courses because of the targeting it gives you.You have to be straight off the tee here and I think I got that right. You haveto keep it in play here and it’s soft enough at the moment where you can fireat flags. You just need to stay patient and there are a lot of birdies outthere.”

– Michael Vlismas

Scores:

62 - JJ Senekal

64 - Martin Vorster

65 - Victor GarciaBroto, Herman Loubser, Victor Pastor

67 - Alvaro Quiros,Hennie Otto, Danie Van Niekerk, Stuart Manley, Jack Singh Brar, Michael Palmer,Lorenzo Scalise, Alfie Plant, Estiaan Conradie, Yan Wei Liu, Daniel O'Loughlin

68 - Koen Kouwenaar,Ashley Chesters, Jaco Prinsloo, Pierre Pineau, Chris Paisley, Matteo Manassero,Marco Penge, Ugo Coussaud, Clement Berardo, Jamie Rutherford, Tom Murray, CaseyJarvis, Rhys Enoch, Mikael Lundberg, Dylan Naidoo, Mathieu Decottignies-Lafon

69 - Bradley Bawden,Jacques Kruyswijk, Ruan Conradie, Joel Sjoholm, Manuel Elvira, Joe Long, TrevorFisher Jnr, James Allan, Frederik Birkelund, Adam Blomme, Heinrich Bruiners,Christopher Feldborg Nielsen, Jonathan Thomson, Craig Howie, Toby Tree, HennieO'Kennedy, Combrinck Smit, Fredrik From, Gerard du Plooy, Thabang Simon

70 - Lucas Vacarisas,Elias Bertheussen, Benjamin Poke, Javier Sainz, Henric Sturehed, Velten Meyer,Oscar Lengden, Benjamin Follett-Smith, Jared Harvey, Luke Jerling, Gregorio DeLeo, Christopher Mivis, Borja Virto, Alex Haindl, Sam Bairstow, Oliver Lindell,Keagan Thomas, OJ Farrell, Nicolai Kristensen, Pieter Moolman, Niklas Regner,Jeppe Kristian Andersen

71 - Dean O'Riley, Divanvan den Heever, Jacques P de Villiers, Philip Eriksson, Nikhil Rama, ClancyWaugh, Steven Tiley, Lars van Meijel, Oliver Farr, Tristen Strydom, AndreaPavan, Brandon Stone, Steven Brown, Conor Purcell, James Kamte, ErhardLambrechts, Luke Brown, Louis Albertse, David Drysdale, Francesco Laporta,Robin Petersson, Tom Vaillant, Ruan Korb, Luca Filippi, Samuel Simpson

72 - Toto Thimba Jnr,Rupert Kaminski, Dylan Mostert, Merrick Bremner, Victor Riu, Sean Bradley, WadeJacobs, Kyle McClatchie, Gary Boyd, Eduard Rousaud, Benjamin Rusch, LiamJohnston, Felix Mory, James Hart du Preez, Malcolm Mitchell, Anton Karlsson,Richard Joubert

73 - Keenan Davidse,Joachim B. Hansen, Anthony Michael, Ryan Van Velzen, Chris Swanepoel, MatthewSpacey, Sebastian Friedrichsen, Derek Ackerman, Michael Stewart, David Boote,Ivan Cantero Gutierrez, Emilio Cuartero Blanco, Jaco Van Zyl, Doug McGuigan,Madalitso Muthiya, Jannik de Bruyn

74 - Chris Cannon,Musiwalo Nethunzwi, Pavan Sagoo, Dan Erickson, Lucas Bjerregaard, CJ duPlessis, Marc Hammer, Wynand Dingle, Shaahid Mahmed, Jacques Blaauw, KyleBarker, Ruaidhri McGee, Martin Rohwer

75 - Lyle Rowe, StephenFerreira, Joel Girrbach

76 - StefanWears-Taylor, Jean Hugo, Jastice Mashego, Keelan Africa

77 - Andre De Decker

79 - Franklin Manchest,Kristoffer Reitan

84 - Callan Barrow

2023-02-12 19:02:51

2023-02-12 18:54:06

Bekker wins second Dimension Data Pro-Am title

OliverBekker claimed his second Dimension Data Pro-Am title in a dominant display atFancourt on Sunday as he won by four shots in front of his home crowd.

Bekkertook a five-shot lead into the final round and closed with a measured 68 on theMontagu course to win on 22 under par overall. Sweden’s Adam Blomme took secondplace on 18 under par with a final round of 66.

Bekkerfirst won this title in 2012 and is now only the third player since thetournament’s inception in 1996 to win the Dimension Data Pro-Am twice, joiningNick Price (1997 and 1998) and Darren Fichardt (2004 and 2010).

“Whenyou start with such a big lead it’s almost a relief that you didn’t waste it.It’s amazing to be here in front of my family and friends. It’s not often youplay a golf tournament and you’ve got a hundred people following you and youknow almost all of them. I’m just elated,” said Bekker.

Onanother magnificent day on the Garden Route, Bekker parred his way through thefirst seven holes before his first birdie of the final round on the par-threeeighth hole. He added four more birdies on the back nine, and could afford asingle bogey, to put himself well and truly beyond reach.

HennieO’Kennedy came storming through the field with a bogey-free round of 65 tofinish on 16 under par, and Frenchman Ugo Coussaud tried to make a contest ofit with a sublime 63 to finish on 14 under. But Bekker had done more thanenough to keep himself beyond any serious challenge.

“I didwatch the scoreboard quite a bit and played rather safe. I didn’t try to be tooaggressive and make any unforced errors. The course was there for the takingtoday, but I didn’t want to disappoint anybody and still go out there and puttogether a good final round.”

Scores:

267 - OliverBekker 67 68 64 68

271 - Adam Blomme 6667 72 66

273 - HennieO'Kennedy 72 65 71 65, Chris Paisley 71 70 66 66

274 - BrandonStone 69 68 70 67

275 - UgoCoussaud 72 69 71 63, JJ Senekal 67 73 68 67, Conor Purcell 7066 71 68

276 - YuravPremlall 72 71 68 65, Alvaro Quiros 67 71 70 68, PieterMoolman 73 67 68 68, Casey Jarvis 64 76 69 67, Wilco Nienaber 7068 69 69

277 - FredericLacroix 70 72 67 68, Louis Albertse 70 69 68 70, Adam Breen 6768 72 70, Craig Howie 69 70 68 70, Jean Hugo 66 74 67 70

278 - Lars vanMeijel 70 75 67 66, Rhys Enoch 70 71 70 67, Kyle Barker 69 66 7271, Tom Murray 71 66 69 72

279 - JoelSjoholm 73 68 69 69, Ruaidhri McGee 66 73 70 70, Javier Sainz 6968 72 70, Garrick Porteous 72 66 71 70, Felix Mory 70 71 68 70

280 - ClementBerardo 71 70 70 69, Michael Palmer 71 73 66 70, NicolaiKristensen 74 68 67 71, Renato Paratore 72 68 70 70, JoelGirrbach 73 65 68 74, Manuel Elvira 69 66 70 75

- Michael Vlismas Media.

(Photo by Warren Little/Getty Images)

2023-02-11 20:25:37

Oliver hungry for more Dimension Data Pro-Am glory

OliverBekker has clearly felt comfortable in his hometown this week and is lookingvery much at home at the top of the leaderboard as he takes a five-stroke leadinto Sunday’s final round of the Dimension Data Pro-Am at Fancourt.

A 64 onthe Outeniqua course on Saturday lifted Bekker to 18 under par overall and ontrack to add to his 2012 victory in this Sunshine Tour and European ChallengeTour event.

TheSouth African’s nearest challenger is countryman Luke Jerling on 13 under parfollowing his 71 on the Montagu course.

Bekker,now a DP World Tour campaigner, decided to return to the Sunshine Tour thisweek to enjoy the privilege of playing a tournament where he can sleep in hisown bed and have his family with him.

“Youdon’t get to do that too often. It’s great to have that family time, and I alsohave a lot of local support here. It’s a special event for me,” said Bekker.

Bekkertook full advantage of another perfect day in George and an Outeniqua golfcourse that is the most forgiving of the three courses here at Fancourt usedfor this tournament.

“Outeniquais a very scoreable golf course and it was nice to do just that. I played welland it was nice to hole a few putts on the back nine. I gave myself a lot ofopportunities. All in all it was a very good day. I knew my golf was good andthat if I could get a few putts in today I would get a low one.”

Bekkerwas most pleased with being able to make his move on the weekend after he’dworked his way into a competitive position over the first two rounds.

“I feellike my game has been moving this way. In the last few weeks I’ve been makinggood starts and then over the weekend I’ve let it slip, so it’s nice to producea good round on the Saturday and move in the right direction. I’ve alwaysenjoyed playing Fancourt and I always fancy myself to do well in this event.”

- Michael Vlismas

2023-02-10 19:29:53

Hard work pays offfor Jerling at Fancourt

SouthAfrica’s Luke Jerling put in a hard session on the range on the eve of thisweek’s Dimension Data Pro-Am at Fancourt and it has paid off as he heads intothe weekend tied for the lead in this Sunshine Tour and European Challenge Tourco-sanctioned tournament.

Jerlingsigned for a 68 on The Links on Friday to move to the top of the leaderboard on12 under par overall.

Over on the Montagu golf course, Sweden’s Adam Blommecarded a 67 to also end the day on 12 under. They are two strokes clear ofSouth Africans Oliver Bekker and Adam Breen. Bekker carded a 68 on the Montaguwhile Breen added a 68 on The Links.

The tournament rotates between Fancourt’sthree golf courses of The Links, Montagu and Outeniqua. Aftermissing the cut in last week’s Bain’s Whisky Cape Town Open, Jerling did somesoul-searching on the range at Fancourt on Wednesday and said something in hisgame clicked right there.

“I wason the range until late trying to figure out what went wrong the previous week.I had a chat with my coach as well, and I went into Thursday’s first roundfeeling good and I’m just riding the wave. It’s great to be at the top of theleaderboard,” he said.

Eventhe two bogeys he made early on the back nine didn’t trouble him as heresponded with five birdies on that nine – three of them in his last fourholes.

“I hitit well off the tee and my iron play was good. I’ve found something in myputting this week, so with good iron play I’ve been giving myself chances andnot putting myself under any pressure. The two bogeys I made on the back ninewere just because I took a few gambles off the tee and hit it into fairwaybunkers. But I bounced back nicely and recovered with birdies thereafter tokeep the momentum going.”

Jerlingknows better than anybody that a good day on The Links is not to be takenlightly.

“I’mvery pleased. The weather was great but The Links is always still a tough test.The greens were running fast and it’s always a tricky course. I’ve seen thegood and the bad of The Links and you can never be disappointed with a 68 onthis course.”

Over onthe Montagu course, Swede Blomme was equally pleased with his performanceconsidering he hasn’t played too much competitive golf while recovering frominjury.

“I’vebeen really good off the tee this week and that’s been the difference for me.It’s been nice not to have to chip out all the time and actually have the ballin play. There were also a lot of opportunities if you just went for the middleof the green because the pins were tucked away. But this place is unbelievable.I love the golf courses here. I’m in a good space,” he said.

Scores:

133 - LukeJerling 65 68, Adam Blomme 66 67

135 - Adam Breen 6768, Oliver Bekker 67 68135 - ManuelElvira 69 66, Conor Purcell 70 66, Kyle Barker 69 66

137 - HennieO'Kennedy 72 65, Javier Sainz 69 68, James Kamte 69 67, BrandonStone 69 68

137 - Tom Murray 7166, Joel Girrbach 73 65, Oliver Farr 68 69, Wilco Nienaber 7068, Ryan Van Velzen 70 67

138 - AlvaroQuiros 67 71, Jacques Blaauw 68 71, Hennie Otto 69 70, LouisAlbertse 70 69, Craig Howie 69 70, Garrick Porteous 72 66

139 - ShaunNorris 71 68, JJ Senekal 67 73, Casey Jarvis 64 76, JeanHugo 66 74, Ruaidhri McGee 66 73, Emilio Cuartero Blanco 71 68,Callum Mowat 68 71, Henric Sturehed 70 69, James Hart duPreez 74 66

141 - UgoCoussaud 72 69, Renato Paratore 72 68, Pieter Moolman 73 67, JCRitchie 69 71, Borja Virto 73 68, Clement Berardo 71 70, ClancyWaugh 66 75, Joel Sjoholm 73 68, Mateusz Gradecki 70 70, AlejandroCanizares 68 73, Fredrik From 70 70, Lorenzo Scalise 68 73,Dylan Naidoo 68 73, Rhys Enoch 70 71142 - Rourke van derSpuy 76 66, Nicolai Kristensen 74 68, Benjamin Rusch 71 71,Gerard du Plooy 68 74, Andrea Pavan 68 74, Frederic Lacroix 7072, Martin Rohwer 71 70, Yan Wei Liu 72 70, Christiaan Burke 7170, Felix Mory 70 71, Keenan Davidse 74 68, Chris Paisley 71 70

- Michael Vlismas

2023-02-09 17:50:55

CaseyJarvis took full advantage of a picture perfect day at Fancourt and a forgivingOuteniqua golf course, and signed for a 64 to lead the first round of theDimension Data Pro-Am on Thursday.

Jarvis’sround of eight under par earned him a one-stroke lead over fellow South AfricanLuke Jerling and Sweden’s Adam Blomme in this Sunshine Tour and EuropeanChallenge Tour co-sanctioned tournament.

And he also leads in the team eventwith his amateur partner and Executive Director of the Sunshine Tour, SelwynNathan, on 11 under.

Jerling’sthree-putt at the last on the Outeniqua cost him a share of the lead. Blommeshot his round of seven under par on The Links, traditionally the mostchallenging of the three Fancourt courses used in rotation for this tournament.

But on the opening day the Montagu course also proved quite a test with onlyone score from here – Ruaidhri McGee’s 66 – making it into the top five on theleaderboard.

JeanHugo, who has finished second here before, and Oliver Bekker are bothwell-placed on six under par.

Jarviswas delighted with a performance that reinforces the hard work he’s been doingto give himself chances on tour. Towards the end of last year he finishedsecond in the South African PGA Championship, and then made a strong run at thelead in the Joburg Open on his way to finishing ninth.

“Beforethe end of last year I saw a friend of mine and he helped me with my swing justbefore the big tournaments, and I started hitting the ball really well. Therewere a few times when I put myself in some good positions in those events. Ijust want to keep putting myself there and keep learning. I’m learning moreevery time I’m out here and gaining experience,” said Jarvis.

Jarvisdidn’t hold back on day one as he went out determined to take advantage of theOuteniqua layout.

“I wasaggressive from the beginning. I knew I was hitting the ball well and incontrol of my irons. I didn’t really miss many iron shots today. I played reallywell right from the start. I hit the ball solid all day. In my practice roundsI worked especially hard on my putting and it paid off today. I rolled in a lotof putts. I’m just really pleased with my performance.

“It’snice starting the tournament on the Outeniqua course and putting in a good lowscore that sets me up for the more challenging courses over the next few days.”

Jarvis’sperformance had former Kaizer Chiefs and Bafana Bafana star Jimmy Tau in awe ashe was given a front-row seat as one of the VIP amateurs competing alongsidethe pros this week.

“Youjust stand there and admire them. I was in awe every time the pros hit theirshots. Their work ethic and the way they conduct themselves is so professional.As a social golfer you think you understand what it takes to play at this leveluntil you get out there with them, and you see it takes a lot to be a pro.”

–Michael Vlismas

Scores:

64 - Casey Jarvis

66 - Adam Blomme, LukeJerling

66 - Ruaidhri McGee,Clancy Waugh, Jean Hugo, Oliver Bekker

68 - Gerard du Plooy,Steven Brown, JJ Senekal, Jacques Kruyswijk, Dylan Naidoo, Merrick Bremner,Adam Breen, Alvaro Quiros

68 - Jacques Blaauw,Oliver Farr, Callum Mowat, Stuart Manley, Andrea Pavan, Alejandro Canizares,Brandon Stone, Thomas Aiken, Lorenzo Scalise, Pierre Pineau

69 - James Kamte, LouisAlbertse, Hennie Otto, Martin Vorster, Frederic Lacroix, Derek Ackerman, LyleRowe, Kyle Barker, Alfie Plant, Wilco Nienaber, Sam Bairstow, Craig Howie, RhysEnoch, Luca Filippi, Manuel Elvira, Javier Sainz, JC Ritchie, Conor Purcell

71 - Oliver Lindell,Lars van Meijel, Anton Karlsson, Mateusz Gradecki, Anthony Michael, KeithHorne, Henric Sturehed, Rupert Kaminski, Fredrik From, Ryan Van Velzen, EuanWalker, Felix Mory, Divan van den Heever, Michael Palmer, Pavan Sagoo, Jaco VanZyl, Benjamin Rusch

71 - Heinrich Bruiners,Clement Berardo, Sean Bradley, Emilio Cuartero Blanco, Benjamin Follett-Smith,Martin Rohwer, Toby Tree, Keagan Thomas, Yan Wei Liu, Ivan Cantero Gutierrez,Christiaan Burke, Jonathan Thomson, Chris Paisley, Mikael Lundberg, MatteoManassero, Christopher Feldborg Nielsen, Ugo Coussaud, Tom Murray, ShaunNorris, Steven Tiley

73 - Combrinck Smit,Benjamin Poke, Max Schmitt, Yurav Premlall, Nikhil Rama, Marco Penge,Christopher Mivis, Callan Barrow, Garrick Porteous, Marc Hammer, Jean-PaulStrydom, Alan McLean, Renato Paratore, Niklas Regner, Hennie O'Kennedy, TrevorFisher Jnr, Joel Girrbach, Malcolm Mitchell, Victor Rufian

73 - Joel Sjoholm, LucasVacarisas, Daniel O'Loughlin, Liam Johnston, Stephen Ferreira, James Hart duPreez, Keenan Davidse, Dylan Mostert, Dan Erickson, Joachim B. Hansen, EliasBertheussen, Pieter Moolman, Darren Fichardt, Nicolai Kristensen, FrancescoLaporta, Borja Virto, Ricardo Gouveia, Jovan Rebula, Franklin Manchest

75 - OJ Farrell, SiyandaMwandla, Adriel Poonan, Makhetha Mazibuko, Ashley Chesters, Luke Brown, DavidBoote, Velten Meyer, Tristen Strydom, Herman Loubser, Jamie Rutherford

76 - Jacquin Hess,Lorenzo Gagli, Toto Thimba Jnr, Wynand Dingle, Philip Eriksson, Jeppe KristianAndersen, Ruan Korb, Rourke van der Spuy

76 - Lindani Ndwandwe,Robert Foley, CJ du Plessis, Ruan Conradie, Estiaan Conradie, Koen Kouwenaar,Gregorio De Leo, Jaco Prinsloo, Oscar Lengden, Alex Haindl

77 - Robin Petersson,Stefan Wears-Taylor, Kyle McClatchie

78 - Gary Boyd, ChrisWood

80 - Sean Cronje

81 - Kristoffer Reitan

81 - Aneurin Gounden,Lucas Bjerregaard

2023-02-05 21:16:42

Zimbabwe’s Benjamin Follett-Smith became only the second player to win two Cape Town Open titles when he claimed a one-stroke victory at Royal Cape Golf Club on Sunday.

In windy conditions and with a group of players vying for the lead coming down the back nine, Follett-Smith closed with a 70 to win on 15 under par and add to his 2019 victory in this tournament.

He joins JC Ritchie as the only two-time winners of this tournament.

"I’m so happy to be a two-time winner on the Sunshine Tour. I think the second time you win is when you really prove yourself. Cape Town is such a special place and I love coming back to this golf course. I feel very at home here,” said Follett-Smith, who also claimed his second Sunshine Tour title and his first on the European Challenge Tour, who co-sanction this tournament.

Follett-Smith went into Sunday’s final round tied for the lead with Darren Fichardt.

At one stage he was locked in a battle with five players who were tied for the lead on 14 under par on the back nine. Follett-Smith broke free of that group with his birdie on the 14th for a one-stroke lead on 15 under par.

On the par-four 17th, he flew the green with his approach and was in danger of slipping back into a four-way tie for the lead.

But the Zimbabwean produced a touch of magic with his incredible up-and-down for par to retain a lead he carried through to victory.

"That up-and-down on 17 was the key to the win. I thought I’d hit the second shot perfectly but the wind combined with adrenalin took it over the green. I’m glad the wind picked up in the final round, though, because that’s where I’m good. When there were so many players vying for the lead, my caddie just said to let the guys run and fight each other and we just do what we normally do. I’m just so grateful to have won,” he said.

The gratitude stems from the the hard work Follett-Smith has put in over the past two years to get to this point.

“The last two years were a big learning curve for me. It’s been difficult and I’m just so happy to have won again. It’s been a lot of hard work. I came out on tour and was Rookie of the Year and won in my first year, and everything was kind of simple. But I’ve figured out you just need to keep working hard every week. I’ve been confident in the work I’ve been doing and what my game is capable of.”

Ugo Coussaud and Jaco van Zyl shared second place on 14 under par. – Michael Vlismas

2023-02-04 19:09:34

Fichardt and Follett-Smith chasing glory in Cape Town

Darren Fichardt and Benajmin Follett-Smith share the lead going into Sunday's final round of the Cape Town Open at Royal Cape Golf Club, and each with a strong desire to turn the lessons of last year into an early victory in 2023.

Fichardt's 62 in beautiful weather on Saturday equalled the course record of Andrew Georgiou, but with placing in effect.

Northern Ireland's Tom McKibbin also shot 62 in this tournament last year, and also with placing.

It was a magnificent round in which Fichardt was seven under through his first seven holes as he went out in 29, and it lifted the veteran campaigner to 13 under par overall.

He was later joined there by Follett-Smith, the 2019 champion in this tournament, who signed for a 67 on Saturday.

They are one stroke clear of Dylan Mostert, who carded a third-round 68, while Manuel Elvira and Jaco van Zyl ended the day on 11 under par.

Fichardt was delighted with a performance that he feels accurately reflects just how comfortable he feels with his game at present.

"I started with three consecutive birdies and I just carried that momentum and was in the zone. Then after the two birdies and an eagle, I just felt like, 'Here we go'. I had that tunnel vision. The swing was good and I knew if I was within 15 feet of the hole on the green, I was putting well enough to have a chance. I just felt very comfortable and just let it happen," he said, giving himself the perfect start to a year in which he has high hopes for his game.

"I had a very long year last year. I played 34 events out in Europe and travelled a lot and midway through the year I was burning out. But I learnt a lot about myself. I almost like to call it Summer Camp because I fixed a lot of areas of my game where I was struggling. I took a long break now in December and just carried that technique over to this year with a fresher mind. It's pretty exciting. I'm looking forward to what lies ahead."

Follett-Smith has been on a similar search for improvement and is looking forward to testing himself as part of the final group on Sunday.

"I'm very pleased with the way I played today. There was no wind so it was easier to attack the flags, and then I putted really well. I was trying to figure out why Darren was looking so cheerful on the eighth hole and then I found out he was seven under par through seven holes. I think that realisation pushed us all along. The better everyone is playing, the better you have to play. I like this golf course. You just need to have a good short game here and usually, that's where I'm strong," he said.

- Michael Vlismas

2023-02-03 19:26:05

Jacovan Zyl heads into the weekend of the Bain’s Whisky Cape Town Open with aone-stroke lead and a feeling he’s looking forward to building on over the nexttwo rounds at Royal Cape Golf Club.

“It’sthe first time in years where I’m really happy with all 14 clubs in my bag,”said Van Zyl, who lost in a four-man playoff for the inaugural Bain’s WhiskyCape Town Open title in 2012.

Van Zylput together a composed and bogey-free 65 to take the lead on nine under par inthis Sunshine Tour and European Challenge Tour co-sanctioned tournament onFriday.

He isone stroke clear of 2019 Bain’s Whisky Cape Town Open champion BenjaminFollett-Smith who signed for a second round of 68, the in-form Dylan Mostertwho also put together a bogey-free 65 in Friday’s windy conditions, andEngland’s Ashley Chesters who carded a 67.

It’sbeen a tough climb for Van Zyl, a 16-time winner on the Sunshine Tour who haswon three South African PGA Championship titles and also represented SouthAfrica at the Olympic Games but who through a range of injuries has struggledto regain that form.

His winin last September’s Gary and Vivienne Player Challenge ended a six-year windrought on the Sunshine Tour.

“I’vebeen struggling for so long and I just had to try and build my self-confidenceand self-belief. I’ve been playing really nicely for a while now and a roundlike this definitely helps that process,” he said.

Whatalso helps is a Royal Cape course that plays to his strengths.

“Thisgolf course really suits me. You don’t need to hit it miles off the tee and youneed to think your way around here. It’s the oldest golf course in the countryand it’s right up my alley. It’s just one of those great golf courses. Youdon’t have much into the greens but it still makes you think. Even if you hityour approach to 15 feet, if it’s in the wrong spot on the greens there are noguarantees.”

Withplenty of experience to draw on, Van Zyl is well aware his job is only halfwaydone.

“It’salways nice to be in this position. We’re only halfway now but it’s nice tohave the lead.”

– Michael Vlismas

Scores:

135 - Jaco VanZyl 70 65

136 - BenjaminFollett-Smith 68 68, Dylan Mostert 71 65, Ashley Chesters 69 67

138 - BorjaVirto 73 65, Bradley Bawden 67 71, Manuel Elvira 66 72

139 - MartinVorster 70 69, Velten Meyer 68 71, Daniel O'Loughlin 70 69, IvanCantero Gutierrez 71 68, Tom Murray 69 70, Derek Ackerman 70 69,JJ Senekal 70 69

140 - AlbertVenter 70 70, Hennie O'Kennedy 71 69, Jamie Rutherford 70 70,Hennie Otto 70 70, Sam Bairstow 71 69, Alfie Plant 68 72,Brandon Stone 68 72, Pieter Moolman 70 70

141 - LouisAlbertse 73 68, Conor Purcell 68 73, Luca Filippi 74 67, JamesHart du Preez 71 70, Lyle Rowe 72 69, Steve Surry 71 70,Madalitso Muthiya 70 71, David Drysdale 71 70, DarrenFichardt 70 71

142 - JacoPrinsloo 70 72, Jacques Blaauw 74 68, Niklas Regner 71 71, Larsvan Meijel 70 72, Jared Harvey 67 75, Alvaro Quiros 72 70, OJFarrell 70 72, Mathieu Decottignies-Lafon 69 73, Felix Mory 7072, Javier Sainz 69 73

143 - Benjamin Rusch 7667, Jacques P de Villiers 73 70, Stefan Wears-Taylor 70 73, CaseyJarvis 73 70, Euan Walker 72 71, Matteo Manassero 73 70, GreggUpton 71 72, Victor Rufian 68 75, Ugo Coussaud 69 74, DylanNaidoo 72 71, Andrea Pavan 72 71, Francesco Laporta 71 72,Jayden Schaper 72 71, Mateusz Gradecki 71 72, David Boote 69 74

144 - ErhardLambrechts 76 68, Mikael Lundberg 72 72, Joel Girrbach 74 70,Herman Loubser 75 69, Renato Paratore 73 71, Marco Penge 74 70,Chris Paisley 72 72, CJ du Plessis 74 70, Clement Berardo 74 70,Craig Howie 76 68, Clancy Waugh 68 76, Ruaidhri McGee 72 72,Wilco Nienaber 70 74, Victor Riu 68 76, Lorenzo Gagli 72 72,Joel Sjoholm 71 73, Anton Karlsson 74 70, Jonathan Thomson 7074, Yurav Premlall 69 75, Nikhil Rama 70 74

2023-02-02 20:19:00

Harvey leads SA challenge in Cape Town

A rarechange of equipment benefitted South Africa’s Jared Harvey as he opened with afive-under-par 67 that placed him one stroke off the lead of Spain’s ManuelElvira after Thursday’s first round of the Bain’s Whisky Cape Town Open atRoyal Cape Golf Club.

Harveywas delighted with a bogey-free start to this Sunshine Tour and EuropeanChallenge Tour co-sanctioned tournament following a round that started in calmconditions and finished in a stiff breeze.

“Therewas no breeze when we teed off early this morning, but it definitely picked upas the round went on and it was tricky at a stage. I also changed clubsrecently which was a big thing for me. I’m not much of a changer. So to have nobogeys does give me confidence,” said Harvey.

At thetop of the leaderboard, Elvira also took advantage of the calmer morningconditions and produced a bogey-free 66 which he closed off with threeconsecutive birdies over the final three holes.

“It’salways nice to start the season with a low round. It’s completely differentgolf here now in South Africa compared with Spain in the winter. I’ve come fromfour or five degrees Celsius to 25 degrees. But I’ve always liked playing inthe heat because you don’t have to wear layers of clothes. It’s a bigadjustment but it’s nice,” he said.

England’sBradley Bawden joined Harvey with a round of 67. Former Bain’s Whisky Cape TownOpen champions Brandon Stone and Benjamin Follett-Smith both started well withrounds of four-under-par 68, while another pair of former champions in RhysEnoch and Jacques Kruyswijk are five strokes off the lead.

It wascertainly a case of the morning field having a distinct advantage. But asHarvey explained, it was also a surprise to tee off at a windstill Royal Cape.

“Whenyou tee off so early and it’s calm, it’s almost a shock to the system. It canbe tough because you’re so used to playing in the breeze here and playing thosepunch shots. So I felt like I needed to take advantage early on.

“Whenthe wind picked up, there were a couple of tough flags tucked behind cornersand downwind, and I just felt they really weren’t flags to go for. I juststayed within myself and kept telling myself that it’s not a bad thing to playfor the middle of the green and keep the round together. I managed my game reallywell. On the holes where I could attack, I did. I feel like the course suits mewith the demand on accuracy off the tee.”

Theopening day was also a rewarding one for England’s Alfie Plant who scored thefirst hole-in-one of this year’s tournament on the par-three 13th onhis way to a four-under-par 68.

– Michael Vlismas

Scores:

66 - Manuel Elvira

67 - Bradley Bawden, Jared Harvey

68 - Clancy Waugh, Victor Rufian, Victor Riu,Alfie Plant, Brandon Stone, Benjamin Follett-Smith, Conor Purcell, Velten Meyer

69 - Ugo Coussaud, Tom Murray, AshleyChesters, Mathieu Decottignies-Lafon, Martin Rohwer, David Boote, YuravPremlall, Javier Sainz

70 - Daniel O'Loughlin, Lars van Meijel, WilcoNienaber, Derek Ackerman, OJ Farrell, Darren Fichardt, JJ Senekal, JonathanThomson, Felix Mory, Pieter Moolman, Rupert Kaminski, Pavan Sagoo, Nikhil Rama,Albert Venter, Martin Vorster, Stefan Wears-Taylor, Jaco Van Zyl, PierrePineau, Jaco Prinsloo, Jamie Rutherford, Hennie Otto, Madalitso Muthiya, GreggUpton

71 - Sam Bairstow, Oliver Farr, Rhys Enoch,Ivan Cantero Gutierrez, Benjamin Poke, David Drysdale, Francesco Laporta, JoelSjoholm, Mateusz Gradecki, Elias Bertheussen, Eduard Rousaud, Yan Wei Liu,Dylan Mostert, Jacques Kruyswijk, James Hart du Preez, Hennie O'Kennedy, SteveSurry, Stephen Ferreira, Niklas Regner

72 - Doug McGuigan, Ruaidhri McGee, DylanNaidoo, Andrea Pavan, Sean Bradley, Lorenzo Gagli, Keagan Thomas, JaydenSchaper, Alvaro Quiros, Philip Eriksson, Rhys West, Dwayne Basson, SiyandaMwandla, Mikael Lundberg, Euan Walker, Lyle Rowe, Nicolai Kristensen, ChrisPaisley

73 - Rourke van der Spuy, Jaco Ahlers, TristenStrydom, Ryan Van Velzen, Victor Garcia Broto, Michael Palmer, AlejandroCanizares, Jovan Rebula, Jacques P de Villiers, Louis Albertse, MalcolmMitchell, Casey Jarvis, Kyle Barker, Renato Paratore, Toby Tree, Ruan Korb,Henric Sturehed, Matteo Manassero, Borja Virto

74 - Dan Erickson, Toto Thimba Jnr, NeilSchietekat, Anton Karlsson, Jake Roos, Joe Long, Matthew Spacey, Chris Cannon,Luca Filippi, Joel Girrbach, Jean Hugo, Max Schmitt, Marco Penge, AnthonyMichael, Jacques Blaauw, Keith Horne, MJ Viljoen, Ricardo Gouveia, CJ duPlessis, Clement Berardo

75 - Heinrich Bruiners, Stuart Manley, HermanLoubser, Emilio Cuartero Blanco, Estiaan Conradie, Trevor Fisher Jnr,Christopher Mivis, James Kamte

76 - Merrick Bremner, Callan Barrow,Kristoffer Reitan, Benjamin Rusch, Erhard Lambrechts, Robin Petersson, AlexHaindl, Luke Jerling, Luke Brown, Jake Redman, Keenan Davidse, Lorenzo Scalise,Christopher Feldborg Nielsen, Craig Howie

77 - Gerard du Plooy, Andre Van Dyk, MarcHammer, Robin Roussel, Oscar Lengden, Keelan van Wyk, Adam Blomme

78 - Lucas Vacarisas, Chris Wood, RuanConradie, Gary Boyd

79 - Oliver Lindell, Wynand Dingle

80 - Combrinck Smit

81 - Danie Van Niekerk, Steven Tiley

2023-02-01 18:59:24

Stone targeting Cape Town glory as Sunshine Tour year tees off

Brandon Stone is relishing his return to the Mother City as he prepares to tee it up in this week's Cape Town Open.

Royal Cape Golf Club will stage the first of four consecutive co-sanctioned events with the Challenge Tour and will mark the beginning of the 2023 Road to Mallorca season and the race for the Sunshine Tour's Order of Merit.

Stone, a four-time DP World Tour winner, earned his maiden professional victory at the 2015 edition of the event and tees it up this week alongside six other past champions, including ten-time Sunshine Tour winner Jaco Ahlers.

"I can't wait to get going this week. It's always a reward being able to play back in South Africa and I really enjoy coming down to Cape Town with some beautiful sunshine," said Stone.

"I got my first professional win here in 2015 and I always enjoy this event. Cape Town is an amazing place and we're very fortunate to have a tournament here this week because it's a world-class city and there's so much to do."

The 29-year-old claimed his third DP World Tour title at the 2018 Scottish Open after an emphatic final round of 60, and Stone believes he is not far away from reaching those heights again.

"I've had a break and been able to reset mentally which is nice," he said. "Since the New Year, I've been working hard with my coach and my game feels ready to compete again.

"I feel like I'm getting back to my best after a tough two years and hopefully, I can bring that confidence into my golf game."

Stone joins a strong field in Cape Town this week, which includes 2016 Ryder Cup player Chris Wood and former Challenge Tour Number Ones Francesco Laporta, Ricardo Gouveia and Andrea Pavan.

The Cape Town Open will get under way at 06:45 local time on Thursday.

2022-12-18 17:59:56

Frenchman Antoine Rozner claimed his third DP World Tour title with a record five-stroke victory in the AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open at Mont Choisy Le Golf on Sunday.

Rozner took a two-stroke lead into the final round and closed with a 67 on another windy day on the island to win on 19 under par and with the biggest margin of victory in the six editions of this Sunshine Tour and DP World Tour event.

“It’s unbelievable. I couldn’t dream of a better way to finish the year. It’s amazing. It felt like playing at home to be honest. The crowds here were amazing. It was an unbelievable week,” said Rozner, who in 2019 lost a playoff for this title.

Spain’s Alfredo Garcia-Heredia took second place on 14 under par with a final round of 67, while fellow Frenchman Julien Brun finished third on 12 under par following a closing 72.

Rozner withstood an early challenge from Garcia-Heredia who birdied three of his first five holes to close to within a shot of the Frenchman, who made only one birdie through the same stretch. But when Rozner made eagle on the par-five seventh, and then birdied the eighth and ninth holes to earn himself a five-stroke lead at the turn, it was effectively over as a contest. He bogeyed the 17th but finished with a birdie on 18.

“I played solid all week. My first nine holes was one of my best nines ever. To play that front nine, the harder nine, in five under made a massive difference. I didn’t know the scores and I just tried to stay focused in the moment. I started missing a few shots here and there coming but I had a big enough lead to get it done,” he said.

“Winning is very hard, so this is huge. It tests your mind and your game and I was very emotional at the end. We work so hard for this and to get it done is amazing.”

Scores:269 - Antoine Rozner 70 64 68 67

274 - Alfredo Garcia-Heredia 68 66 73 67

276 - Julien Brun 69 68 67 72

277 - Jeong Weon Ko 67 71 70 69, Dylan Mostert 69 71 68 69, Simon Forsstrom 71 69 67 70

278 - Ricardo Gouveia 69 69 71 69, Oliver Bekker 64 71 70 73

279 - Niklas Norgaard Moller 72 67 71 69, Jayden Schaper 68 72 67 72

280 - Brandon Stone 71 72 67 70, Sami Valimaki 62 72 72 74, Pierre Pineau 65 71 70 74

281 - Matthew Southgate 69 70 75 67, Gary Hurley 72 68 71 70, Julien Guerrier 69 75 67 70

282 - Alejandro Canizares 71 71 75 65, Pedro Figueiredo 71 72 70 69

283 - Marcel Siem 73 69 73 68

284 - Ross Mcgowan 74 68 73 69, Louis de Jager 71 71 73 69, Marco Penge 73 70 68 73, Christoffer Bring 67 69 73 75

285 - Jens Fahrbring 69 75 73 68, Jens Dantorp 71 71 74 69, Bryce Easton 72 69 70 74

286 - Craig Howie 70 71 76 69, Alexander Knappe 70 72 73 71, Anthony Michael 75 69 69 73, Nathan Kimsey 75 69 69 73, Oihan Guillamoundeguy 72 66 73 75

287 - Dan Erickson 68 75 74 70, Ian Snyman 71 73 72 71, Matthieu Pavon 73 69 73 72, Jeremy Freiburghaus 71 72 71 73, Stephen Ferreira 70 68 75 74, JC Ritchie 66 72 75 74, Sean Bradley 73 69 70 75

- Michael Vlismas

2022-12-17 17:23:13

FrenchmanAntoine Rozner will take a two-stroke lead into Sunday's final round of the Mauritius Open at battling his way through a tough third round atMont Choisy Le Golf.

Playingin a three-club wind, Rozner overcame a bogey-bogey start and fought his wayback to a very respectable 68 and the tournament lead on 14 under par.

"Yeah,it was tough out there. It was blowing a lot more than the previous days. Thelong game was tough and the putting was even worse so I struggled," saidRozner, who in 2019 lost this title in playoff and is back as a two-time DPWorld Tour winner and also chasing a place in the European Ryder Cup team.

"I hada big birdie putt on the fourth that helped me a lot. It helped me to get theround going. I was very solid after that. I feel like I missed a lot ofopportunities but I still shot four under. In these conditions that was prettygood. Now we have one more round to go."

Hisnearest challenger is fellow Frenchman Julien Brun, who posted a 67 and wasequally delighted with his performance on a very challenging day.

"I'mvery pleased with my patience out there because I struggled at the start. Itwas crazy tricky out there. Downwind your pitching wedge flies and you stillhave to assess the bounce on the greens, and these greens have big slopes onthem. And then into the wind it was at least a three-club wind. It was toughmentally," he said.

SouthAfrica's Oliver Bekker is in third place on 11 under par following a thirdround of 70, and a maiden DP World Tour victory on Sunday would be a tremendousreward for a golfer who has certainly paid his dues globally this year insecuring himself a card.

"Iplayed pretty solid. I didn't make too many mistakes and I'm feeling good aboutthe final round. This is the kind of golf course where you can make quite a fewbirdies. If you can get off to a good start and put the guys under pressureyou’re in with a good chance.

"We've seen 62s and 64s here this week so even ifit’s windy you can still get a good score out there. It’s going to be nice tobe a few back and be able to play a bit more aggressive, and see how it pansout."

- Michael Vlismas

2022-12-17 15:42:56

Leading third round scores in the Mauritius Open at Mont Choisy Le Golf, Grand Baie on Saturday (RSA unless stated, Par 72):

202 - Antoine Rozner (FRA) 70-64-68

204 - Julien Brun (FRA) 69-68-67

205 - Oliver Bekker 64-71-70

206 - Sami Valimaki (FIN) 62-72-72, Pierre Pineau (FRA) 65-71-70

207 - Jayden Schaper 68-72-67, Simon Forsstroem (SWE) 71-69-67, Alfredo Garcia-Heredia (ESP) 68-66-73

208 - Dylan Mostert 69-71-68, Jeong-Weon Ko (FRA) 67-71-70

209 - Christoffer Bring (DEN) 67-69-73, Ricardo Gouveia (POR) 69-69-71

210 - Brandon Stone 71-72-67, Niklas Noergaard Moeller (DEN) 72-67-71

211 - Julien Guerrier (FRA) 69-75-67, Bryce Easton 72-69-70, Gary Hurley (IRL) 72-68-71, Marco Penge (ENG) 73-70-68, Oihan Guillamoundeguy (FRA) 72-66-73

212 - Jaco Prinsloo 74-68-70, Thomas Aiken 71-70-71, Sean Bradley 73-69-70, Ugo Coussaud (FRA) 70-73-69

2022-12-17 06:47:10

Rozner shares Mauritius Open lead as SA's Bekker lurks

Frenchman Antoine Rozner joined a three-way tie for the lead going into the weekend of the Mauritius Open as he seeks to claim a title that he was denied in a playoff the last time it was played in 2019.

On a windy day that brought out a completely different side to the Mont Choisy Le Golf course, Rozner signed for a sublime 64 to share the lead with Finland's Sami Välimäki and Spain's Alfredo Garcia-Heredia on 10 under par.

Välimäki, who set the course record with a 62 in the first round, was frustrated with his second-round 72, while Garcia-Heredia posted a solid 66 to join the leaders.

They are all one stroke clear of South Africa's Oliver Bekker, who carded a 71 on Friday. Rozner was understandably delighted with his performance on a very tricky day.

"I think this is one of the first times in my career where I am happy with every single score on every hole. That doesn't happen a lot. I don't think I could score any better on this golf course today," said the man who in 2019 lost in a playoff to Rasmus Højgaard but who returns as a vastly different golfer with two DP World Tour victories since then.

"It was tricky and tough out there, so I'm really pleased with the way I played. I always missed on the right side and my chipping was great as well. It was tough, especially with the side winds. You had to aim so far right and left with those winds. My putting was also very solid. I'm happy with everything."

Mauritius certainly suits Rozner and he's relishing how the island enhances his game.

"I like this place. Once you're off the course, you completely disconnect and cannot think about golf. That suits me well."

Välimäki didn't get what he was hoping for from his second round and felt his putter was to blame.

"It was pretty bad really. We made four easy mistakes and couldn't make any putts. I just didn't make putts and had bad chips. I'm still playing good golf, but I just need to make those birdies," he said.

Garcia-Heredia was thrilled to share the lead as he looks to match the big-game fishing success he's had on the island by hooking a trophy as well this week.

"I am loving the fishing in Mauritius. The fishing always relaxes me. I've caught sea trout, barracuda, a 40kg tuna, kingfish and a few others. Now I have to play some golf. But I enjoyed it a lot out there. It was fun."

- Michael Vlismas

Leading second round scores in the DP World Tour (European Tour) Mauritius Open at Mont Choisy Le Golf, Grand Baie on Friday (RSA unless stated, Par 72):

134 - Sami Valimaki (FIN) 62-72, Antoine Rozner (FRA) 70-64, Alfredo Garcia-Heredia (ESP) 68-66

135 - Oliver Bekker 64-71

136 - Casey Jarvis 69-67, Christoffer Bring (DEN) 67-69, Pierre Pineau (FRA) 65-71

137 - Julien Brun (FRA) 69-68

138 - J. C. Ritchie 66-72, Stephen Ferreira (POR) 70-68, Ko Jeong-weon (FRA) 67-71, Ricardo Gouveia (POR) 69-69, Oihan Guillamoundeguy (FRA) 72-66

2022-12-15 17:56:51

Finland’s Sami Välimäki produced a masterful putting display on his way to a bogey-free course-record 10-under-par 62 and a two-stroke lead in Thursday’s first round of the AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open at Mont Choisy Le Golf.

On a day of intermittent rain but not much wind, Välimäki bettered the previous course record of 64 set by South Africa’s Jayden Schaper. South Africa’s Oliver Bekker is his nearest challenger following an equally impressive round of eight-under-par 64, while Frenchman Pierre Pineau had set the morning target with his seven-under-par 65.

“It was a really nice round. I putted very well and made long putts which I haven’t made in the last few weeks. It was nice to get it rolling like I did today,” said Välimäki, who finished second in the recent Joburg Open.

Välimäki and Bekker played together and it was an exhibition of great golf between the two professionals. “

Oliver played great as well so we kept making putts and enjoying the day. I feel like I found a rhythm and speed for these greens and that was the key for the day. The heat wasn’t bad today as well because of the rain. I’ll just keep grinding and hitting good shots to give myself opportunities.”

Bekker was certainly impressed by what he saw in his playing partner’s game.

“It was unbelievable golf. I think we certainly pulled each other along. It was good fun out there. We were quite relaxed even during the rain. Sami is obviously playing some great golf and hopefully in the second round we can keep pushing each other.”

Bekker has always enjoyed Mauritius and this tournament.

“I generally play well here. I’ve played every AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open and I’ve had several top-10 finishes. I feel comfortable playing here and it showed again today.”

Scores:

62 - Sami Valimaki

64 - Oliver Bekker

65 - Pierre Pineau

66 - JC Ritchie

67 - Niklas Lemke, Christoffer Bring, Jeong Weon Ko

68 - Alejandro Del Rey, Jayden Schaper, Dan Erickson, Thomas Detry, Alfredo Garcia-Heredia, Bradley Bawden

69 - Ockie Strydom, Albert Venter, Jens Fahrbring, Casey Jarvis, Lyle Rowe, Martin Rohwer, Matthew Southgate, Ryan Van Velzen, Ricardo Gouveia, Dylan Mostert, Julien Brun, Julien Guerrier

70 - John Murphy, Heinrich Bruiners, Tom McKibbin, Craig Howie, Santiago Tarrio, Laurie Canter, Antoine Rozner, Ugo Coussaud, Todd Clements, David Ravetto, Stephen Ferreira, Thomas Bjorn, Alexander Knappe

71 - Manuel Elvira, Gary Stal, Simon Forsstrom, Dean Burmester, Ian Snyman, Thomas Aiken, Pedro Figueiredo, Jeremy Freiburghaus, Jacques P de Villiers, Richard Sterne, Louis de Jager, Divan van den Heever, Brandon Stone, Alejandro Canizares, Jens Dantorp, Ruan Korb

72 - Gary Hurley, Sam Hutsby, Neil Schietekat, Peter Karmis, Luke Brown, Bryce Easton, Andre De Decker, Michael Kok, Martin Vorster, Vishnoo Seenevassen, Mikael Lindberg, Kyle Barker, Keagan Thomas, Keenan Davidse, Oihan Guillamoundeguy, Makhetha Mazibuko, Anton Karlsson, Grant Forrest, Joshua Lee, Deon Germishuys, Jaco Van Zyl, Jordan Duminy, Niklas Norgaard Moller, Nikhil Rama

73 - Hennie Otto, Renato Paratore, Rupert Kaminski, Kyle McClatchie, Joel Stalter, Matthieu Pavon, Marcel Siem, Henric Sturehed, Adilson Da Silva, Luca Filippi, Keith Horne, Sean Bradley, Luke Harries, OJ Farrell, Lucas Bjerregaard, Christiaan Burke, Harry Konig, Nicolas Colsaerts, Matias Calderon, Marco Penge, Filippo Celli, Jordan Gumberg

74 - Malcolm Mitchell, Jean-Paul Strydom, Aldrich Potgieter, Pieter Moolman, Danie Van Niekerk, Graeme Storm, Quintin Wilsnach, Luke Jerling, Dylan Naidoo, Wynand Dingle, Herman Loubser, Ross Mcgowan, Yan Wei Liu, Jaco Prinsloo, Javier Sainz, Rhys West

75 - Anthony Michael, Louis Albertse, Jake Redman, Nathan Kimsey, Tristen Strydom, Pavan Sagoo, Angel Hidalgo, Rhys Enoch, Toto Thimba Jnr, Ashley Chesters, Pierre Pellegrin

76 - Mateusz Gradecki, Gerard du Plooy, Jbe' Kruger, Stefan Wears-Taylor, John Axelsen, Philip Eriksson, Ricardo Santos, Merrick Bremner, Velten Meyer, Estiaan Conradie, Michael Palmer, Keelan van Wyk

77 - Hugo Esposito, Ryo Hisatsune, Kristoffer Reitan, Steve Surry, James Hart du Preez, Adam Breen

78 - Gudmundur Kristjansson, CJ du Plessis, JJ Senekal, Henry Sheridan-Mills

79 - Ruan Conradie, Freddy Schott, Brooklin Bailey, Elias Bertheussen80 - Emilio Cuartero Blanco, Benjamin Rusch, MJ Viljoen

- Michael Vlismas

2022-12-08 19:42:27

Dean Burmester was so inspired by witnessing his first rhino dehorning project that he produced a round of seven-under-par 65 with as many birdies as he could muster to contribute to anti-poaching efforts and lead the first day of the Alfred Dunhill Championship at Leopard Creek on Thursday.

Burmester and a number of other professionals support a campaign called Birdies4Rhinos whereby they donate money for every birdie they make in the season to rhino conversation. And it was his experience of the dehorning earlier this week that inspired him to produce one of his best back nines ever at Leopard Creek on Thursday.

“What a back nine. Some of the best golf I’ve played in a while. A back nine to remember that’s for sure,” he said as he came home with six birdies to take the lead.

“Earlier this week we went on a rhino dehorning project in the neighbouring Kruger National Park and it was quite an emotional experience. The thought of that came to me after the turn and I just wanted to make as many birdies as I could do keep supporting that cause,” he said.

Burmester leads by one over Lukas Nemecz who did his scoring in the calmer morning conditions, and started his round with three straight birdies.

“That makes life a lot easier,” he said.

Former champion Branden Grace is one of five golfers just two shots off the lead.

Burmester is certainly relishing being back in South Africa after a year of travel on both the DP World Tour and PGA Tour. And he’s particular enjoying being back in the bush this week.

“We had a lovely game drive with the family this morning and saw lion and leopard on the way out. That put me in a great mood. We rushed back, I had a quick change and was delighted to hear that we could play in shorts because of the heat, had a bite to eat and then got myself ready and that mood carried into the day. It was probably one of the most fun rounds of golf I’ve had in a while. I hope I can keep enjoying myself. We know this golf course can bite you but America has paid dividends. I’ve played a lot on Bermuda grass this year and that has helped me a lot this week.”

Grace was very happy with his start to a tournament he won in 2014 by a commanding seven shots.

“It’s always nice to come back to South Africa and play golf courses like this, which is one of the best. It’s nice to see how the changes have now settled in here. There is no rough this week so that’s different but the greens will firm up as the week goes on, that’s for sure. This course will show its teeth over the next few days so let’s not get ahead of ourselves.”

Scores:

65 - Dean Burmester66 - Lukas Nemecz

67 - Branden Grace, Jaco Ahlers, David Ravetto, Deon Germishuys, Darren Fichardt

68 - Ockie Strydom, Laurie Canter, Alexander Knappe, Scott Jamieson, Tobias Eden, Kristian Krogh Johannessen, Louis Albertse, Tom McKibbin, Wilco Nienaber

69 - Jayden Schaper, Dale Whitnell, Todd Clements, Eddie Pepperell, Oliver Bekker, Joost Luiten, Jorge Campillo, Santiago Tarrio, MJ Daffue, Erik van Rooyen, Thriston Lawrence, Bryce Easton, Ashun Wu, Alejandro Canizares

70 - JJ Senekal, Wynand Dingle, Nathan Kimsey, Christiaan Bezuidenhout, Ernie Els, Dylan Mostert, Jovan Rebula, Jens Fahrbring, Niklas Norgaard Moller, Jaco Prinsloo, Neil Schietekat, Luke Jerling, Dylan Frittelli, James Hart du Preez, Adrian Otaegui, Louis Oosthuizen, Aaron Cockerill, Scott Vincent, Jean Hugo, Keagan Thomas

71 - Gudmundur Kristjansson, Jbe' Kruger, Darius van Driel, Christiaan Maas, Antoine Rozner, Ryo Hisatsune, Ross Fisher, Richard Sterne, Daniel Brown, Joshua Lee, Angel Hidalgo, Shaun Norris, Marcel Siem, Matthew Southgate, Wil Besseling, Adam Breen

72 - Gunner Wiebe, Anthony Michael, Hennie du Plessis, Mateusz Gradecki, Justin Walters, Combrinck Smit, Lyle Rowe, Nick Bachem, Grant Forrest, Kyle De Beer, Rourke van der Spuy, Clement Sordet, Daniel van Tonder, Jeong Weon Ko, CJ du Plessis, JC Ritchie, Jens Dantorp, Matthew Baldwin, Martin Simonsen

73 - Rupert Kaminski, Herman Loubser, George Coetzee, Jacques Blaauw, Edoardo Molinari, Aldrich Potgieter, Philip Eriksson, Gary Hurley, Robin Sciot-Siegrist, Matthew Spacey, Nikhil Rama, Sam Hutsby, Joachim B. Hansen, Tristen Strydom, James Morrison, Jacquin Hess, Makhetha Mazibuko

74 - Keenan Davidse, Dan Bradbury, Stephen Ferreira, Chase Hanna, Estiaan Conradie, Jake Redman, Toto Thimba Jnr, Charl Schwartzel, Sean Crocker, Pedro Figueiredo, Sami Valimaki, Alejandro Del Rey

75 - Jeremy Freiburghaus, Dylan Naidoo, Martin Rohwer, John Murphy, Yurav Premlall, Michael Palmer, MJ Viljoen, Christoffer Bring, John Axelsen, Louis de Jager, Divan van den Heever

76 - Gerard du Plooy, Keith Horne, Zander Lombard, Matthieu Pavon, Pieter Moolman, Jean-Paul Strydom, Gary Stal, Mikael Lindberg

77 - Brandon Stone, Simon Forsstrom, Joel Stalter

78 - Thabang Simon, Marc Warren, Merrick Bremner, Albert Venter

79 - Anton Karlsson, Casey Jarvis, Marcus Armitage, Jaco Van Zyl, Ruan Korb, Brooklin Bailey, Ruan Conradie

80 - Thomas Aiken

81 - Daan Huizing

82 - Freddy Schott, Luke Brown

83 - Henning du Plooy

84 - Jastice Mashego

85 - Alex Haindl

88 - Harvey Young

RTD - Heinrich Bruiners

- Michael Vlismas

2022-12-04 18:56:52South African golfer Thriston Lawrence clinched a nervy win to claim the Investec South African Open Championship at Blair Atholl.Read report2022-12-03 19:58:07

Lawrence inches closer to stunning Investec SA Open glory

South African golfer Thriston Lawrence is on the cusp on a remarkable Investec South African Open victory after maintaining his lead following round three at Blair Atholl Golf and Equestrian Estate on Saturday.

Overnight leader Lawrence carded 5-under 67 to lead by two shots ahead of Sunday's final round.

Lawrence, who won twice in his rookie season on the DP World Tour, is looking for his third and is on the verge of clinching his national Open title.

"It's our country's Open and I'm playing good golf. I'm enjoying it. We had a good crowd out there and I have most of my family here," said Lawrence.

"It's been fun... The putting has definitely been key. It was good fun out there."

Lawrence's nearest challenger is Frenchman Clement Sordet on 16-under, with Swede Jens Fahrbring in third place on 12-under.

GolfRSA amateur Christiaan Maas leads the race for the Freddie Tait Cup.

Maas was right in the hunt at the start of the third round at only three shots off the lead at nine-under.

- Lynn Butler

*News24 is in Blair Atholl courtesy of Investec

2022-12-02 18:40:39

Lawrence extends lead in weather-affected Investec SA Open

South African golfer Thriston Lawrence extended his lead at the Investec South African Open at Blair Atholl Golf and Equestrian Estate on Friday.

Lawrence, who teed off early on Friday morning, carded a five-under 67 to extend his lead to two shots and sit comfortably on 13-under.

"It was a life-changing last year, there's a lot less pressure with a win under your belt," said Lawrence.

"It was loads of fun out there today, I made a few long putts, otherwise, it was just copy-and-paste of what I have been doing all along – hitting fairways and trying to hit the greens."

Lawrence won DP World Tour's Rookie of the Year this season after his maiden 2021 Joburg Open win and sealing the European Masters title.

"It's better going off in the morning because of the softer, smoother greens early on, but then the ball flies a bit further in the afternoon," said Lawrence.

"I have comfortable with both early and late tee-offs. My putter is working unbelievably well, all credit to my father. I also hit the ball well and I took my chances."

Chasing Lawrence is fellow South African Ockie Strydom, who posted a superb nine-under 63 to sit on 11-under.

"Ockie had an unbelievable round, he made a good few birdies. He said this morning that I must break my course record and now he has done it," said Lawrence.

"It's going to be lekker playing together in the third round and hopefully, a South African can win this tournament."

19-year-old Christiaan Maas shot a seven-under 65 second round that put him on 10-under-par and three shots from Lawrence.

"This is the biggest and most prestigious tournament in our country and the one that every South African golfer dreams of winning," Maas said.

"I am really excited that I am in the mix for the Freddie Tait Cup, especially after missing the cut in my first two starts at Sun City. But to be honest, the SA Open is one that I really want to win.

"It's the biggest honour as a South African to win your national Open, so hopefully, I can get off to a good start again on Saturday and continue playing like I did today."

The second round was suspended for just over two hours because of dangerous weather.

The second round will resume at 7am on Saturday, with the third round not scheduled to start before 10:15am.

- Lynn Butler

*News24 is at Blair Atholl courtesy of Investec

2022-12-01 19:36:30

A putting tip from his father helped Thriston Lawrence equal his own course record and lead the first round of the Investec South African Open at Blair Atholl Golf and Equestrian Estate on Thursday.

The South African matched the eight-under-par 64 he shot here in a Sunshine Tour event over a year ago for a one-stroke lead over England’s Ross Fisher and Swede Jens Fahrbring.

“I’m quite familiar with this golf course. I played nicely and managed to drop a few putts thanks to a tip from my father,” said Lawrence.

“After last week’s Joburg Open my dad asked me for some time on the putting green and said I wasn’t looking comfortable and should stand a bit further away from the ball. He told me to just trust him, which I did, and it helped.”

It was the perfect start for Lawrence on a golf course that by its sheer length challenged the field on a warm day in Africa.

“It’s a very long golf course, but I like to play full shots into the greens. I think my mid to high irons are the key to my game. It is a long golf course but it suits me. I’m sticking to my gameplan and being aggressive off the tee. I love playing aggressively and this golf course gives you that opportunity. And to start like this in my national Open means everything. Everybody wants to get their hands on that trophy and it’s a good start.”

Lawrence has just come off a rookie DP World Tour season in which he won twice and became the first South African to be named the Sir Henry Cotton Rookie of the Year.

And he’s clearly picked up from where he left off in this new season.

“I just kept doing what I’m doing. I’m a big believer in not changing what works. I’ve been doing the same things for the last few years and am a big believer in not changing what’s already working.”

Scores:

64 - Thriston Lawrence

65 - Ross Fisher, Jens Fahrbring

66 - Matti Schmid, Scott Jamieson, JJ Senekal

67 - Luke Brown, Santiago Tarrio, Tom McKibbin, Edoardo Molinari, Wilco Nienaber, Anthony Michael

68 - Jens Dantorp, Dan Bradbury, Jayden Schaper, Charl Schwartzel, Clement Sordet, Darren Fichardt, Mateusz Gradecki, Marc Warren, Thomas Aiken, Aaron Cockerill, Kristian Krogh Johannessen, Christoffer Bring

69 - Zander Lombard, Nathan Kimsey, Jeremy Freiburghaus, Daniel Gavins, Sam Hutsby, Jeong Weon Ko, Kyle De Beer, Christiaan Maas, Marcel Siem, Deon Germishuys, Gary Hurley, Richard Sterne, Chase Hanna

70 - Nick Bachem, Martin Rohwer, Adrian Otaegui, Pieter Moolman, Jacques Kruyswijk, Dylan Frittelli, Mikael Lindberg, Hennie du Plessis, Freddy Schott, Tristen Strydom, Alex Haindl, Bryce Easton, Jean Hugo, Luca Filippi, Renato Paratore, Matthew Spacey, Toto Thimba Jnr, Dean Burmester, Ockie Strydom, Tapio Pulkkanen, James Hart du Preez, Jaco Prinsloo, Luke Jerling

71 - Francesco Laporta, Aldrich Potgieter, Oliver Bekker, Keenan Davidse, Rourke van der Spuy, Sean Crocker, Combrinck Smit, Branden Grace, CJ du Plessis, David Ravetto, Matthew Southgate, Merrick Bremner, MJ Daffue, Simon Forsstrom, Michael Palmer, Albert Venter, Gary Stal, Romain Langasque, Ashun Wu, Robin Sciot-Siegrist, Daniel Brown, George Coetzee, Wynand Dingle, Justin Walters, MJ Viljoen, Jonathan Broomhead, Malcolm Mitchell, Musiwalo Nethunzwi

72 - Dale Whitnell, Sami Valimaki, Joost Luiten, Alexander Knappe, Todd Clements, Yurav Premlall, Gudmundur Kristjansson, Brandon Stone, James Morrison, Jean-Paul Strydom, Rhys Enoch, Alejandro Del Rey, Jacquin Hess

73 - Brooklin Bailey, Keelan Africa, Erik van Rooyen, Jorge Campillo, Adam Breen, Martin Simonsen, Hennie Otto, Angel Hidalgo, Jaco Ahlers, Rupert Kaminski, Louis Albertse, Jake Redman, Heinrich Bruiners, Janko van der Merwe, Shaun Norris, Grant Forrest, JC Ritchie, Louis de Jager, Lyle Rowe, Adrien Saddier, Lukas Nemecz, Matthew Baldwin, Andrew Williamson, Callum Mowat

74 - Dylan Naidoo, Jbe' Kruger, Jaco Van Zyl, John Murphy, Daniel van Tonder

75 - Matias Calderon, Dylan Mostert, Ruan Korb, Jacques Blaauw, John Axelsen, Tobias Eden, Joshua Lee, Ruan Conradie, Anton Karlsson, Philip Eriksson, Marcus Armitage, Darius van Driel, Herman Loubser

76 - Haydn Porteous, Joachim B. Hansen, Nicholaus Frade

77 - Gerard du Plooy, Stephen Ferreira, Toby Tree, Keelan van Wyk, Estiaan Conradie, Casey Jarvis, Wade Jacobs

78 - Graeme Storm, Oliver Hundeboll, Nikhil Rama

- Michael Vlismas

2022-12-01 07:21:04

2022-12-01 07:20:25The Investec South African Open Championship is back on the DP World Tour schedule and this time it will be held at Blair Atholl Golf and Equestrian Estate.Read our preview 2022-11-30 19:54:49

Featured tee times for the Investec South African Open:

06:30 - Erik van Rooyen, Jorge Campillo, Oliver Bekker

06:40 - Dale Whitnell, Keenan Davidse, Zander Lombard

07:00 - Dan Bradbury, Dylan Frittelli, Branden Grace

07:30 - Merrick Bremner, Hennie du Plessis, Toby Tree

11:40 - Ashun Wu, Shaun Norris, Wilco Nienaber

11:50 - George Coetzee, Daniel van Tonder, Kyle de Beer

12:00 - Dean Burmester, Charl Schwartzel, Thriston Lawrence

12:30 - Marcus Armitage, Brandon Stone, Louis de Jager

2022-11-30 19:53:27South African golfer Daniel van Tonder is hoping to fine-tune his performance as he defends the Investec South African Open Championship title this week.Read more2022-11-29 14:32:50

Stone predicts strong SA challenge in Investec SA Open

Brandon Stone predicts that this week's Investec South African Open at Blair Atholl Golf and Equestrian Estate will be a true showcase of the growing strength of South African golf.

Stone returns as the 2016 winner of the second oldest national Open in golf and forms part of what he says is a field and a week that is going to display everything of the strength and future potential of South African golf.

"I have no doubt there will be a strong South African showing this year. You look at the field and the South Africans in there, and then a championship golf course designed by Gary Player, and I think this is one week where the fans can come and see first-hand how South African golf has moved to another level over the past few years," said Stone.

"With the amount of golfers we have shining on the global stage, this is only a taste of what this country's golfers have to offer for the years to come. I've just got a real feeling that this year's Investec SA Open will be a true showcase of this."

The South African challenge this week is indeed a tantalising one and includes Charl Schwartzel, Dylan Frittelli, MJ Daffue, Branden Grace, Thriston Lawrence, Erik van Rooyen and Dean Burmester.

A second title this week would see Stone join a select group including Retief Goosen, Trevor Immelman, Mark McNulty, Tony Johnstone and David Frost as having won their national Open twice.

"Being privileged enough to have my name alongside the likes of Ernie Els, Gary Player, Louis Oosthuizen, Branden Grace and so many others is something I hold very close to my heart. Any time you get to win your national Open, it's something special in your golf career. I know this year, there will be a lot of top South African golfers looking to add their names to the trophy. I'm looking to get my name on there again," he said.

And Stone said he is looking forward to the challenge that the Blair Atholl Golf and Equestrian Estate course will pose.

"I think Blair Atholl will be an absolute test of the game. It's a beast. The Blair Mile on the back nine is a true test of ball striking. You cannot miss a shot there. A par on those few holes is great. If the wind gets up, the course will be even tougher."

- Michael Vlismas

2022-11-27 14:44:21

Englishman Dan Bradbury hugged his mother after a fairy tale wire-to-wire victory on Sunday in the Joburg Open, the opening event of the 2022-2023 European Tour.

He carded a final round 67 for a 21 under total of 263 at Houghton Golf Club in a leafy upscale Johannesburg suburb for a three-shot victory over Finn Sami Valimaki, who closed with a 69.

South Africans Christiaan Bezuidenhout (66) and Daniel van Tonder (68) shared third place on 267, one stroke behind Valimaki.

Bradbury, a 23-year-old from the west Yorkshire cathedral city of Wakefield, only turned professional in July this year and was not on the original entry list for the Joburg Open.

But he dashed to the South African economic capital last weekend with his mother after receiving an invitation from the sponsors.

The Joburg Open was just his third European Tour event and victory not only made him a lot richer but also secured DP World Tour membership and a place in the 2023 British Open.

"My victory was all the more special because my mother was here to witness it," he said after his only blemish of the final round, a bogey five at the final hole.

"It is going to take a few days for this victory to sink in. What I have achieved is unbelievable. I played my own game and it worked."

Bradbury achieved victory with rounds of 63, 66, 67 and 67 that included three eagles, 24 birdies, seven bogeys and one double bogey.

One shot ahead of one-time European Tour winner Valimaki going into the final round, he stayed ahead with five birdies before his final hole blip.

He admitted to being a little nervous when the Finn holed a monster putt at 15 to move within two strokes but responded with a birdie two at the next hole to regain a three-shot advantage.

Leading scores after the final round of the DP World Tour (European Tour) Joburg Open at Houghton Golf Club in Johannesburg on Sunday (RSA unless stated, Par 72):

263 - Dan Bradbury (ENG) 63-66-67-67

266 - Sami Valimaki (FIN) 66-65-66-69

267 - Christiaan Bezuidenhout 68-64-69-66, Daniel van Tonder 69-63-67-68

269 - Louis de Jager 67-65-70-67

271 - Heinrich Bruiners 71-67-67-66, J. J. Senekal 68-71-66-66, Dale Whitnell (ENG) 68-68-70-65

272 - Simon Forsstroem (SWE) 67-69-71-65, Casey Jarvis 67-63-71-71, Romain Langasque (FRA) 65-67-70-70, Tom Murray (ENG) 70-69-66-67

273 - Oliver Bekker 71-67-65-70, Nathan Kimsey (ENG) 66-66-74-67, Francesco Laporta (ITA) 67-69-68-69

274 - Rhys Enoch (WAL) 72-67-70-65, Marcel Siem (GER) 70-72-65-67

2022-11-26 18:54:31

Leading scores after the third round of the DP World Tour Joburg Open, Houghton GC, Johannesburg, South Africa on Saturday (RSA unless stated, Par 72):

196 - Daniel Bradbury (ENG) 63-66-67

197 - Sami Valimaki (FIN) 66-65-66

199 - Daniel van Tonder 69-63-67

201 - Christiaan Bezuidenhout 68-64-69, Casey Jarvis 67-63-71

202 - Louis de Jager 67-65-70, Romain Langasque (FRA) 65-67-70

203 - Oliver Bekker 71-67-65

204 - Jbe' Kruger 65-67-72, Todd Clements (ENG) 67-71-66, Francesco Laporta (ITA) 67-69-68

205 - Shaun Norris 70-68-67, Dylan Mostert 67-71-67, Heinrich Bruiners 71-67-67, Tom Murray (ENG) 70-69-66, J. J. Senekal 68-71-66

206 - Wilco Nienaber 67-67-72, Dale Whitnell (ENG) 68-68-70, Nathan Kimsey (ENG) 66-66-74, Craig Howie (SCO) 70-67-69

207 - Simon Forsstroem (SWE) 67-69-71, Marcel Siem (GER) 70-72-65, Ricardo Gouveia (POR) 71-69-67

2022-11-26 08:04:07

2022-11-25 20:04:43

Bradbury leads, but South Africans give chase in Joburg Open

Englishman Dan Bradbury kept his grip on the Joburg Open and remained at the top of the leaderboard in the suspended second round on Friday, but with young South African Casey Jarvis and Frenchman Romain Langasque just one shot back as darkness fell at Houghton Golf Club.

Bradbury followed up his 63 with a 66 to hold the clubhouse lead on 13 under par when play was suspended because of lightning at 14:36.

They resumed at 17:25 before bad light forced the round to be carried over to Saturday morning.

But not before Jarvis had made a strong charge with seven birdies over the turn to lift him to 12 under overall with four holes of his second round still to complete. Langasque had also climbed to 12 under through 11 holes.

And the South African challenge was strengthened by Christiaan Bezuidenhout, Daniel van Tonder and Jbe Kruger, all making it into the clubhouse on 10 under par before the suspension. But Bradbury has looked extremely solid at the top of the leaderboard for two days now.

"I had it going there on the front nine and thought it was going to be another 63 or even a 62, but I made a few mistakes on the back nine," Bradbury said of a round where he was seven under through 14 holes and then made back-to-back bogeys.

"Overall I'm very happy. With both those bogeys, I just missed it in the wrong place. If you do that on these greens, you're going to be in trouble."

The experienced Bezuidenhout will be a definite threat on 10 under.

"I did a solid job in the second round," Bezuidenhout said after his 64.

"I knew I needed to at least get to 10 under par to give myself a chance. I’ve played some pretty nice golf over the last two days. I made a putter change after my first round and it was nice to see some putts going in. Hopefully, I can get off to a fast start in the third round. On this golf course, you need to keep the ball in play. If you do that you have lots of chances for birdies. That will be my plan for the weekend."

Van Tonder was also thrilled with his putting after a 63, which didn’t equal the course record because of placing following the storm that also caused a suspension of the first round.

"The greens are nice and quick and I managed to roll a few in. I’ve been playing well the last seven or eight months and haven’t been getting the scores. It's been frustrating, so I'm glad to finally make putts and put a low score down. I'm being as aggressive as I can be on this golf course. I like these greens and I've been reading them well."

Kruger had his ball striking to thank for him being in contention on a day when his putter wasn't as hot as those around him.

"I'm 100% pleased with my golf, but not so much with my putting. My ball striking has been very good and I hit it close all day. But it felt like I didn't make any putts. I've missed a whole bunch of putts inside 10 feet over the past two days. So to miss that many and still be 10 under means I must be hitting the ball well."

- Michael Vlismas

Leading completed second-round scores in the DP World Tour (European Tour) Joburg Open at Houghton GC, Johannesburg, South Africa on Friday. (RSA unless stated, Par 72); play suspended due to bad light:

129 - Dan Bradbury (ENG) 63-66

132 - Daniel van Tonder 69-63, Christiaan Bezuidenhout 68-64, Jbe Kruger 65-67

136 - Dale Whitnell (ENG) 68-68, Francesco Laporta (ITA) 67-69

137 - Ruan Conradie 69-68, Sean Bradley 69-68

138 - Anton Karlsson (SWE) 69-69, Jayden Schaper 71-67, Hennie Du Plessis 70-68

139 - Jake Redman 72-67, MJ Viljoen 70-69, Neil Schietekat 70-69, Rhys Enoch (WAL) 72-67, Keith Horne 69-70, Louis Albertse 71 68, Kristian Krogh Johannessen (NOR) 70-69, Tom Murray (ENG) 70-69, Clement Berardo (FRA) 69-70

2022-11-24 19:15:59

Bradbury leads Joburg Open as Lawrence makes SA golf history

Englishman Dan Bradbury took full advantage of a sponsor's invitation and led the suspended first round of the Joburg Open with an eight-under-par 63 at Houghton Golf Club on Thursday.

But South Africa’s Thriston Lawrence managed to take some of the spotlight with an historic first for South African professional golf.

Bradbury, who was given the news last Friday that he had an invitation into this tournament, made it into the clubhouse with a round featuring two eagles before the second suspension of the day due to lightning.

It earned him a one-stroke clubhouse lead over Germany’s Nick Bachem. The first round will resume at 6:45 am on Friday, with the second round scheduled to start at 7:15 am.

“It was pretty good to be fair. I can’t really complain. I had some momentum on my second nine and then the first thunderstorm stopped that. But I can’t really complain with a 63. It’s as good a start as I could’ve wished for,” said Bradbury.

Defending champion Lawrence grabbed his own share of the headlines when it was announced that he had won the DP World Tour’s Sir Henry Cotton Rookie of the Year Award for his two victories – one of which was the Joburg Open last November –, six top-10s and a Major debut this past season.

He is the first South African golfer to ever receive this award. Lawrence celebrated that achievement with an opening five-under-par 66 to place him just three shots off the clubhouse lead.

“It’s a dream come true,” Lawrence said of his award.

“If you look at the names on the trophy, it’s incredible. A year ago I didn’t even have a category, so when I started off with a victory, it came to mind straight away to go for this award. To have accomplished it is an incredible feeling – I’m very grateful and honoured.”

Incomplete scores from the suspended first round of the Joburg Open:

-8 - Dan Bradbury

-7 - Nick Bachem

-6 - Romain Langasque, Clement Berardo [11]

-5 - Nathan Kimsey, Sami Valimaki, Thriston Lawrence, Jaco Van Zyl

-4 - Casey Jarvis, Ross Mcgowan, Dylan Mostert, Louis de Jager, Todd Clements, Wilco Nienaber, Simon Forsstrom, Francesco Laporta [12], Jbe' Kruger [12]

-3 - JJ Senekal, Wynand Dingle, Jacques Kruyswijk, Renato Paratore, James Hart du Preez, Tom McKibbin, Ian Snyman, Christiaan Bezuidenhout [16], Julien Guerrier [15], John Murphy [11]

-2 - Matthew Southgate, Bryce Easton, Gary Boyd, Sean Bradley, Jeremy Freiburghaus [15], Dale Whitnell [15], Kristian Krogh Johannessen [13], Christopher Mivis [11], Keagan Thomas [11], Hennie O'Kennedy [10]

-1 - Jovan Rebula, Craig Howie, Kyle Barker, Jeong Weon Ko, Joachim B. Hansen, Merrick Bremner, Shaun Norris, Robin Williams, Marcel Siem, Martin Vorster, Luke Jerling, Elias Bertheussen, Tom Murray, Franklin Manchest, Keith Horne [17], Marc Warren [16], George Coetzee [16], Zander Lombard [15], MJ Viljoen [15], Daniel van Tonder [14], Jaco Prinsloo [14], Daniel Brown [13], Clement Sordet [13], Siyanda Mwandla [13], Gerhard Pepler [13], CJ du Plessis [11], Jacquin Hess [10]

Par - Oliver Bekker, Martin Rohwer, Richard Sterne, Heinrich Bruiners, Robin Sciot-Siegrist, Deon Germishuys, Santiago Tarrio, Gregory Bourdy, Thomas Aiken, Emilio Cuartero Blanco, Mateusz Gradecki, Keelan van Wyk, Oliver Hundeboll, Jayden Schaper [17], Matthew Baldwin [17], Hennie du Plessis [16], Daniel Gavins [16], Brandon Stone [15], Chase Hanna [14], Anton Karlsson [13], David Drysdale [13], Anthony Michael [13], Sam Hutsby [12], Ruan Conradie [12], Lorenzo Scalise [11], Quintin Wilsnach [10]

2022-11-24 09:26:41

2022-11-24 08:54:36

Defending Joburg Open champ Lawrence back where the dream began

It was while Thriston Lawrence was warming up on a driving range in St Andrews for his first Major in The 150th Open only a few metres away from Tiger Woods that he realised just how much his life had changed since winning the Joburg Open in November last year.

"Everything I could've dreamed of happened this year and that motivates me to achieve even more in my career," said Lawrence.

The South African's victory in last November's Joburg Open was his first on the DP World Tour, and it led to another title in the European Masters, his first Major appearance this year, and finishing as the top South African on the DP World Tour Rankings in 14th place for the past season.

Driving into Houghton Golf Club this week, the tournament banner with Lawrence's photo on it as defending champion was another reminder of just how big this week was for him.

"Driving into Houghton Golf Club and seeing the signage with my photo and the trophy, you dream about those things when you're a young golfer. A year ago I never thought this would happen. This event is where my dreams came true. It's obviously not all the dreams I want to achieve, but it's the start. It motivates you because if you see that once you want to be there again. I want to defend my title as best as I can this week."

- Michael Vlismas

2022-11-23 19:13:58

Featured tee times for Round 1 of Joburg Open:

06:50 - Pieter Moolman, Darren Fichardt, Joachim B Hansen

06:50 - Dylan Naidoo, Oliver Bekker, Sami Valimaki

07:00 - Shaun Norris, Thriston Lawrence, Romain Langasque

07:20 - JC Ritchie, Matthew Southgate, Jaco Ahlers

07:30 - Wilco Nienaber, Deon Germishuys, Santiago Tarrio

07:50 - Bryce Easton, Thomas Aiken, Marcel Siem

11:40 - Keith Horne, Jayden Schaper, Matthew Baldwin

11:50 - Marc Warren, Christiaan Bezuidenhout, George Coetzee

12:00 - Brandon Stone, Zander Lombard, Jeremy Freiburghaus

12:20 - Daniel van Tonder, Darius van Driel, Mikael Linderg

12:40 - Ockie Strydom, Kristian Johannessen, Neil Schietekat

2022-11-23 19:08:50South African golfer Pieter Moolman hopes to keep his consistency going ahead of the African swing on the DP World Tour, which starts at the Joburg Open Read more2022-11-20 16:49:30Gary Player with the help of Sunshine Tour professionals, sports stars, business leaders and friends raised over R3 million for charity at the Gary and Vivienne Player Invitational.Read more2022-11-20 15:32:34

The Gary and Vivienne Player Invitational has raised over R3 million for Blair Atholl Pre-Primary School.

It ends a brilliant two-day event in Sun City!

2022-11-20 15:31:37

We're at the end of the Gary and Vivienne Player Invitational at Lost City Golf Course in Sun City.

American Brooklin Bailey and his team of fourball, which includes former Bafana Bafana great Mark Fish and business men, Paul Marks and David King.

They finished tied on 43-under with Martin Vorster and Kenny Dalglish but Bailey's team were victorious due to countbacks as they scored 98 points in the final round.

2022-11-20 12:14:55

Currently leading the Gary and Vivienne Player Invitational is American Brooklin Bailey with Bafana great Mark Fish.

They lead by five strokes with Wynand Dingle and Stefan Terblanche trailing in second

2022-11-20 10:53:27

2022-11-20 10:53:12Jared Harvey and Patrick Lambie are part of the leading team at the Gary and Vivienne Player Invitational ahead of the final round at Lost City Golf Course2022-11-20 10:52:07

2022-11-19 18:09:40

Team Harvey and former Bok Lambie lead Players' golf and giving drive

Sunshine Tour professional Jared Harvey said that when he saw the signage for the Gary and Vivienne Player Invitational on the first tee box of the Lost City Golf Course on Saturday, it really hit home that he was playing for something bigger this weekend.

Harvey is one of a number of Sunshine Tour professionals who are competing alongside sports stars and business leaders in this weekend’s tournament in aid of raising funds for the Blair Atholl Pre-Primary School that the Players started on their farm over three decades ago, and which forms a key part of the legacy of the Gary and Vivienne Player Foundation.

And the privilege Harvey says he felt in being a part of this charity drive was enhanced by his fourball team leading the first round of this 36-hole tournament.

Harvey and his team of former Springbok rugby star Patrick Lambie and business leaders Stuart Morris and Elizabeth Horn topped the leaderboard on a total of 25 under par.

"It's an absolute privilege to be here. I stepped onto the first tee and saw the signage and it sunk in that I’m definitely part of something special. It's great to be here. Gary Player is a very special man," said Harvey.

Harvey was also highly impressed with Lambie's performance.

"Pat is off an 11 handicap and I saw a couple of swings out there today that I would've been proud of. I think we had a good blend of handicaps in our team and we dovetailed really well."

Second place is currently shared by the teams of Sunshine Tour professional Neil Schietekat, former Proteas cricketer Vernon Philander, and business leaders Pamela and Neil Senior; and Sunshine Tour professional Louis Albertse, former Bafana Bafana star Mark Williams, and business leaders Iwan Swiegers and Marius Reitz on 22 under par.

- Michael Vlismas

2022-11-19 17:09:49

The opening round of the Gary and Vivienne Player Invitational is done and dusted.

Jared Harvey and Patrick Lambie lead on 25-under, three stroke lead at Lost City Golf Course

2022-11-19 14:00:22

Now leading the Gary and Vivienne Player Invitational is Louis Albertse and Mark Williams on 15-under with three more holes to go.

2022-11-19 12:38:59

Currently leading the Gary and Vivienne Player Invitational after nine holes - Gerard du Plooy and Jimmy Tau team on 12-under.

2 strokes behind is Louis Albertse and Mark Williams on 10-under.

2022-11-19 12:36:53

2022-11-19 09:59:59

Featured tee times of Gary & Vivienne Player Invitational:

10:22 - Stefan Wears-Taylor, Sally Little

10:33 - Toto Thimba Jnr, Jaco van der Westhuizen

*10:33 - Jacquin Hess, Akona Ndungane

10:44 - Pieter Moolman, Herschelle Gibbs

10:55 - Rourke van der Spuy, Owen Nkumane

*10:55 - Lyle Rowe, Brian Mitchell

11:06 - Jaco Ahlers, Butch James

*11:06 - Jared Harvey, Pat Lambie

*11:17 - Hennie Otto, Gavin Hunt

*11:28 - Neil Schietekat, Vernon Philander

11:39 - Kyle McClatchie, Adriaan Strauss

11:50 - Martin Vorster, Kenny Dalgish

*11:50 - Jaco van Zyl, Victor Matfield

12:01 - Gary Player, Felicity Shiba

*12:01 - Albert Venter, Shaun Bartlett

*10th tee

2022-11-19 09:41:04

Lynn Butler here at Sun City, reporting on the Gary & Vivienne Player Invitational!

First tee gets under way at 10:00.

A delayed start as there were some thunderstorms this morning but the sun is peeping through and it looks like it'll be a great 36-hole event.

2022-11-19 09:38:31Welcome to News24's coverage of the opening round of the Gary & Vivienne Player Invitational at Lost City Golf Course.2022-11-19 09:37:30

2022-11-06 17:35:29

Golf is a capricious mistress and George Coetzee has been in the game for long enough to know the swing he has one day might not be around the next, but the two-time Sunshine Tour order of merit champion had the experience, composure and skill to get the job done on Sunday as he clinched his second PGA Championship title at the St Francis Links.

Coetzee had just a one-stroke lead going into the final round, but a polished four-under-par 68 on Sunday, which included two eagles and almost a third, carried him to 15-under-par and a three-stroke victory in the prestigious R1.2 million tournament.

“I was pretty much under pressure all day, I didn’t really feel comfortable and my swing wasn’t 100%,” Coetzee said after claiming his 14th Sunshine Tour title.

“But golf is one of those games, it’s not like cycling where the more you cycle the better you get. You can have one swing on one day and then the next day another swing.

“So I was putting pressure on myself, but I stuck to the game-plan, made good choices and hit good shots, and luckily it was enough in the end,” Coetzee said.

Some of those shots were better than good as an eagle on the par-five third hole brought some early pleasure, and he holed out with a sand-wedge for an eagle-two on the par-four 10th hole. In between those highlights, he could also have eagled the 350-yard par-four fifth hole after driving the green, but his putt was narrowly wide.

“We were put on the clock on the fifth and I didn’t have time to read my putt properly,” Coetzee laughed.

Unusually, Coetzee made bogey on the following hole on both occasions he registered an eagle. “I was really happy with my two eagles after I saw a lot of chances in the third round. But then it was a bit hard to calm down and get back into my rhythm, get my head back into a good space,” Coetzee admitted.

But back-to-back birdies on the 12th and 13th holes put him firmly in control of the tournament and he parred his way in from the 14th for a comfortable victory in the end.

FINAL SCORES

273 - George Coetzee 67 71 67 68

276 - Casey Jarvis 68 68 71 69

277 - Hennie Otto 69 69 69 70, Jake Redman 72 67 68 70

278 - Martin Vorster 71 67 71 69, Peter Karmis 72 70 67 69

279 - Jean-Paul Strydom 72 72 68 67, Rhys West 68 70 68 73

280 - Dylan Mostert 72 68 72 68281 - Jayden Schaper 71 71 73 66, Luke Jerling 74 68 67 72

- Michael Vlismas

2022-11-05 18:55:13

Coetzee chasing second PGA Championship title

George Coetzee says there is no magic recipe for winning golf, but the 13-time champion on the Sunshine Tour enjoyed more than a few ounces of inspiration on Saturday as a bogey-free 67 carried him back to the top of the leaderboard after the penultimate round of the PGA Championship at the St Francis Links.

Two birdies on the front nine and three coming in, two of them back-to-back on the 12th and 13th holes, lifted Coetzee to 11-under-par for the tournament and he is one stroke clear of Rhys West, who shot a 68.

Second-round leader Casey Jarvis posted a 71 on Saturday and is on nine-under-par, together with Stefan Wears-Taylor (67), Jake Redman (68) and Hennie Otto (69).

“It wasn’t really my plan to not get any bogeys, I just wanted to play good golf,” Coetzee said.

“This course has some teeth and you have to pick those parts where you can be aggressive and where you can’t be aggressive.

“I think I balanced that out quite well, I made pars on the tough holes and birdies on some of the easier holes. Being experienced is more about what you do than what you know.

“But it does help that I am more conservative on a course that I don’t know that well, I kind of stick to how the course wants me to play.

“I think only Tiger Woods really knew how to win, the rest of us are all learning as we go along. I’ve won a few tournaments, but there’s no pattern to it, no magic recipe,” Coetzee said.

Overnight leader Jarvis had two eagles on the front nine, on the par-five third and then holing out with his second on the par-four fifth hole, but after a double-bogey six on the par-four 15th he surrendered the lead to Coetzee.

Four golfers on seven-under-par will be chasing after glory in the final round on Sunday – last week’s winner of the Vodacom Origins of Golf final Combrinck Smit (66), Luke Jerling (67), Peter Karmis (67) and Martin Vorster (71).

But after all the titles he has won, including the Vodacom Origins of Golf Series event at De Zalze in August, the 36-year-old Coetzee has clear aims for the final round.

“I will just be trying to make good decisions, try to play decent golf and be excited about playing under pressure,” Coetzee said. - Michael Vlismas

2022-11-04 19:26:05

Rookie Jarvis chasing PGA Championship glory

Casey Jarvis has been known as a top-class talent for some time now and the Sunshine Tour rookie fired a brilliant four-under-par 68 on Friday to snatch a two-stroke lead after the second round of the prestigious PGA Championship at St Francis Links.

The 19-year-old Jarvis goes into the weekend on a total of eight-under-par, two ahead of a chasing pack on six-under, which includes a pair of decorated veterans in George Coetzee and Hennie Otto.

Jarvis, a star for the GolfRSA squad on fairways around the world before he turned pro this year, was a shot off the lead at the start of the second round.

A measured front nine saw him reach the turn in level-par, with two birdies and two bogeys, but he then produced a sensational back nine.

He netted a pair of birdies on the par-four 10th and 11th holes and then conquered the famous 533-yard, par-five 13th with an eagle.

With a tricky run of holes into the wind to finish, Jarvis did well to come home in par and complete a memorable day in his fledgling pro career.

"My iron play was really good today, I struck the ball well and I started pretty solid, but I didn't make many putts. But then I hit good shots at 10 and 11, where I made a long putt, and a very good eagle at 13 after a great drive and hitting a wedge in to 10 feet," Jarvis said.

"The wind picked up on the back nine and it was a strong breeze, there was wind on the front nine as well, but it was not as hard. From 15 onwards, we were into the wind, so it was a tricky finish.

"I haven't been in this position before on the Sunshine Tour and it's great to be there, I'm really excited. I must just try not to get ahead of myself on the weekend, take it one shot at a time," the leading amateur in the 2020 SA Open said.

Coetzee had an up-and-down front nine with back-to-back birdies on the fifth and sixth holes but then three successive bogeys before the turn.

He was now slipping a bit behind Jarvis, but a precious run of three consecutive birdies from the 12th meant he would still finish under-par and stay well in touch despite another bogey on the par-three penultimate hole.

Malcolm Mitchell played excellent golf to also shoot a 68 and climb into the share of second with just one dropped shot on Friday.

Otto shot a fine 69 to also sit on six-under at the halfway mark, while Rhys West and Hennie O'Kennedy posted two-under 70s to also share second.

But Martin Vorster was the biggest climber up the leaderboard with his 67, the joint-best round of the day that vaulted him from tied-19th into the share of second.

Jake Redman also fired a 67 to sit a shot further back on five-under-par.

- Michael Vlismas

2022-10-30 15:37:38

Smit joins SA stars with Vodacom Origins Final victory

Combrinck Smit added his name to an impressive list of Sunshine Tour stars who have all won on the Vodacom Origins of Golf Series as he clinched the Final of this year’s series in a playoff at the Pinnacle Point Estate on Sunday.

Smit overcame a double-bogey on the 16th in regulation play and then battled through a sudden-death playoff against the experienced Jake Redman to claim victory. With his win on this series, Smit joins the likes of Louis Oosthuizen, Branden Grace, Dean Burmester, George Coetzee, Justin Harding, Thriston Lawrence and a host of others Sunshine Tour stars to have won a Vodacom Origins of Golf title.

The KwaZulu-Natal professional had to birdie the 18th to make it into a playoff with Redman on eight under par. Redman had earlier signed for a 68 to lead in the clubhouse and was then joined by Smit following his 72. Both played parred the par-five 18th as the first playoff hole. Playing the hole again, Redman pulled his drive into the fynbos on the left and was forced to take a penalty drop, from where he went on to make a double bogey. Smit parred the hole to take the title.

“It’s never a great thing playing against a good friend and such a great guy as Jake in a playoff. But somebody has to win and thank goodness it could be me,” said Smit.

He started the final round with a one-stroke lead and admits it was a hard day on the fairways, which began with a bogey at the first and then included that double bogey on the par-five 16th.

“I don’t really know what happened today. There were some surprising shots out there. I’ve clipped the fynbos quite a couple of times this week and I was a bit shocked after the 16th. But I just told myself to keep going and that I still had a great chance to win the tournament. I got it done in the end,” said a relieved Smit, who also wins a Jaguar F Type for use until the end of the 2022/23 season.

The tournament marked the end of yet another successful season of the Vodacom Origins of Golf Series, which since 2004 has been the backbone of the Sunshine Tour’s winter schedule.

Scores (* won on second hole of a sudden-death playoff):

-8 - *Combrinck Smit, Jake Redman

-6 - Oliver Bekker, Malcolm Mitchell

-4 - Albert Venter

-3 - Martin Vorster, Ockie Strydom

-2 - Hennie Otto, Ruan Korb, Jacques P de Villiers, Jake Roos, Jared Harvey

-1 - Stephen Ferreira, Martin Rohwer

Par - Hennie O'Kennedy, Jean Hugo

2022-10-29 15:40:11

KwaZulu-Natal professional Combrinck Smit will take a one-stroke lead into Sunday’s last round of the Vodacom Origins of Golf Final at Pinnacle Point Estate and he remains determined to keep playing as aggressively as this golf course will allow.

“I need to just go out there and still play quite aggressively on the final day. There is never a big enough lead when it comes to the Sunshine Tour. I’ll have to go out there and shoot another low round,” he said.

Smit was as delighted as the rest of the field to be presented with a far calmer day on Saturday at Pinnacle Point after a Friday where the infamous wind ripped through the field and into some of the finest golf swings on the Sunshine Tour.

“Today was unbelievable out there. You could actually stand still and make a swing and a putt,” he joked after his third round of 67 to take the lead on eight under par. His nearest challengers are Malcolm Mitchell and Albert Venter following their third rounds of 67 and 69 respectively.

Smit led the first round, but a 76 in Friday’s brutal weather cost him that position. However, it’s a measure of how tough the golf course played that day that his 76 still put him in a tie for third place. And Smit remained philosophical about his golf in those conditions.

“If the wind blows like it blew on Friday, then this is probably one of the hardest golf courses I’ve ever played. It was tough for everyone that day. But you can’t start doubting yourself based on a day like that. You can’t take it personally. You just keep trusting in your swing.

“I hit it pretty well again and was in play most of the time. I set myself up with some nice birdie opportunities and wasn’t in trouble off the tee, and I’ll just keep trying to do the same. All I can do is control what I can control and the rest will take care of itself.”

Scores:

208 - Combrinck Smit 65 76 67

209 - Malcolm Mitchell 71 71 67, Albert Venter 68 72 69

211 - Ockie Strydom 72 69 70, Martin Rohwer 68 71 72

212 - Jake Redman 72 73 67, Jared Harvey 72 70 70

213 - Jake Roos 68 76 69, Jacques P de Villiers 69 72 72

214 - Martin Vorster 74 72 68, Oliver Bekker 69 74 71

215 - Jayden Schaper 70 76 69, Stephen Ferreira 66 77 72

216 - James Pennington 69 77 70, Ruan Korb 75 71 70

217 - Doug McGuigan 75 75 67, Michael Palmer 73 74 70, Hennie Otto 68 75 74

218 - Bradley Bawden 73 76 69, Rupert Kaminski 68 77 73, Jean Hugo 73 71 74, Hennie O'Kennedy 69 73 76

219 - Keith Horne 74 74 71, Riekus Nortje 72 77 70, Christiaan Burke 73 75 71, Danie Van Niekerk 77 71 71, Jovan Rebula 72 78 69, Stefan Wears-Taylor 71 81 67

220 - Keelan van Wyk 77 73 70, Keenan Davidse 72 74 74, Callum Mowat 72 72 76, Matias Calderon 70 82 68, Chris Cannon 75 77 68

221 - Andre De Decker 70 78 73, Jacques Blaauw 74 74 73, Neil Schietekat 72 78 71, Divan van den Heever 76 76 69

222 - Lyle Rowe 68 80 74, Toto Thimba Jnr 74 76 72, Kyle McClatchie 75 76 71, Fredrik From 74 78 70

223 - Therion Nel 72 78 73, Christiaan Basson 73 79 71

224 - Steve Surry 71 79 74, Heinrich Bruiners 79 73 72

225 - Harry Konig 68 82 75

226 - Casey Jarvis 70 79 77, Dylan Mostert 67 80 79, Gerhard Pepler 72 79 75, Erhard Lambrechts 73 79 74

227 - JJ Senekal 75 75 77, Basil Wright Jr 71 79 77, Keagan Thomas 76 76 75

229 - MJ Viljoen 70 81 78, Wynand Dingle 80 72 77

231 - Leon Vorster 70 82 79

2022-10-27 19:05:13

Smit takes his chance and leads Origins

Combrinck Smit took advantage of a calmer day at Pinnacle Point Estate and posted a seven-under-par 65 to lead the first round of the Vodacom Origins of Golf Final on Thursday.

Smit’s round of nine birdies, one eagle, two bogeys and one double bogey earned him a one-stroke lead over recent winner Stephen Ferreira. Dylan Mostert, another winner on the Tour this year, is two shots off the lead. And Albert Venter, twice a winner this year, is well placed on four under par.

The slight drop in the wind compared to the previous two days in the pro-am was a welcome respite for the field.

“This golf course is always a beast and my experience is that the wind always blows here. So we were lucky that it was quite calm today,” said Smit, who has found some form on the Vodacom Origins of Golf Series this year with a fourth-place finish in the Highland Gate tournament in August.

“I wouldn’t say I expected this round because I haven’t played my best golf over the last three tournaments. But golf is funny and you never know when it’s going to turn around. I hit the ball unbelievably well and that meant I had a lot of tap-ins for birdie putts. I think I only had a couple of birdie putts that were outside eight feet.”

Smit’s most prolific run of birdies came over the turn where he made six birdies in seven holes. Unfortunately there was also a double bogey on the par-three ninth in that stretch.

“I was too aggressive and had the wrong club and knocked it into the snake pit as they call it on that hole. But you know, overall you’re always happy with a low round on the first day. It puts me in a good position, and even more so with Friday’s weather looking very difficult.”

This week’s tournament is a 72-hole event which is a break from the traditional 54-hole tournaments on the winter leg of the Sunshine Tour. But it’s also perfect timing with the main summer schedule coming up in the next few weeks.

“We usually play three-round tournaments at this time so it’s great because you really want to make the cuts in those four-round events, and this is good for getting used to that.”

Scores:

65 - Combrinck Smit

66 - Stephen Ferreira

67 - Michael Kok, Dylan Mostert

68 - Lyle Rowe, Albert Venter, Harry Konig, Hennie Otto, Rupert Kaminski, Jake Roos, Martin Rohwer

69 - Jacques P de Villiers, Oliver Bekker, James Pennington, Hennie O'Kennedy

70 - Leon Vorster, Andre De Decker, Matias Calderon, Casey Jarvis, MJ Viljoen, Jayden Schaper, Wallie Coetsee

71 - Basil Wright Jr, Steve Surry, Adam Breen, Jean-Paul Strydom, Henning du Plooy, Stefan Wears-Taylor, Alex Haindl, Aneurin Gounden, Malcolm Mitchell, Hayden Griffiths, Brandon Pieters

72 - Keenan Davidse, Riekus Nortje, Neil Schietekat, Andre Van Dyk, Jovan Rebula, Therion Nel, Jake Redman, Jared Harvey, Ockie Strydom, Siyanda Mwandla, Callum Mowat, Gerhard Pepler

73 - Maverick Faber, Erhard Lambrechts, Bradley Bawden, Luan Boshoff, Kyle Barker, Jean Hugo, Christiaan Basson, Christiaan Burke, Michael Palmer, Jordan Duminy

74 - Dayne Moore, Keith Horne, Fredrik From, Richard Joubert, Jacques Blaauw, Martin Vorster, Toto Thimba Jnr

75 - Herman Loubser, Luca Filippi, Chris Cannon, Kyle McClatchie, JJ Senekal, Merrick Bremner, Doug McGuigan, Ruan Korb, James Mack

76 - Dean O'Riley, Luke Jerling, Quintin Wilsnach, Charl Coetzee, Benjamin Follett-Smith, Tumelo Molloyi, Keagan Thomas, Ruan Conradie, Divan van den Heever

77 - Noel Anderson, Ruan de Smidt, Sean Cronje, Keelan van Wyk, Danie Van Niekerk

78 - Rhys West, Brooklin Bailey, Peter Karmis, Carlo Heunis

79 - Steve Basson, James Kamte, Pascal Gunther, Heinrich Bruiners, Nikhil Rama, Tristin Galant

80 - Samuel Simpson, Vaughn van Deventer, Wynand Dingle, Kevin Rhoderick

81 - Sean Bradley

83 - Richard Kruger, Franklin Manchest, Shaahid Mahmed

87 - Brandon-Jude Rennie

90 - Maurice Prinsloo

94 - Steven Le Roux

DSQ - Gareth Sargent

- Michael Vlismas

2022-10-21 21:58:47

2022-10-21 21:46:32

Talented youngster Naidoo claims first Sunshine Tour titlewith SunBet victory

Dylan Naidoo cemented his reputation as one of the mosttalented young golfers in the country when he claimed his maiden Sunshine Tourtitle on Friday as he won the SunBet Challenge hosted by Sun Sibaya at UmhlaliCountry Club by two shots.

Naidoo said the key to his breakthrough title was becoming acreature of habit out on the golf course, and taking comfort from a setprocess.

The 24-year-old is a member of the Sunshine Tour’s PapwaSewgolum Class for historically disadvantaged professionals which is supportedby Investec, SuperSport, Betway, VAT It, DNI, Credit Guarantee, Cobra Puma andTaylorMade, and The Papwa Foundation.

“The most important thing is that I felt I had the wincoming. I’ve been playing very well for the last few weeks. It’s theculmination of having really good processes and discipline out on the course.

“So the best part is that it does not feel like a lightningbolt came down from the sky and I got lucky and won. I feel like I canreplicate this because I have a really good process. But of course we will haveto wait and see what happens because you never know in golf.”

Naidoo began the final round two shots off the lead andsettled himself with a wonderful front nine that was bogey-free and featuredback-to-back birdies on the third and fourth holes.

But he was still a couple of shots behind Luke Brown until abrilliant eagle on the 489m par-five 10th saw the former BigEasy Tour golfer vault strongly into contention.

Naidoo then targeted the short par-fours on the back nine,picking up birdies on three of them, and dropping a shot on the 15th,which he described as “a good bogey”.

A pair of birdies on 16 and 17 beat back the tentacles ofthe chasing golfers trying to reach him at the top of the leaderboard.

“My goal was just to turn under-par because I had not doneit the whole week, so I got that job done on two-under, I played really solid,”Naidoo recalled.

“We had 209 to the flag on 10, but we wanted to pitch itwell short because the greens were really starting to firm up. It was a littledownwind and my seven-iron pitched and bounced exactly where it needed to and Isank the eight-foot putt for eagle.

“There are so many opportunities on the back nine and goodtee shots set me up. I hit really good iron shots too, we were super-consistentwith where we wanted to hit them and I putted really well. I sank a 25-footeron 17 which was not expected because it’s a very uphill putt, tricky just toget to the hole,” Naidoo said.

Once the job was done with a four-under 67 leading him tosix-under-par for the tournament, he was grateful for all the supporting castto his biggest win yet in his fledgling golf career.

“It’s taken thousands of hours of hard work and I could nothave done it without the team around me – my sponsors, parents and loved ones –and everyone who helped along the journey. I’m just so ecstatic,” Naidoo said.

Brown fell away on the back nine as he dropped three shotsby the 15th hole, finishing on four-under and in a four-way tiefor second place with Jaco Prinsloo, amateur Jonathan Broomhead and Ian Snyman.

Prinsloo produced a top-class round of 68 that included twobirdies and an eagle on the par-four ninth.SA Strokeplay champion Broomhead, playing in just his secondSunshine Tour event, also shone with marvellous 69.

Overnight leader Richard Joubert went through hell on thefront nine with two double-bogies and then three more bogeys on the back nine,finishing on one-under, in a tie for ninth.

- Michael Vlismas

(Photo by Carl Fourie/Gallo Images)

2022-10-21 21:38:41

FINAL ROUND SCORES:

207 - Dylan Naidoo 66 74 67

209 - Jaco Prinsloo 67 74 68, JonathanBroomhead 69 71 69, Luke Brown 69 70 70, Ian Snyman 71 68 70

210 - Brooklin Bailey 75 69 66, JJSenekal 71 68 71

211 - Keelan van Wyk 70 72 69

212 - Jean Hugo 69 75 68, JaredHarvey 72 67 73, Richard Joubert 67 71 74

214 - Ockie Strydom 77 68 69, RuanKorb 72 71 71, Clayton Mansfield 73 70 71, BenjaminFollett-Smith 69 74 71, Kyle McClatchie 67 73 74, Matthew Spacey 7268 74, Peter Karmis 71 68 75

215 - Keenan Davidse 73 72 70, ThandaMavundla 72 73 70, Adam Breen 71 73 71, Clinton Grobler 70 7174, Kevin Rhoderick 71 70 74

216 - Callum Mowat 73 73 70, RhysWest 67 77 72, Louis Albertse 71 71 74, Makhetha Mazibuko 71 7075

217 - Clancy Waugh 74 72 71,Christiaan Burke 70 76 71, Quintin Wilsnach 72 72 73, MichaelHollick 68 75 74, Rourke van der Spuy 73 70 74, LindaniNdwandwe 67 74 76

218 - Malcolm Mitchell 73 73 72,Combrinck Smit 76 70 72, Toto Thimba Jnr 73 71 74

219 - Gregory Mckay 71 75 73

220 - Hennie O'Kennedy 71 75 74,Gerhard Pepler 70 75 75

221 - Therion Nel 74 71 76224 - Dayne Moore 73 73 78, JamesPennington 70 76 78, Paul Boshoff 73 71 80

WDN - Doug McGuigan 72 73 WDN

2022-10-20 16:40:12

Joubert takes charge at SunBet Challenge

Richard Joubert played very good golf on the first two days of the SunBet Challenge to find himself on top of the leaderboard heading into Friday’s final round at the Umhlali Country Club.

Joubert shot a 67 in the first round and then on Thursday, in more difficult conditions, he posted a level-par 71 to sit at four-under-par for the tournament.

It is going to be a very competitive final round though, with five golfers – Ian Snyman (68), Luke Brown (70), Peter Karmis (68), Jared Harvey, whose 67 was the low round of the day, and JJ Senekal (68) – just one stroke back on three-under.

There are four more golfers on two-under, including overnight leader Dylan Naidoo, who took an eight on the par-five fifth on his way to a 74 on Thursday.

“My game is definitely feeling very good,” Joubert said. "It was definitely tougher out there today, the wind picked up and the flags were in more tricky positions too.

“The front nine is tough because the wind is mostly across the holes and very tough to read, while the back nine has some holes into the wind and some with the wind. And the wind direction is swirling so it’s tough to read.

“So my back nine was a bit more up-and-down, but I feel I can hit the shots and get a score out there,” Joubert said.

Back-to-back birdies on the fifth and the par-three sixth saw Joubert reach the turn in one-under 34, and he also birdied the par-five 10th, before a trio of bogeys snuck onto his card on the back nine.

So many potential challengers are lurking with 16 golfers within four strokes, but the pressure of trying to win his first Sunshine Tour title is probably the biggest threat to Joubert in the final round.

“I also led going into the final round of the Vodacom Origins of Golf Series at Humewood last year, but there was a lot of rain, it was hard golf and I did not hit the shots I wanted to,” Joubert said.

“But I learnt how I need to compose myself in a final round, and then two weeks ago at the Fortress Invitational at Ebotse I shot 69 in the final group on the final day.

“So I’ve had my first couple of top-10s on tour in the last couple of months and now it’s all about keeping my mind calm and playing good golf in the final round,” the 28-year-old Joubert, who represents Waterkloof Golf Club, said.

SCORES END OF ROUND 2:

138 - Richard Joubert 67 71

139 - Ian Snyman 71 68, Luke Brown 69 70, Peter Karmis 71 68, Jared Harvey 72 67, JJ Senekal 71 68

140 - Matthew Spacey 72 68, Jonathan Broomhead 69 71, Kyle McClatchie 67 73, Dylan Naidoo 66 74

141 - Makhetha Mazibuko 71 70, Lindani Ndwandwe 67 74, Kevin Rhoderick 71 70, Clinton Grobler 70 71, Jaco Prinsloo 67 74

142 - Louis Albertse 71 71, Keelan van Wyk 70 72

143 - Benjamin Follett-Smith 69 74, Rourke van der Spuy 73 70, Clayton Mansfield 73 70, Michael Hollick 68 75, Ruan Korb 72 71

144 - Brooklin Bailey 75 69, Quintin Wilsnach 72 72, Paul Boshoff 73 71, Toto Thimba Jnr 73 71, Jean Hugo 69 75, Adam Breen 71 73, Rhys West 67 77

145 - Ockie Strydom 77 68, Therion Nel 74 71, Thanda Mavundla 72 73, Doug McGuigan 72 73, Keenan Davidse 73 72, Gerhard Pepler 70 75

146 - Gregory Mckay 71 75, Combrinck Smit 76 70, Malcolm Mitchell 73 73, James Pennington 70 76, Christiaan Burke 70 76, Callum Mowat 73 73, Dayne Moore 73 73, Clancy Waugh 74 72, Hennie O'Kennedy 71 75

- Michael Vlismas

2022-10-19 19:27:16

The wind got up on the back nine but so did Dylan Naidoo as the promising young golfer soared to the top of the leaderboard after the first round of the SunBet Challenge at the Umhlali Country Club on Wednesday.

Naidoo was level-par after the front nine, but blazed his way back to the clubhouse with five birdies, picking up back-to-back shots on both the 10th and 11th holes and the last two holes of his round, for a five-under-par 66.

This left him one stroke clear of the group of six golfers on four-under-par 67 - Nikhil Rama, Kyle McClatchie, Jaco Prinsloo, Rhys West, Richard Joubert and Lindani Ndwandwe.

The patience the 24-year-old showed in not letting the back-to-back bogeys he made on the par-five fifth and par-three sixth holes lead to frustration was the most impressive aspect of his round.

"On the front nine the weather was pretty benign, but I knew the wind would pick up," Naidoo said.

"After the bogeys, you start thinking 'I'm one-over on the easy bit where there's no wind', but I was playing super-solid golf and I'd had a couple of unlucky breaks.

"So I just needed to keep playing the way I'd been playing and it all fell into place nicely on the back nine. I've been playing really well lately and it's just that final part on the scoreboard that's lacking.

"But you can't force things, you have to let the score happen. You can't take on flags that you don't need to because that just leads to compounding errors instead of multiplying birdies.

"You don't have to play perfect golf to be at the top of the leaderboard, and I've shown nice progression in understanding that. Long may it continue," Naidoo said.

ROUND 1 SCORES:

66 - Dylan Naidoo

67 - Nikhil Rama, Kyle McClatchie, Jaco Prinsloo, Rhys West, Richard Joubert, Lindani Ndwandwe

68 - Michael Hollick

69 - Stephen Ferreira, Jean Hugo, Luke Brown, Benjamin Follett-Smith, Jonathan Broomhead

70 - Christiaan Burke, Clinton Grobler, Siyanda Mwandla, Gerhard Pepler, Keelan van Wyk, James Pennington

71 - Kevin Rhoderick, Madalitso Muthiya, Keagan Thomas, JJ Senekal, Hennie O'Kennedy, Adam Breen, Makhetha Mazibuko, Ian Snyman, Peter Karmis, Louis Albertse, Divan van den Heever, Gregory Mckay

72 - Jason Froneman, Quintin Wilsnach, Thanda Mavundla, Ruan Korb, Doug McGuigan, Jared Harvey, Matthew Spacey

73 - Ruan de Smidt, Toto Thimba Jnr, Callum Mowat, Paul Boshoff, Neil Schietekat, Lyle Rowe, Steve Surry, Keenan Davidse, Dayne Moore, Jacques P de Villiers, Rourke van der Spuy, Clayton Mansfield, Malcolm Mitchell

74 - Therion Nel, Chris Cannon, Ryan Van Velzen, Clancy Waugh, Thabang Simon, Matias Calderon, Michael Kok

75 - Daniel Bennett, Martin Rohwer, Brooklin Bailey, Chris Swanepoel, SP Mthethwa

76 - Hayden Griffiths, Brandon-Jude Rennie, Maverick Faber, Nicholaus Frade, Andre Van Dyk, Combrinck Smit

77 - Henning du Plooy, Adriel Poonan, Ockie Strydom, Jake Redman, Harry Konig, Vaughn van Deventer

78 - Samuel Simpson

79 - Bradley Bawden, Richard Kruger, Ricco Motsa, Slenda Sithebe

80 - Shaahid Mahmed81 - Shalan Govender, Gareth Sargent

82 - Alphius Kelapile, James Mack

85 - Mandla Dlamini Jnr

- Michael Vlismas

2022-10-17 11:09:28

Ferreira breaks through in Blue Label Challenge

Stephen Ferreira claimed his maiden victory on the Sunshine Tour when he won the Blue Label Challenge by a single point at the Gary Player Country Club on Saturday.

Ferreira finished on a total of 38 points under the modified Stableford scoring system used for the tournament, just one clear of Luca Filippi, who pushed him all the way to the final hole.

It was Ferreira's first victory on the Sunshine Tour since he turned professional in 2011, and after a second-place finish in the SunBet Challenge at the Wild Coast Sun Country Club recently, there were signs that he was on the brink of a breakthrough.

"I'm still a bit speechless," said an emotional Ferreira who struggled to speak during the prizegiving ceremony.

"I'm glad to finally get the win. I love the Gary Player Country Club course. I come here a lot and have finally managed to tame the beast."

Ferreira's victory comes at a timely point in the Sunshine Tour season as it moves towards the big summer tournaments.

"It's huge," he said of this first win and its significance.

"I've been on the Sunshine Tour for a while and have come close a few times. You know, you doubt yourself, but I finally got the win and I'm ecstatic. Luca (Filippi) fought hard today and there were a lot of players close to me going into the final round. I knew I had to go low and make a lot of birdies, which I did. Luca pushed me over the last hole. It was nice to hole that big putt for the victory."

Pieter Moolman, who was another maiden winner on the Sunshine Tour recently, finished third on 36 points.

- Michael Vlismas

2022-10-14 20:36:19

Ferreira still the man to beat at Blue Label Challenge

Stephen Ferreira held on to the top spot on the leaderboard after the third round of the Blue Label Challenge at Gary Player Country Club on Friday, once again not paying for a couple of late bogeys.

Ferreira, who began the penultimate day leading by two points in the modified Stableford event, produced another solid round of golf with a pair of birdies on each nine, taking him to eight points for the day, but then he dropped shots, and points, with bogeys on the last two holes.

That left the Zimbabwe resident who plays under the Portuguese flag with six points for his round, taking him to a total of 30 points, still renting out that two-point lead.

Last week's winner of the Fortress Invitational at Ebotse Links, Pieter Moolman, enjoyed a fantastic day with five birdies and an eagle on the par-five fifth giving him 13 points and vaulting him into second place on 28.

Jaco Prinsloo, who is second on the Luno Order of Merit, had an even better day with five birdies and an eagle, and no dropped shots, giving him 15 points for a total of 26 heading into the final round.

Jbe' Kruger, second overnight, had a tough front nine, scoring minus-three, but bounced back after the turn with three birdies to finish with 24 points in total.

The 30-year-old Ferreira hails from Borrowdale Brook Golf Club in Harare and has 10 top-10 finishes from 136 Sunshine Tour events.

With more than R1.6 million in prize money from those performances, Ferreira will near the R2 million mark if he can hold off what are bound to be stiff challenges from Moolman, Prinsloo and Kruger, and perhaps even youngsters Jayden Schaper and Luca Filippi, who are both on 23 points.

- Michael Vlismas

2022-10-13 18:45:00

Finishing with two bogeys in the last three holes normally goes against the grain for golfers, but the nature of the modified Stableford scoring system means it was worth the risk for Stephen Ferreira and did not cost him the lead at the end of the second round of the Blue Label Challenge at the Gary Player Country Club on Thursday.

Ferreira still posted an excellent 13 points on Thursday, via a five-under-par 67, and he is two points clear of Jbe’ Kruger.

Up until his dropped shots on the par-three 16th and the par-five 18th, the 30-year-old Zimbabwe resident, who plays under the Portuguese flag, was unstoppable with five birdies and an eagle-three, worth five points, on the fifth hole.

“I’m very happy, I felt good today and played really solid golf and sank a few putts,” Ferreira said. “I was aggressive and smart.”

“My first bogey was because I took the wrong club on the par-three and was in the wrong place in the bunker and couldn’t get up-and-down. On the last hole, I had 230 to the flag and had a go because a bogey is only minus-one. It was a risky shot and I didn’t quite pull it off, but in this format, every now and then you have to take a risk.

“But on five I hit a good tee-shot in the middle of the fairway, had 237 to the flag and knew exactly which club to use, a nice floating five-wood to 10 feet and then I made the putt,” Ferreira said.

The runner-up three weeks ago in the SunBet Challenge Wild Coast event said he was grateful for Zambian golfer Madalitso Muthiya bailing him out of a putting problem he had.

“I’ve felt I’ve been playing really good golf but I just haven’t been getting a score, and that’s down to not making putts. We’re all good golfers out here, we all hit the ball well, all hit good irons, so putting is what makes the difference,” Ferreira said.

“My friend Madalitso helped me tweak something small with my putting and now I’m putting nicely.”

Kruger also notched 13 points, via seven birdies, on Thursday, only once landing in trouble when he bogeyed the par-four fourth hole.

First-round leader Brooklin Bailey dropped out of the leadership race as he scored minus-nine on Thursday, with three double-bogeys and just two birdies on his card.

ROUND 2 SCORES

24 - Stephen Ferreira 11 13

22 - Jbe' Kruger 9 13

17 - Anthony Michael 5 12, Luca Filippi 7 10

16 - MJ Viljoen 9 7

15 - Jayden Schaper 7 8, Pieter Moolman 6 9

14 - Jaco Van Zyl 10 4, Rourke van der Spuy 4 10

13 - Dylan Naidoo 2 11

12 - Jean Hugo 4 8

11 - JJ Senekal 6 5, Ryan Van Velzen 9 2, Christiaan Basson 6 5, Jaco Ahlers 2 9, Jaco Prinsloo 6 5

10 - Lyle Rowe 6 4, Rhys West 5 5, Peter Karmis 6 4, Neil Schietekat 3 7, Louis Albertse 8 2, Keith Horne 4 6, Dan Erickson 3 7

9 - Michael Kok 2 7

8 - Martin Vorster 2 6, Steve Surry 6 2, Wynand Dingle 7 1, Hennie O'Kennedy 0 8, Ockie Strydom 10 -2, Stefan Wears-Taylor 8 0, Doug McGuigan 7 (1)

7 - Jake Redman 1 6, Jared Harvey 5 2, Estiaan Conradie 1 (6)

6 - Brooklin Bailey 15 -9

5 - Therion Nel -1 6

4 - Joe Long 7 -3, Combrinck Smit 4 0, Christiaan Burke 4 0, Madalitso Muthiya 0 (4), Heinrich Bruiners -5 (9)

3 - Clinton Grobler -3 6, Keenan Davidse 4 -1, Richard Joubert 0 3, Keagan Thomas -1 4

2 - Hennie Otto -3 5, Rupert Kaminski -1 3, Ruan Korb -5 7, Dean O'Riley 0 2, Martin Rohwer 2 0, Luke Jerling -1 3

1 - Gerard du Plooy -2 3, Sean Bradley 0 1, Malcolm Mitchell -1 2, Herman Loubser 1 0

0 - Riekus Nortje -5 5, Jean-Paul Strydom -2 2, Adam Breen -2 2, Kyle Barker -5 5, Ruan Conradie -6 6

2022-10-08 21:44:15

2022-10-08 21:42:55

It’s shaping up well for Schaper atFortress Invitational

Jayden Schaper enjoyed athree-shot lead, but Makhetha Mazibuko was building a strong challenge, whendangerous weather caused the second round of the Fortress Invitational atEbotse Links to be suspended on Saturday afternoon.

Schaper,who was in a three-way tie for the lead after a first-round 65, separatedhimself on Saturday with another fine round, a five-under-par 67 lifting him to12-under for the tournament, going into Sunday’s final round.

Two birdies and a bogey on thefront nine saw Schaper reach the turn just one-under, but he blossomed on theback nine with four birdies to pull away from the field.

“I had a steady start, I washitting the ball well and I just left a couple of putts in the jaws of thehole. But I just stayed patient and it was pretty much another solid all-roundgame. It was more difficult today, the wind was up and that makes the course alot tougher,” Schaper said.

ButMazibuko is on nine-under-par, tied in second place with Richard Joubert (69),and he still has six holes to play when the second round resumes at 7am onSunday.

The 34-year-old from BloemfonteinGolf Club is three-under for his round, all three birdies coming on the frontnine.

Schaper will be chasing his firstSunshine Tour title on Sunday, with the final round being played to a two-tee,three-ball format. The 21-year-old enjoyed a prolific amateur career and itwill be remembered that he was touted as South African golf’s next big thingwhen he finished second in the 2020 Alfred Dunhill Championship at LeopardCreek.

“I guess there will be some addedpressure, but I’ll be saying to myself that there is no difference between aSunshine Tour event or an amateur tournament. It’s the same as any round ofgolf.

“Playing at my home course atEbotse will also keep me calm because I know the course well. I’m lookingforward to it, I’m going to enjoy it and if it’s my day then I’ll take it,”Schaper said.

The other first-round leaders wentbackwards on the second day, with Ockie Strydom shooting a level-par 72 andstaying on seven-under, which is now in a tie for fifth, while Clinton Grobleris four-over-par through 12 holes, having double-bogeyed his last two holes tobe nine shots off the pace.

- Michael Vlismas

2022-10-07 19:28:38

Local knowledge helps Schaper share Fortress Invitational lead

Jayden Schaper enjoyed an excellent day on his home course of Ebotse Links as all aspects of his game came through for him in a seven-under-par 65 that gave him a share of the lead with Clinton Grobler and Ockie Strydom after the first round of the Fortress Invitational on Friday.

The highly-promising Schaper began his round on the 10th hole with a birdie, and followed that up with consecutive gains on the 12th and 13th holes.

A marvellous outgoing nine holes was capped by birdies at the par-three 15th and par-five 18th, seeing him go to the turn in just 31 strokes.

Schaper picked up three more birdies in four holes from the fourth, and even a bogey at the par-three eighth could not put a damper on a superb round of golf.

"Playing on my home course is a bit of an advantage because I know where certain pins are, where to miss and which bunkers to avoid," Schaper said after his best round of the Sunshine Tour season so far.

"But you've still got to hit the ball well, hit the shots and make the putts. In the last couple of weeks, my tee-to-green play has been solid and I've been slowly getting better on the greens too.

"Today, I just played really solid golf, I made good decisions and hit some really good shots. I was consistent today," Schaper said.

The return of long-time coach Grant Veenstra from the United States may also have played a role in the impressive showing, with Schaper saying "it was the first week I've seen him in the last couple of months and it was really good to have him back to help out."

Grobler, the 28-year-old Krugersdorp golfer, also started on the 10th and began the round with three straight birdies, while bogeying the 17th and fourth holes on the way to his 65.

The highlight of his round was his eagle-three on the 18th. The in-form Strydom, from the nearby Serengeti Estate, cruised through the front nine in four-under-par, but then the rollercoaster began.

The 37-year-old bogeyed the par-four 10th, then grabbed a hat-trick of birdies from the 12th, dropped a shot at 17, but then finished spectacularly with an eagle on the last hole to vault into a share of the lead.

The leaderboard is congested, with five golfers shooting 66, including the veteran Hennie Otto, the American Dan Erickson, the amateur Kyle de Beer, as well as Makhetha Mazibuko and Richard Joubert.

Wynand Dingle, the winner of the Vodacom Origins of Golf Series San Lameer event three weeks ago, is in the group on five-under-par.

- Michael Vlismas

SCORES AT THE END OF ROUND 1:

65 - Clinton Grobler, Ockie Strydom, Jayden Schaper

66 - Makhetha Mazibuko, Hennie Otto, Richard Joubert, Kyle De Beer, Dan Erickson

67 - Wade Jacobs, Wynand Dingle, Siyanda Mwandla

68 - Stephen Ferreira, Anthony Michael, Pieter Moolman, Keagan Thomas, Quintin Wilsnach, James Kamte

69 - Kevin Rhoderick, Joe Long, Jonathan Broomhead, Toto Thimba Jnr, Thabang Simon, Callum Mowat, Matthew Spacey, Fredrik From, Bradley Bawden, Clancy Waugh, Keith Horne

70 - Desvonde Botes, Christiaan Burke, Peter Karmis, Harry Konig, Adam Breen, Kyle Barker, Jaco Van Zyl, Michael Palmer, Dylan Naidoo, Christiaan Basson, Kyle McClatchie, Neil Schietekat, Sean Cronje, Divan van den Heever, Wallie Coetsee, Steve Surry, Rupert Kaminski, Martin Rohwer, Keenan Davidse, Ryan Van Velzen, Albert Venter, Jean Hugo, Jaco Prinsloo, Sean Bradley, Ruan Conradie, Paul Boshoff, Aneurin Gounden

71 - Samuel Simpson, Martin Vorster, Rourke van der Spuy, Dylan Mostert, Ruan Korb, Jbe' Kruger, Doug McGuigan, Therion Nel, Mandla Dlamini Jnr, Adriel Poonan, Danie Van Niekerk, Jared Harvey, Herman Loubser, Malcolm Mitchell, Keelan van Wyk

72 - Rhys West, Jake Redman, Hennie O'Kennedy, Heinrich Bruiners, Stefan Wears-Taylor, Michael Kok, MJ Viljoen, Luke Jerling, Ulrich van den Berg, Merrick Bremner, Riekus Nortje, Nikhil Rama, Jastice Mashego

73 - James Mack, JJ Senekal, Madalitso Muthiya, Luca Filippi, Clayton Mansfield, Gerard du Plooy, Tristin Galant, Vaughn van Deventer, Joshua Seale, Brooklin Bailey, Estiaan Conradie, Jacques Blaauw, Ruan de Smidt, Michael Hollick

74 - Thanda Mavundla, Erhard Lambrechts, Louis Albertse, Combrinck Smit, Jordan Duminy, Andre De Decker, Franklin Manchest, Leon Vorster, Henning du Plooy

75 - CJ du Plessis, Andre Van Dyk, Lindani Ndwandwe, Brody Harbinson, Musiwalo Nethunzwi

76 - Hayden Griffiths, Gerrit Foster, Mutahi Kibugu, Lincon Denzy Cele, Keelan Africa, Maverick Faber, Chris Cannon, Dean O'Riley, Brandon-Jude Rennie

77 - Shaahid Mahmed, Irvin Mazibuko, Tumelo Molloyi, Steven Le Roux

78 - Benjamin Follett-Smith, Dwayne Basson, Jovan Rebula, Lyle Rowe

79 - James Pennington, Chris Swanepoel

81 - Brian Gondo, Evance Vukeya

82 - Jacquin Hess, Gareth Sargent

83 - Sipho Bujela

86 - Lwazi Gqira

2022-10-01 19:19:27

Golf can be a terribly cruel game at times and while leaderOckie Strydom was busy racking up a quadruple-bogey eight at the par-four 11thhole, Ruan Korb was putting the finishing touches to his brilliant round of 63by sinking yet another birdie putt on the final hole to win the Vodacom Originsof Golf St Francis Links tournament on Saturday.

Korb’s third successive birdie, to go with two-in-a-row onthe 12th and 13thholes, saw him shoot an astonishing nine-under-par in thefinal round, leaving him on 13-under-par for the tournament.

Strydom had been on 15-under before the awful shock of his eighton the 11th, and thereafter he could only par his way through to the close,settling for a level-par 72 after being four-under at the turn.

That left the37-year-old in second place on 11-under, two behind Korb.

Veteran Doug McGuigan also challenged for the title, butbogeyed the last two holes when pushing for birdies to tie Korb, with the52-year-old closing with a 71 that left him on nine-under and in third placefor the tournament.

The 28-year-old Korb admitted that it was just one of thoseidyllic days when every putt he looked at, he seemed to sink.

“I really enjoyed myself out there today, the weather wasbetter and my putting was definitely the main reason for my win, every puttjust seemed to find the bottom of the cup,” Korb said.

“My putting was certainly much better than when I finishedsecond in the SunBet Challenge Time Square in August.”

The Silver Lakes golfer, who had begun the final round sevenshots off the pace, had picked up decent momentum on the front nine with threebirdies and a bogey in his first four holes, but he really began pushing forthe title with a brilliant run that saw him eagle the par-five sixth and thenpick up shots at the next two holes.

He was now 10-under for the tournament and in strikingdistance, but his charge was reversed as he had a 15-minute delay at the ninthtee while the group in front searched for balls.

Korb lost concentration andbogeyed both nine and 10.

“I said before the round that if I could get to 14-underthen I would have a chance, but waiting on the ninth was a bit of amomentum-breaker,” Korb said.

“But after those two bogeys I just tried to get calm andsaid to my caddie that we have to do something now otherwise the win is goingto get away from us.”

Knowing he had to be positive, Korb birdied both thepar-four 12th and the par-five 13th into the westerly wind, and then, withholes 16 and 17 heading in the opposite direction, he took advantage with twomore birdies.

The three on the par-four 18th was the icing on the cake forhis second Sunshine Tour victory, his first coming at the Time Square CasinoChallenge at Wingate Park Country Club in 2020.

“It’s a big confidence-booster to win at this time of year,with the big summer events coming up,” Korb said.

- Vlismas Media

2022-10-01 19:13:44

Leaderboard

203 - Ruan Korb 7169 63

205 - OckieStrydom 66 67 72207 - DougMcGuigan 69 67 71

208 - HennieO'Kennedy 69 68 71

209 - DylanNaidoo 67 67 75

210 - BradleyBawden 72 68 70, Jayden Schaper 72 67 71, Brooklin Bailey 67 7271, Heinrich Bruiners 65 74 71, Keenan Davidse 70 67 73

212 - DanErickson 69 72 71, Christiaan Basson 73 68 71, Jaco Prinsloo 6772 73

213 - LucaFilippi 71 75 67, Wynand Dingle 72 73 68, Adam Breen 70 73 70,Hennie Otto 70 70 73, Riekus Nortje 72 67 74

214 - Jacques P deVilliers 72 73 69, Estiaan Conradie 71 71 72, MJ Viljoen 73 6972, Herman Loubser 75 67 72

215 - James Kamte 7169 75, Peter Karmis 69 70 76

216 - Therion Nel 7274 70

217 - Lyle Rowe 6977 71, Pieter Moolman 70 74 73, Kyle Barker 73 71 73, MatthewSpacey 70 72 75, Steve Surry 69 73 75, Dean O'Riley 69 70 78

218 - RupertKaminski 76 70 72, Jean Hugo 70 75 73

219 - Madalitso Muthiya 7076 73, Jacques Blaauw 75 70 74, Luke Jerling 69 70 80, JakeRedman 70 69 80

220 - WallieCoetsee 72 73 75, Sean Cronje 74 71 75, Callum Mowat 75 69 76

221 - Michael Kok 7670 75, Richard Joubert 78 68 75, Kevin Rhoderick 70 71 80

223 - Maverick Faber 7669 78

224 - AneurinGounden 72 74 78, Sean Bradley 71 74 79, Nikhil Rama 70 73 81

225 - Danie VanNiekerk 71 75 79

227 - ClancyWaugh 74 72 81

2022-09-30 20:01:19

Steady Strydom leading at St Francis

Ockie Strydom woke up on Friday morning and thought it was going to be a wet and miserable at the St Francis Links, but it ended up being a happy day for the 37-year-old as he was sitting high, and dry at the top of the leaderboard after the second round of the Vodacom Origins of Golf Series event there.

Strydom shot a five-under-par 67 on Friday to go to 11-under for the tournament, leading Dylan Naidoo, who also shot a 67, by one stroke.

"When I woke up this morning, I thought it was going to be a very wet day and driving to the course, I kept wondering if I should turn back and get my rain shoes," Strydom said.

"In the end, I didn't drive back and it was as wet as it can be when we started the round. But it actually turned into a lovely day in the end. It was overcast, but the wind largely stayed away until it came up a bit again with five holes to go on the back nine."

Strydom, who began the day one stroke off the lead, made a quiet start to his round with just a single birdie on the front nine, coming at the par-five third hole.

It was actually a bogey - his only one of the day - at the par-four 11th that gave birth to an astonishing run of five successive birdies from the 12th that gave the Serengeti Golf Estate golfer the lead.

"I made sure I played good golf into the wind, but on the first nine, I kept hitting all my putts short. Then on 11, I had a 15-foot birdie putt and I told my caddie there's no way I'm leaving it short. So I hit it eight foot past and then missed the putt coming back," Strydom explained.

"So I had a harsh little chat with myself walking to the next tee, I thought I must get something going now, take advantage of being downwind and give myself a cushion for the last hole when you're back into the wind."

Apart from Naidoo, the other golfers chasing Strydom on the final day will be Doug McGuigan (67) on eight-under-par and Hennie O'Kennedy (68) and Keenan Davidse (67) on seven-under.

Strydom has been leading many times before and he knows what he has to do.

"I'm just going to do the same as I'm doing at the moment. Try keep the ball in play and hit the greens. If I can make five putts, be five-under tomorrow then I'll be in with a good shout. I must just be patient," Strydom said.

- Michael Vlismas

SCORES:

133 - Ockie Strydom 66 67

134 - Dylan Naidoo 67 67

136 - Doug McGuigan 69 67

137 - Hennie O'Kennedy 69 68, Keenan Davidse 70 67

139 - Peter Karmis 69 70, Jake Redman 70 69, Heinrich Bruiners 65 74, Brooklin Bailey 67 72, Jaco Prinsloo 67 72, Luke Jerling 69 70, Riekus Nortje 72 67, Jayden Schaper 72 67, Dean O'Riley 69 70

140 - Ruan Korb 71 69, Bradley Bawden 72 68, Hennie Otto 70 70, James Kamte 71 69

141 - Christiaan Basson 73 68, Kevin Rhoderick 70 71, Dan Erickson 69 72

142 - Steve Surry 69 73, Herman Loubser 75 67, MJ Viljoen 73 69, Estiaan Conradie 71 71, Matthew Spacey 70 72

143 - Adam Breen 70 73, Nikhil Rama 70 73

144 - Kyle Barker 73 71, Callum Mowat 75 69, Pieter Moolman 70 74

145 - Jacques P de Villiers 72 73, Wynand Dingle 72 73, Jean Hugo 70 75, Sean Cronje 74 71, Jacques Blaauw 75 70, Sean Bradley 71 74, Maverick Faber 76 69, Wallie Coetsee 72 73

146 - Rupert Kaminski 76 70, Madalitso Muthiya 70 76, Richard Joubert 78 68, Luca Filippi 71 75, Therion Nel 72 74, Aneurin Gounden 72 74, Lyle Rowe 69 77, Danie Van Niekerk 71 75, Michael Kok 76 70, Clancy Waugh 74 72

2022-09-29 21:50:51

HeinrichBruiners grew up in George, a little more than three hours along the N2 in awesterly direction from Cape St Francis, so a little bit of blustery wind isnever going to give him grey hairs.

Soalthough the wind almost reached 30km/h on the opening day of the VodacomOrigins of Golf Series at the St Francis Links on Thursday, it was no botherfor Bruiners as he cruised to a marvellous, bogey-free, seven-under-par 65 toclaim a one-stroke lead after the first round.

Thingsbecame a little gory for the rest of the field though, with only 31 of the 83golfers ending the first day under par.

Bruiners' nearest challengers areSerengeti’s Ockie Strydom (66), and American Brooklin Bailey and a pair ofSouth Africans in Dylan Naidoo and Jaco Prinsloo on 67.

“It wasa bit windy today, but not too bad, just one or two clubs. Growing up on thecoast, I’ve played a lot of tournaments in these conditions. I tend to focus abit better because you have to be a bit more specific, otherwise it’s so easyto make a mistake in the wind.

“Butplaying in the wind feels like a bit of an advantage for me, to be honest, andI have a lower ball-flight than most,” Bruiners said.

Apart from playing what he described as his “worst two rounds for the year” in thepreceding pro-am event, Bruiners has felt that he has been playing good golf,but has committed the sin of not capitalising when it comes to his final score.

OnThursday he put that right with three birdies on his front nine as he went offon the 10th and then four more on his back nine, includingthree-in-a-row from the fourth.

“I’mvery happy because in the last while, I’ve been playing really well but I justdidn’t end off rounds the way I would like. I made a good birdie on 11 today,which is quite a tough hole, so it was nice to get off to a good start.

“Thenext few holes were also downwind and I was glad I capitalised because I wasthinking the wind was going to pick up. I hit two very good shots for birdieson the first and fourth holes.

“Thenthere were more holes into the wind coming in, but I tried to be aggressive.Last week I was in contention in the SunBet Challenge Wild Coast, but I becamea bit defensive down the stretch. So I tried to be a bit more positive today.

“Itended up being a really solid round, no drops because I made a really nice puttfor par on the seventh. It’s the first time in a while I’ve sunk a putt likethat, so it meant a lot.

“Infact this must be one of my most memorable rounds. I’ve played a few goodrounds, but this one I’ll remember,” a delighted Bruiners said.

Strydomalso started on the 10th and had a much slower start to his ascentup the leaderboard, being just one-under at the turn.

The first three holes atSt Francis Links are deceptive, but the 37-year-old birdied all three for a greatstart to his back nine.

Strydom also picked up shots on the fifth, sixth andeighth holes for a top-class round of golf.Baileyalso made a leap up the leaderboard on the front nine, also collecting fivebirdies.

Scores:

65 - Heinrich Bruiners

66 - Ockie Strydom

67 - Brooklin Bailey,Dylan Naidoo, Jaco Prinsloo

69 - Toto Thimba Jnr,Steve Surry, Dan Erickson, Luke Jerling, Lyle Rowe, Dean O'Riley, Peter Karmis,Hennie O'Kennedy, Doug McGuigan

70 - Kevin Rhoderick,Nikhil Rama, Keenan Davidse, Pieter Moolman, Hennie Otto, Matthew Spacey, JakeRedman, Jean Hugo, Adam Breen, Madalitso Muthiya

71 - Danie Van Niekerk,Estiaan Conradie, Sean Bradley, James Kamte, Ruan Korb, Dylan Mostert, LucaFilippi

72 - Aneurin Gounden,Bradley Bawden, Ryan Van Velzen, Jayden Schaper, Riekus Nortje, Wallie Coetsee,Brody Harbinson, Jacques P de Villiers, Wynand Dingle, Therion Nel

73 - MJ Viljoen, RhysWest, Kyle Barker, Christiaan Basson, JJ Senekal

74 - StefanWears-Taylor, Clancy Waugh, Louis Albertse, Makhetha Mazibuko, Sean Cronje

75 - Callum Mowat,Philip Geerts, Herman Loubser, Jacques Blaauw

76 - Dwayne Basson,Michael Kok, Maverick Faber, Mandla Dlamini Jnr, Shaahid Mahmed, RupertKaminski, Mark Williams, James Pennington

77 - Paul Boshoff,Jordan Duminy, Kyle McClatchie, Clinton Grobler, Jean-Paul Strydom

78 - Jacquin Hess, CJ duPlessis, Michael Palmer, Hayden Griffiths, Richard Joubert

79 - Fezekile Kana,Stephen Ferreira

80 - Joshua Seale

81 - Samuel Simpson,Alphius Kelapile

82 - Mark Maart, ChrisSwanepoel

83 - Alex Haindl

86 - Tumelo Molloyi

88 - Gareth Sargent

- Michael Vlismas

2022-09-23 19:08:32

Viljoen the victor at SunBet Challenge

MJ Viljoen has been through the terrible tantalisation of not winning for five years on the Sunshine Tour but feeling very close to it, so when he finally returned to the winner's podium at the SunBet Challenge on Friday, he was a little lost for words.

Viljoen, who led by one stroke going into the final round at the Wild Coast Country Club, played the steadiest of golf to seal the deal on Friday, shooting a two-under-par 68 to win by three strokes, even with a bogey at the last.

His last victory came at the Sun Fish River Challenge in 2017, but he has certainly had some near misses since then, with six top-five finishes, including being runner-up twice. Last week, he began working with a new coach in Dougie Wood.

"It's been a long time and I've just been so focused on winning again that I now don't really know what it means," Viljoen said after his triumph.

"But I'm going to enjoy it and embrace it and take the weekend to think about it.

"I've been struggling for a long time, but I kept feeling that I was so close. I made some changes in the last week and they just sparked the feeling on the course that I have been looking for for so long.

"It sounds almost magical and I think it is quite magical. It feels like the start of a new chapter," Viljoen said.

The 27-year-old had his game-plan in place from the start of the round, wanting to start well and not have to push too hard on a challenging course. Birdies on the second and third holes were like popping to the shops down the road and getting all the groceries you need.

"When I saw what the wind direction was going to be today, I thought two and three would be ideal birdie opportunities. I managed to get those birdies and then I was able to play par golf all day after that.

"It just set me up perfectly for my game-plan. I was never in trouble, I didn't really hit a bad shot. I kept it simple and kept my targets big.

"Even though it was tough on the back nine, it came easy for me and I was able to par seven of the holes and birdie the par-five 16th. On the 18thI was happy to do nothing fancy, take bogey and get out of there," Viljoen said.

Portugal's Stephen Ferreira tried valiantly to grab the win as he fired a 64 that saw him finish tied second on 10-under-par, three behind Viljoen, alongside Pieter Moolman (67).

- Michael Vlismas

2022-09-22 19:11:53

Confident Viljoen leading the pack at SunBet Challenge

A change of coach for MJ Viljoen obviously brought dividends on Thursday as the 27-year-old surged to the top of the leaderboard in the SunBet Challenge hosted by Wild Coast Sun, shooting a six-under-par 64 to go into the final round with a one-stroke lead at the Wild Coast Country Club.

Viljoen started his second round on the 10th hole and blazed his way to the turn in just 29 strokes, collecting six birdies, including three in a row from the 16th.

Although the strengthening of the wind meant his score of six-under stayed where it was on his inward nine due to one bogey, on the par-three sixth, being cancelled out by a birdie on the par-five seventh, the Serengeti Golf Estate representative had still done enough to hold off the challenge of Keenan Davidse.

Viljoen is on 11-under-par for the tournament, while Davidse had a more up-and-down day, with five birdies, three bogies and an eagle on the par-five 16th, leaving with him an excellent 66 that lifted him to 10-under overall.

“I was solid all day and I didn’t make mistakes. But I enjoyed my front nine a lot today, I was just hitting the ball so nicely and I felt in such control of things,” Viljoen said.

“And then I got a bit excited and the wind got up on my back nine and put me on the back foot a bit.

“But I’ve been struggling for a couple of years now and I just had to make a change last week because I was putting myself under so much pressure. So I worked with a different coach in Dougie Wood, just for a different perspective.

“The change obviously paid off today so I will stick with it. How I felt on the golf course was more favourable,” Viljoen said.

Viljoen, who won his only Sunshine Tour title at the Sun Fish River Challenge in 2017, said his approach in Friday’s final round will be to try and replicate his outstanding form on holes 10 to 18 on Thursday.

“I was just focused on not making any mistakes, I hit the ball good and my putting and chipping were good too. So I will go out in the final round and try do what I did on the first two days.

“The big thing is I’m not worried about the outcome because I know I’ve improved, I’ve got something out of the last couple of weeks, and that’s more than enough for me. That gives me a head start, I reckon,” Viljoen said.

Apart from Davidse, Martin Vorster and Jaco Ahlers are also chasing hard on nine-under-par after they both shot 65s on Thursday, and Madalitso Muthiya (68), Heinrich Bruiners (67), Casey Jarvis (66) and Christiaan Burke (65) are just three strokes back on eight-under.

Overnight leader Jacques Blaauw had a tough time on Thursday and just could not get going, 16 pars and two bogies leaving him with a 72 that saw him slip down to six-under-par and a tie for 13th.

SCORES:

129 - MJ Viljoen 65 64

130 - Keenan Davidse 64 66

131 - Martin Vorster 66 65, Jaco Ahlers 66 65

132 - Madalitso Muthiya 64 68, Heinrich Bruiners 65 67, Casey Jarvis 66 66, Christiaan Burke 67 65

133 - Luke Jerling 66 67, Jordan Duminy 64 69, Pieter Moolman 65 68, Jaco Van Zyl 65 68

134 - Fredrik From 67 67, Jacques Blaauw 62 72, Joe Long 67 67

135 - Michael Kok 66 69, Anthony Michael 68 67, Kyle Barker 65 70, Steve Surry 70 65, Merrick Bremner 68 67

136 - Ryan Van Velzen 66 70, Stefan Wears-Taylor 69 67, Neil Schietekat 64 72, Herman Loubser 69 67, Ockie Strydom 68 68, Clancy Waugh 71 65, Stephen Ferreira 68 68, Wynand Dingle 67 69, Luca Filippi 68 68

137 - CJ du Plessis 66 71, Harry Konig 65 72, Dwayne Basson 68 69, Malcolm Mitchell 70 67, Adam Breen 69 68, Franklin Manchest 66 71, Jean-Paul Strydom 69 68, Rourke van der Spuy 69 68, Louis Albertse 69 68

138 - Andre De Decker 71 67, Jacquin Hess 67 71, Sean Bradley 69 69, Keelan van Wyk 65 73

Missed the cut:

139 - Paul Boshoff 65 74, Rhys West 68 71, Clinton Grobler 70 69, Vaughn van Deventer 71 68, Keagan Thomas 70 69, Martin Rohwer 69 70, Matthew Spacey 69 70, Brody Harbinson 67 72, Hennie O'Kennedy 68 71, Combrinck Smit 69 70, Wallie Coetsee 68 71, Jovan Rebula 68 71, Colin Nel 69 70, Richard Joubert 70 69, Makhetha Mazibuko 71 68, Luke Brown 65 74

140 - Erhard Lambrechts 70 70, Kevin Rhoderick 70 70, Michael Hollick 68 72, Jared Harvey 72 68

141 - Clayton Mansfield 72 69, Brooklin Bailey 70 71, Dean O'Riley 72 69, Quintin Wilsnach 71 70, Doug McGuigan 71 70, Hayden Griffiths 74 67, Jacques P de Villiers 71 70

142 - Leon Vorster 71 71, Mutahi Kibugu 73 69, Ruan de Smidt 73 69, Lindani Ndwandwe 72 70, Bradley Bawden 71 71 143 - Gerard du Plooy 71 72, Joshua Seale 73 70, Dylan Naidoo 71 72, Basil Wright Jr 70 73, Musiwalo Nethunzwi 71 72, Sentanio Minnie 71 72, Jake Redman 69 74, Therion Nel 71 72, Nikhil Rama 71 72, Danie Van Niekerk 76 67

144 - Pierre Pellegrin 76 68, Callum Mowat 74 70, Alex Haindl 69 75

145 - James Pennington 71 74, Kyle McClatchie 72 73, Sean Cronje 71 74

146 - Mandla Dlamini Jnr 73 73, Aneurin Gounden 72 74, Thanda Mavundla 72 74

147 - Matthew Rushton 77 70 148 - Steven Le Roux 69 79, Maverick Faber 71 77

150 - Adriel Poonan 76 74, Henning du Plooy 74 76

151 - Divan van den Heever 75 76, Siyanda Mwandla 74 77

152 - Slenda Sithebe 74 78, Tumelo Molloyi 78 74

157 - Evance Vukeya 75 82

158 - Lwazi Gqira 80 78, SP Mthethwa 75 83 RTD - Jason Smith 69 RTD

- Michael Vlismas

2022-09-21 19:45:02

Blaauw blitzes Wild Coast with 62

Jacques Blaauw was in inspired form on the opening day of the SunBet Challenge hosted by the Wild Coast Sun at the Wild Coast Country Club on Wednesday, his eight-under-par 62 putting him in a two-stroke lead.

Two eagles and eight birdies, meaning successive bogeys on the ninth and 10th holes barely mattered, saw Blaauw go to the 18th tee with the legendary 59 in his sights. But after a good drive, he misjudged the wind and his second shot was on-target but way short.

So Blaauw ended with a double-bogey six, but he was still two ahead of four golfers who shot excellent 64s – Jordan Duminy, Neil Schietekat, Keenan Davidse and Madalitso Muthiya.

"On the last hole, I knew walking up the fairway that a birdie would give me a 59. But I didn’t feel under any pressure and I hit a good second shot but it was just way short,” Blaauw said.

“I played for nine metres past the hole but I was about 20 yards short, so we must have misjudged the wind. But it was good fun and I obviously played some unbelievable golf.

“It all started with me holing out for eagle on the second hole from 46 yards, and then a nice birdie at three meant I went on a roll, I just didn’t miss a shot.

“I played some unbelievable irons into the greens, birdieing three of the par-threes, and my tee-shot on the eighth was my shot of the day – the flag was on the left by the water and I hit an eight-iron 174 yards to three feet,” Blaauw said.

The 36-year-old, who has won four times on the Sunshine Tour, missed his last two cuts, so Wednesday’s phenomenal round marked a spectacular return to form.

“It’s very weird, I actually felt before my round that my luck was going to turn. I feel I’ve been playing good golf, but I just couldn’t get it all together in a round,” Blaauw said.

“With my coach Eugene Schwartz, we’ve been working on getting my body moving better. It’s also about getting sharp around the greens, you need those up-and-downs and I did not miss many today.”

Schietekat was in the same three-ball as Blaauw and was also on fire on Wednesday and was seven-under through 15 holes, but then he double-bogeyed the par-five 16th. He did well to bounce back from that shock, his first dropped shots of the day, and birdied the par-three 17th to ensure he joined the four-way tie for second.

And there are another nine golfers tied for sixth after shooting five-under-par 65s, including veteran Jaco van Zyl, who won two weeks ago up the coast at Selborne.

SCORES:

62 - Jacques Blaauw

64 - Jordan Duminy, Neil Schietekat, Keenan Davidse, Madalitso Muthiya

65 - Pieter Moolman, Heinrich Bruiners, Keelan van Wyk, Luke Brown, Jaco Van Zyl, Paul Boshoff, Harry Konig, MJ Viljoen, Kyle Barker

66 - Franklin Manchest, Jaco Ahlers, Casey Jarvis, Ryan Van Velzen, Michael Kok, Martin Vorster, CJ du Plessis, Luke Jerling

67 - Jacquin Hess, Wynand Dingle, Christiaan Burke, Joe Long, Fredrik From, Brody Harbinson

68 - Michael Hollick, Stephen Ferreira, Luca Filippi, Merrick Bremner, Rhys West, Ockie Strydom, Anthony Michael, Dwayne Basson, Wallie Coetsee, Hennie O'Kennedy, Jovan Rebula

69 - Steven Le Roux, Adam Breen, Jake Redman, Alex Haindl, Jean-Paul Strydom, Sean Bradley, Rourke van der Spuy, Louis Albertse, Jason Smith, Stefan Wears-Taylor, Martin Rohwer, Herman Loubser, Matthew Spacey, Combrinck Smit, Colin Nel

70 - Basil Wright Jr, Steve Surry, Richard Joubert, Clinton Grobler, Keagan Thomas, Brooklin Bailey, Malcolm Mitchell, Kevin Rhoderick, Erhard Lambrechts

71 - Musiwalo Nethunzwi, Sentanio Minnie, Sean Cronje, Doug McGuigan, James Pennington, Jacques P de Villiers, Maverick Faber, Therion Nel, Nikhil Rama, Makhetha Mazibuko, Bradley Bawden, Gerard du Plooy, Leon Vorster, Vaughn van Deventer, Clancy Waugh, Andre De Decker, Dylan Naidoo, Quintin Wilsnach

72 - Kyle McClatchie, Thanda Mavundla, Jared Harvey, Clayton Mansfield, Aneurin Gounden, Dean O'Riley, Lindani Ndwandwe

73 - Mutahi Kibugu, Ruan de Smidt, Mandla Dlamini Jnr, Joshua Seale

74 - Slenda Sithebe, Hayden Griffiths, Siyanda Mwandla, Callum Mowat, Henning du Plooy

75 - Evance Vukeya, SP Mthethwa, Divan van den Heever

76 - Danie Van Niekerk, Pierre Pellegrin, Adriel Poonan

77 - Matthew Rushton

78 - Tumelo Molloyi

80 - Lwazi Gqira

2022-09-17 16:48:08

Dingle breaks through with Vodacom Origins win

Wynand Dingle finally has his maiden Sunshine Tour title to his name with a thrilling victory in the Vodacom Origins of Golf Series San Lameer event, as the challenges of Jaco Prinsloo and Sean Bradley died in the closing holes on Saturday.

Dingle shot a scintillating six-under-par 66 to finish on 16-under-par for the tournament, one stroke ahead of Prinsloo, who also fired a 66 but paid the price for only being able to par the last three holes, following a streak of three successive birdies from the 13th.

The 38-year-old Dingle, meanwhile, picked up a crucial birdie on the par-five 17th, having also birdied the par-four 15th.

Earlier, Bradley, who began eagle-birdie for a phenomenal start and then picked up two more shots on the front nine, had taken the lead on 15-under with back-to-back birdies on the 12th and 13thholes.

But disaster then struck for the 27-year-old from Royal Cape Golf Club as he left the par-three 14th hole with a triple-bogey six. It killed his challenge and he ended with a three-under 69 to finish four strokes back on 12-under-par.

The day belonged to Dingle, however, who, despite several close misses and the frustration that brings, peacefully went about nailing down his first win in his 192nd Sunshine Tour event.

The Silver Lakes Country Club golfer dropped just one shot on the final day, at the par-four seventh, and despite the pressure put on him by both Prinsloo and Bradley when they were running hot, Dingle kept his cool superbly during the closing holes.

Overnight leader Danie van Niekerk had a tough day, capped by a double-bogey seven at the 17th, to finish with a 75 that dropped him into a tie for seventh place on eight-under with Harry Konig (67), Luke Jerling (69), Herman Loubser (69) and Rourke van der Spuy (71).

Malcolm Mitchell (67) and Luca Filippi (68) enjoyed excellent final rounds as they climbed into a share of fifth on nine-under, while Rupert Kaminski was alone in fourth on 10-under-par after shooting a 69 on Saturday.

- Michael Vlismas

Final scores:

200 - Wynand Dingle 66 68 66

201 - Jaco Prinsloo 68 67 66

204 - Sean Bradley 66 69 69

206 - Rupert Kaminski 68 69 69

207 - Malcolm Mitchell 69 71 67, Luca Filippi 69 70 68

208 - Harry Konig 73 68 67, Luke Jerling 70 69 69, Herman Loubser 66 73 69, Rourke van der Spuy 69 68 71, Danie Van Niekerk 67 66 75

209 - MJ Viljoen 72 69 68, Lyle Rowe 69 70 70, Pieter Moolman 71 68 70, Merrick Bremner 66 71 72, Joe Long 71 66 72

210 - Adam Breen 70 72 68, Combrinck Smit 68 72 70, Neil Schietekat 70 70 70, Albert Venter 67 72 71, Stefan Wears-Taylor 67 70 73

211 - Jacques P de Villiers 70 70 71, Christiaan Basson 68 71 72, Jaco Ahlers 71 68 72

212 - Martin Vorster 69 73 70, Richard Joubert 72 69 71, Heinrich Bruiners 69 72 71, Ockie Strydom 66 73 73, Wallie Coetsee 68 71 73, Doug McGuigan 66 73 73, Jason Smith 72 66 74

213 - Keenan Davidse 69 72 72, Anthony Michael 70 70 73, Hayden Griffiths 68 69 76

214 - Michael Hollick 70 71 73, Kyle Barker 69 71 74, Andre De Decker 70 70 74

216 - Jaco Van Zyl 70 72 74, Lindani Ndwandwe 72 70 74

217 - Jared Harvey 73 69 75, Divan van den Heever 72 70 75

219 - Nikhil Rama 70 72 77

2022-09-16 19:16:22

Van Niekerk grabs Vodacom Origins lead in San Lameer

A tip from his friend and close challenger Sean Bradley has seen Danie van Niekerk take a one-shot lead into the final round of the Vodacom Origins of Golf Series San Lameer event on Friday, with the Lichtenburg golfer taking an 11-under-par total into the weekend.

Van Niekerk shot a six-under-par 66 on Friday, the joint best round of the day, to go with his five-under 67 on the opening day, in a remarkable turnaround in form.

The 34-year-old has missed his last three cuts, making it eight missed paydays in total this season.

"I felt last week that I played very poorly, but my friend Sean Bradley helped me a lot on Monday and Tuesday this week," Van Niekerk said.

"So now I'm just hitting my small fade again and I've stopped trying to hit the ball both ways.

"San Lameer Country Club does suit me because I don't really hit it long, but I just focus on keeping the ball in play, but the big thing is I found my swing again.

"I started quite slowly today with four pars, but then I picked it up with four birdies in a row from the fifth. I'm very happy with the way I played, although I got a bit nervous on the last couple of holes and bogeyed the last.

"It's the first time I'm leading a Sunshine Tour event and it feels good. I'm pretty excited about the final round and I will have the exact same game-plan: Just try and keep it in play and make some putts," Van Niekerk said.

Wynand Dingle shared the overnight lead on six-under-par and he roared to nine-under early in the second round by birdieing three of his first four holes, having teed off on the 10th.

He suffered the frustration of dropping a shot at the par-five 17th, but three more birdies on the front nine saw climb to 11-under. But then there was more frustration with a bogey on the par-three ninth hole, his last.

The 38-year-old Dingle goes into the final round just a shot off Van Niekerk's lead and has been rampant in terms of consistency this season - he has made eight successive cuts now and has seven top-20 finishes in 11 events.

His hopes of a maiden Sunshine Tour win have so far been thwarted, but he will be focused on stopping that on Saturday.

Bradley is in a tie for third, two shots back on nine-under, with Jaco Prinsloo, who raced up the leaderboard with a 67 on Friday.

Bradley's 69 was a continuation of the good form he showed in finishing third in the Gary and Vivienne Player Challenge last weekend at Selborne Park Golf Club and the 66 he shot in the first round at San Lameer.

Of the other golfers who shared the first-round lead, Ockie Strydom endured a disappointing day with just two birdies and three bogeys seeing him slip down into a tie for 12th on five-under; a double-bogey on the par-three 16th saw Herman Loubser also shoot a 73 to lie five-under, and Doug McGuigan also posted a 73 to be in that tie.

But the biggest exasperation of all was Matthew Spacey's as he crashed to a five-over 77 and finished on one-under to miss the cut by a stroke. Double-bogeys on the fourth and seventh holes were his downfall.

- Michael Vlismas

133 - Danie Van Niekerk 67 66

134 - Wynand Dingle 66 68

135 - Jaco Prinsloo 68 67, Sean Bradley 66 69

137 - Joe Long 71 66, Rourke van der Spuy 69 68, Hayden Griffiths 68 69, Merrick Bremner 66 71, Stefan Wears-Taylor 67 70, Rupert Kaminski 68 69

138 - Jason Smith 72 66

139 - Luca Filippi 69 70, Doug McGuigan 66 73, Jaco Ahlers 71 68, Wallie Coetsee 68 71, Christiaan Basson 68 71, Ockie Strydom 66 73, Pieter Moolman 71 68, Herman Loubser 66 73, Albert Venter 67 72, Lyle Rowe 69 70, Luke Jerling 70 69

140 - Jacques P de Villiers 70 70, Neil Schietekat 70 70, Andre De Decker 70 70, Anthony Michael 70 70, Combrinck Smit 68 72, Kyle Barker 69 71, Malcolm Mitchell 69 71

141 - Keenan Davidse 69 72, MJ Viljoen 72 69, Heinrich Bruiners 69 72, Harry Konig 73 68, Michael Hollick 70 71, Richard Joubert 72 69

142 - Lindani Ndwandwe 72 70, Divan van den Heever 72 70, Jared Harvey 73 69, Adam Breen 70 72, Nikhil Rama 70 72, Jaco Van Zyl 70 72, Martin Vorster 69 73

2022-09-15 19:50:29

Merrick Bremner’s front nine was littered with birdies and bogeys as he took the route less travelled into a share of the lead after the first round of the Vodacom Origins of Golf San Lameer on Thursday.

Bremner finished with an excellent 66 to share the lead on six-under-par with six other golfers, but none of Wynand Dingle, Ockie Strydom, Herman Loubser, Matthew Spacey, Doug McGuigan or Sean Bradley made quite as dramatic a start to their round as Bremner.

The 36-year-old from Bremner made par on the 498-metre par-five first hole, but then the rollercoaster ride began with two birdies being followed by a bogey at the par-three fourth, another pair of birdies before a second dropped shot on the par-four seventh, and then a birdie-four and a birdie-two to go out in just 32 strokes.

Bremner’s back nine was far more sedate as he was bogey-free and picked up back-to-back birdies on the par-four 12th and par-five 13th holes.

“It was definitely quite an eventful front nine,” Bremner agreed.

“But it was tricky because I would hit a good shot and still end up with bogey, but I gave myself lots of chances.

“I’m definitely very pleased with the round because I had a couple of weeks off and it was nice to return in a rich vein of form,” Bremner said.

A man as experienced in coastal conditions as Bremner, who grew up in Durban and has won down the road at the Wild Coast Sun and in the 2019 Vodacom Origins of Golf Series event at Humewood, was not going to be troubled by the wind on Thursday, which in any case was more predictable than the blustery gales that blew on Wednesday.

“I wasn’t too fazed by the wind blowing, even though it was weird – it felt stronger than it was. But I like it when it blows a bit, it separates the field.

“I just execute my game plan and take what comes. I definitely feel like my game is trending in the right direction, and it seems I now have the right mix in terms of when to play and when to rest,” Bremner said.

Strydom had the chance to finish the day as the sole leader on seven-under-par, but he bogeyed the par-three ninth hole, his last. Spacey, the 31-year-old from Dainfern, started birdie-birdie but then finished twice as well with four successive birdies from the 15th hole to shoot up the leaderboard into the seven-way tie for the lead.

Scores at End of Round 1

66 - Wynand Dingle, Ockie Strydom, Herman Loubser, Matthew Spacey, Doug McGuigan, Merrick Bremner, Sean Bradley

67 - Stefan Wears-Taylor, Albert Venter, Danie Van Niekerk

68 - Callum Mowat, Wallie Coetsee, Christiaan Basson, Combrinck Smit, Rupert Kaminski, Jaco Prinsloo, Hayden Griffiths

69 - Rhys West, Kyle Barker, Louis Albertse, Lyle Rowe, Heinrich Bruiners, Kyle McClatchie, Malcolm Mitchell, Martin Vorster, Rourke van der Spuy, Keenan Davidse, Luca Filippi

70 - Nikhil Rama, Bradley Bawden, Anthony Michael, Luke Jerling, Jaco Van Zyl, Michael Hollick, James Pennington, Jacques P de Villiers, Neil Schietekat, Adam Breen, Andre De Decker

71 - Clayton Mansfield, Dwayne Basson, Joshua Seale, Pieter Moolman, Jake Redman, JJ Senekal, Clinton Grobler, Gerard du Plooy, Joe Long, Jaco Ahlers, Jean-Paul Strydom, Michael Kok

72 - Aneurin Gounden, Dean O'Riley, MJ Viljoen, Jason Smith, Richard Joubert, Karabo Mokoena, Lindani Ndwandwe, Divan van den Heever, Hennie Otto, Luke Brown, Jean Hugo

73 - Paul Boshoff, Keelan van Wyk, Hennie O'Kennedy, Harry Konig, Brooklin Bailey, Adriel Poonan, Franklin Manchest, Jared Harvey, Martin Rohwer

74 - Mutahi Kibugu, Maverick Faber, Jacques Blaauw, Vaughn van Deventer, Casey Jarvis, Regan Steyn

75 - Jacquin Hess, Michael Palmer, Henning du Plooy, Ryan Van Velzen, Estiaan Conradie, Chris Cannon, Quintin Wilsnach

76 - Dylan Mostert, Pierre Pellegrin, Sean Cronje, Chris Swanepoel, Toto Thimba Jnr, Ruan Conradie, Fredrik From, CJ du Plessis, Keagan Thomas, Jeremy Fuchs

77 - Kevin Rhoderick, Jordan Duminy, Mandla Dlamini Jnr, Simon du Plooy, Ruan Korb, Riekus Nortje, Thanda Mavundla, Evance Vukeya, Christiaan Burke

78 - Brody Harbinson, Musiwalo Nethunzwi, Siyanda Mwandla, Ruan de Smidt, Leon Vorster

79 - Steven Le Roux

80 - SP Mthethwa

81 - Slenda Sithebe, Therion Nel, Lwazi Gqira

82 - Alex Haindl

84 - Erhard Lambrechts

2022-09-10 18:20:10

Van Zyl breaks longstanding win drought at Selborne

Jacovan Zyl is close to getting back to his best as he ended a six-and-a-half yearwinning drought by claiming the Gary and Vivienne Player Challenge title atSelborne Park Golf Club on Saturday.

VanZyl began the final round with a one-stroke lead and finished strongly to shoota three-under-par 69 and post a 14-under-par winning total, finishing two shotsclear of Hennie Otto.

Ina thrilling finish, Otto was close behind but a bogey at the par-four 13th andthen a string of pars coming in saw the veteran fall just short after a finalday 70.

SeanBradley also flirted with the lead, but a double-bogey six at the penultimatehole put paid to his chances, a birdie at the last seeing him claim third placeon his own on 11-under after finishing with a 69.

PieterMoolman pushed hard too, but a pair of double-bogeys on the back nine saw himfinish in a tie for fourth on 10-under with Jaco Ahlers (68).

VanZyl gave them all a sniff when he faltered with a bogey at the par-four 14th,but he showed his composure of old as he then birdied the par-three 15th andthen followed up with another birdie on the 17th.

"Iwas playing nicely the whole time and I felt I was hitting really good puttsbut they just weren’t going in," Van Zyl said.

"I actually made a seven-footerfor bogey on 14, and it sounds strange, but that got me some momentum.

"On15 I sank a big putt that turned 15 feet off the left and that really got theconfidence going. Then I hit a great wedge on 17 to about two feet, and to havea two-shot lead on the 18th hole is always nice.

"I'mover the moon with the win, it's been a rocky road and I've been fighting a lotof demons. So it’s a real sense of accomplishment. In golf, it’s a case of howwell you are doing both on and off the course, and I can sense I am on theright track," VanZyl said after his 16th Sunshine Tour win and his first titlesince triumphing at the Eye of Africa PGA Championship in February 2016.

Towin an event bearing the Gary Player name was also a tremendous joy for43-year-old Van Zyl.

"Garywas our team captain at the Rio Olympics in 2016, which was very special forme. I spent quite a bit of time talking with him in Rio and it’s really nice tonow win his tournament," Van Zyl said.

VanZyl is now up to 14th in the Luno Order of Merit and is goingto be taking renewed confidence into the lucrative summer events on tour.

Scores:

202 - Jaco Van Zyl 68 65 69

204 - Hennie Otto 66 68 70

205 - Sean Bradley 65 71 69206 - Jaco Ahlers 67 71 68, Pieter Moolman 66 69 71207 - Kyle McClatchie 71 70 66, Louis Albertse 71 6967, Brooklin Bailey 64 72 71208 - Stefan Wears-Taylor 68 73 67, Neil Schietekat 7068 70, Jared Harvey 67 70 71, Albert Venter 65 70 73

209 - Martin Vorster 71 70 68, Wynand Dingle 68 72 69,Nikhil Rama 69 70 70, Daniel Bennett 73 64 72

210 - Rourke van der Spuy 70 72 68, Ryan Van Velzen 6973 68, Lyle Rowe 72 70 68, Herman Loubser 74 67 69, FredrikFrom 68 72 70, Kyle De Beer 66 72 72

212 - Keagan Thomas 72 70 70, Sean Cronje 66 76 70,Combrinck Smit 67 75 70, Anthony Michael 68 74 70, CaseyJarvis 69 72 71, Luca Filippi 71 67 74

213 - Ruan Conradie 69 73 71, Clinton Grobler 69 73 71,Colin Nel 70 70 73

214 - Toto Thimba Jnr 69 72 73, Richard Joubert 71 7073, Ruan de Smidt 70 70 74

215 - Divan van den Heever 70 72 73, Ruan Korb 65 7674, Chris Cannon 69 72 74, Quintin Wilsnach 71 70 74, DeanO'Riley 68 72 75, Martin Rohwer 67 72 76

216 - Christiaan Basson 70 71 75218 - Callum Mowat 72 70 76

220 - Erhard Lambrechts 71 71 78, Jacquin Hess 69 72 79

221 - Riekus Nortje 70 72 79

2022-09-09 19:40:26

Van Zyl feeling right at home in lead

First-round leader Brooklin Bailey spoke about feeling comfortable on the Bermuda Grass of the Selborne Park Golf Club and feeling right at home was also the author of Jaco van Zyl's success on Friday as he claimed the lead after the second round of the Gary & Vivienne Player Challenge.

Van Zyl fired a tremendous seven-under-par 65 on Friday to go into the final round on 11-under-par, one stroke ahead of another multiple Sunshine Tour winner in Hennie Otto.

The 43-year-old Van Zyl has played the short, but challenging Selborne course many times, having previously lived further down the South Coast in Port Shepstone.

"I lived in Port Shepstone for five years after school and I won provincial tournaments here, so I have good memories. It's a great golf course and it suits me down to the ground. You don't need to bomb the ball 350 metres here, you just keep it in position and manage your way around," Van Zyl said.

The Pretoria-born golfer, who shot 68 in the first round to trail Bailey by four strokes, made the ideal start to his second round as he birdied the first three holes. He parred his way to the turn and then went right back on to script with three birdies in four holes from the 10th.

A three-putt on the sloping par-three 15th green cost him a bogey, but Van Zyl finished strong by birdieing the 16th and 18th holes.

"You need to capitalise on the first few holes here, fortunately I did that and then I knew that there was a low score out there. On 15 there was just a very tough flag right on the slope, and even though I hit the ball pin-high and made what I thought was a good putt, the ball still went six feet down the hill and I missed that one coming back," Van Zyl said.

The Benoni resident made a bungle of his last two Sunshine Tour events, missing the cut at the SunBet Challenge Time Square and the Vodacom Origins of Golf Highland Gate, but he made a strong start to the season with three top-20 finishes before that.

Van Zyl has been through a tough time over the last couple of years, but he felt that Friday's 65 was the first time in a while that his score has reflected how well he has been hitting the ball.

"I've been struggling for the last couple of years with injuries and some personal issues, but now it all seems to be falling into place. My game has been there, but my scores just haven't reflected it. But that's what makes this game so challenging: You think you're heading in the right direction, but then you find yourself on a dirt road for a couple of weeks. So it was nice to be back on the tar today, and hopefully, that will become a double-lane road and then a four-lane highway soon," Van Zyl chuckled.

Otto started his round on the 10th, and an eagle-two on the par-four 18th hole saw him go out in 32, but the veteran dropped three shots on the front nine to finish with a 68. But he is right in the mix on 10-under-par, as are Pieter Moolman (69) and the in-form Albert Venter (70) on nine-under.

Bailey also started on the 10th and birdied the par-three 11th hole, before back-to-back bogeys on 12 and 13 set him back.

The American would go on to drop five more shots, including a double-bogey on the par-four eighth, but he also collected six more birdies to finish with a 72 and share fifth place on eight-under, just three strokes back, with Sean Bradley (71).

Scores:

133 - Jaco Van Zyl 68 65

134 - Hennie Otto 66 68

135 - Pieter Moolman 66 69, Albert Venter 65 70

136 - Brooklin Bailey 64 72, Sean Bradley 65 71

137 - Daniel Bennett 73 64, Jared Harvey 67 70

138 - Kyle De Beer 66 72, Neil Schietekat 70 68, Jaco Ahlers 67 71, Luca Filippi 71 67

139 - Nikhil Rama 69 70, Martin Rohwer 67 72

140 - Dean O'Riley 68 72, Louis Albertse 71 69, Wynand Dingle 68 72, Ruan de Smidt 70 70, Fredrik From 68 72, Colin Nel 70 70

141 - Martin Vorster 71 70, Richard Joubert 71 70, Quintin Wilsnach 71 70, Jacquin Hess 69 72, Stefan Wears-Taylor 68 73, Herman Loubser 74 67, Chris Cannon 69 72, Toto Thimba Jnr 69 72, Casey Jarvis 69 72, Kyle McClatchie 71 70, Ruan Korb 65 76, Christiaan Basson 70 71

142 - Callum Mowat 72 70, Clinton Grobler 69 73, Erhard Lambrechts 71 71, Riekus Nortje 70 72, Lyle Rowe 72 70, Anthony Michael 68 74, Combrinck Smit 67 75, Sean Cronje 66 76, Ryan Van Velzen 69 73, Rourke van der Spuy 70 72, Ruan Conradie 69 73, Keagan Thomas 72 70, Divan van den Heever 70 72

2022-09-08 20:21:51

Texan Bailey leads in Selborne

American Brooklin Baileyshattered the peace at the Selborne Park Golf Club on Thursday with athunderous start as he cruised to a 64 and the first-round lead in the Gary& Vivienne Player Challenge.

Baileyeagled the par-five first hole on the course adjoining the Indian Ocean andthen picked up birdies on the next two holes for a phenomenal four-under startthrough three holes, and although his run was ended by a bogey at the par-threefourth, he parred his way through to the turn.

The28-year-old then cruised through the back nine in five-under 31 to post aneight-under-par 64, finishing the first day one shot ahead of the South Africantrio of Ruan Korb, Sean Bradley and Albert Venter.

Thedropped shot on the fourth hole was Bailey’s only blemish as he collected sevenbirdies and an eagle to post his lowest round since joining the Sunshine Tourlast year.

Baileysaid after his round that he just felt right at home from the get-go in theR1.2 million event.

“It’sthe Bermuda Grass for me, we play on it in Texas and I just love it, myconfidence just gets higher when I’m on it. Playing in the wind is alsosomething we do a lot of in Texas, so all-in-all it was helpful for me,” Baileysaid.

“Youneed to be patient on the Selborne course and I like that as well, but I alsolike being able to give it a go when you can. I like to know you can push itwhen you want to as well.

“I’vejust fallen in love with the Sunshine Tour, I think there are greatopportunities here. The tour does a fantastic job of providing opportunities toadvance our careers. Everyone here just wants to see you thrive and it’shealthy competition.”

Thetournament is a tribute to the late wife of South Africa’s greatest golfer andthe continuation of Gary and Vivienne Player’s legacy through the work of theirfoundation.

Baileyfeels a connection to the nine-time Major champion and recognises the lustre ofthe event bearing the Player name.

“Iactually watched Gary, Jack Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer play the Par-ThreeTournament at Augusta for the last time together, so to be in contention inthis event, attached to a golfer like Gary, is amazing.

“Itmakes me really want to sketch my own name in golfing history as well,” Baileysaid.

Scores:

64- Brooklin Bailey

65- Ruan Korb, Sean Bradley, Albert Venter

66- Hennie Otto, Gerard du Plooy, Pieter Moolman, Sean Cronje, Kyle De Beer

67- Jaco Ahlers, Martin Rohwer, Jared Harvey, Michael Palmer, Combrinck Smit

68- Michael Kok, Keith Horne, Fredrik From, Dayne Moore, Dean O'Riley, StefanWears-Taylor, Jaco Van Zyl, Anthony Michael, Wynand Dingle, Reinhardt Blaauw

69- Toto Thimba Jnr, Casey Jarvis, Ryan Van Velzen, Keenan Davidse, RuanConradie, Clinton Grobler, Jacquin Hess, Nikhil Rama, Chris Cannon

70- Christiaan Basson, Rourke van der Spuy, Neil Schietekat, Ruan de Smidt, Divanvan den Heever, Colin Nel, Matias Calderon, Riekus Nortje, Jake Redman, HarryKonig, Pierre Pellegrin

71- Yubin Jung, Kyle McClatchie, Henning du Plooy, Madalitso Muthiya, MichaelHollick, Jean Hugo, Clancy Waugh, Luca Filippi, Andre De Decker, MartinVorster, Richard Joubert, Quintin Wilsnach, Erhard Lambrechts, HeinrichBruiners, Louis Albertse

72- Lindani Ndwandwe, Alex Haindl, Jaco Prinsloo, Keagan Thomas, Regan Steyn,Adam Breen, Chris Swanepoel, Doug McGuigan, Callum Mowat, Lyle Rowe, OckieStrydom, Vaughn van Deventer

73- Matthew Spacey, Danie Van Niekerk, Jacques Blaauw, Luke Jerling, DanielBennett, JJ Senekal, Kyle Barker, Dylan Mostert, Jason Smith, Jordan Duminy,Clayton Mansfield

74- Luke Brown, Estiaan Conradie, Jean-Paul Strydom, Siyanda Mwandla, Keelan vanWyk, Herman Loubser, Joshua Seale

75- Andre Van Dyk, Rhys West, Paul Boshoff, Malcolm Mitchell, Aneurin Gounden,Joe Long

76- Hayden Griffiths, Rupert Kaminski, Bradley Bawden, MJ Viljoen

77- Wallie Coetsee, Therion Nel

78- Christiaan Burke, Jacques P de Villiers, Lincon Denzy Cele

79- Jeremy Fuchs

80- Leon Vorster, Dwayne Basson

81- Maverick Faber

83- Mutahi Kibugu

2022-08-29 09:37:54

Michael seals Vodacom Origins title

After 12 years on tour and more than his fair share of close calls, heartache and injuries, Anthony Michael finally claimed his first victory on the Sunshine Tour in the Vodacom Origins of Golf at Highland Gate Golf and Trout Estate on Saturday.

Michael signed for a final round of 69 to win on 10 under par, one shot clear of Herman Loubser and Wynand Dingle. Dingle had a four-foot putt on the last to force a playoff with Michael but missed.

"I'm over the moon. After so many years and so many runner-up finishes, I felt like I wasn't carrying just a monkey on my back anymore. It felt like a gorilla," said a relieved Michael.

Even as he stood on the 18th green with Dingle about to putt, Michael was steeling himself for another missed opportunity.

"I've been in that position so many times where I've missed a putt and given away the tournament. So I was preparing myself for the playoff. When Wynand missed there was just massive relief."

The victory comes after a tough period in which Michael has battled his way through a painful elbow injury and the recovery process.

"I was playing through the pain up to the point where I could barely hold a golf club anymore. I went for treatment and it put me out for four months. It was a tough time because this is how I earn a living, so it put a lot of pressure on me.

"I'm also getting married in two months' time, so there were those financial considerations as well. But my sponsor Betway has been unbelievable in their support of me.

"I'm just so relieved. I've seen all my friends on the Sunshine Tour win, and after 12 years of being on tour, you wonder if it will ever happen."

- Michael Vlismas

2022-08-26 18:36:25

Dingle, Smit and Michael share Vodacom Origins lead in Dullstroom

Wynand Dingle, a man with a talent for playing a guitar and golf equally well, is hunting his maiden Sunshine Tour victory as he heads into Saturday's final round tied for the lead with Combrinck Smit and Anthony Michael at the Highland Gate Golf and Trout Estate.

Dingle singed for a 69 at Highland Gate on Friday to climb to seven under par, joining overnight leader Smit (70) and Michael (69) in a share of the lead.

They are two strokes clear of the group of Jaco Prinsloo, Jacques Blaauw, James Hart du Preez and Brooklin Bailey.

Jean Hugo, a record 11-time champion on the Vodacom Origins of Golf series, is just three strokes off the lead. He's joined there by Herman Loubser, who scored a hole-in-one during his 69 on Friday.

Of the three leaders, Dingle is an intriguing prospect going into the final round. He is tantalisingly close to a breakthrough win on the Sunshine Tour.

He challenged for the Zim Open in May before a triple bogey on the 17th saw him finish ninth. Then he finished tied third in the eSwatini Nkonyeni Challenge in July to further fuel his belief that a win is close.

"I've been playing well for quite some time but haven't managed to put it together in tournament golf," Dingle said.

"I play a lot of social golf with my friends on the Sunshine Tour who have won and they often tell me it's a mystery that I haven't been able to take that form into tournament golf. So I'm really pleased to be in this position. I haven't won yet on the Sunshine Tour and that's the goal for me.

"Highland Gate is not an easy course, and the wind really got up on Friday, so it was challenging, but I managed to hang in there. But what a golf course this is. It's a special place."

- Michael Vlismas

Scores:

137 - Wynand Dingle 68 69, Combrinck Smit 67 70, Anthony Michael 68 69

139 - Jaco Prinsloo 69 70, Jacques Blaauw 69 70, James Hart du Preez 69 70, Brooklin Bailey 71 68

140 - Stephen Ferreira 70 70, Jean Hugo 72 68, JJ Senekal 70 70, Herman Loubser 71 69

141 - Luke Brown 71 70, Matthew Spacey 73 68, Ockie Strydom 69 72

142 - Casey Jarvis 68 74, Jayden Schaper 71 71, Neil Schietekat 71 71

143 - Sean Bradley 72 71, Stefan Wears-Taylor 69 74, Dylan Naidoo 71 72

144 - Jared Harvey 73 71, Michael Kok 71 73, Luca Filippi 71 73, Kyle McClatchie 72 72, Adam Breen 75 69, Matias Calderon 68 76, Dylan Mostert 73 71

145 - Ryan Van Velzen 72 73, Martin Rohwer 73 72, Jordan Duminy 72 73, Keelan van Wyk 69 76, Martin Vorster 71 74, Louis Albertse 71 74, Michael Palmer 73 72, Kyle Barker 69 76, MJ Viljoen 74 71

146 - Hayden Griffiths 74 72, Rhys West 74 72, Malcolm Mitchell 79 67, Heinrich Bruiners 72 74

2022-08-25 18:06:40

Inspired Smit leads Vodacom Origins

The sheer beauty of the Highland Gate Golf and Trout Estate was enough to inspire Combrinck Smit to take a one-stroke lead in Thursday’s first round of the Vodacom Origins of Golf. Smit opened with a five-under-par 67 and tops the leaderboard ahead of a group of four players on four under including rookie professional Casey Jarvis, Anthony Michael, Wynand Dingle and Chile’s Matias Calderon.

This is the second time in Smit’s career that he leads a Sunshine tour event. The last time was in 2018 when he led going into the final round of the Eye of Africa PGA Championship only to finish second behind Calderon, the very man just one shot behind him on the leaderboard this week.

“Coming to Highland Gate is always a pleasure. The views are spectacular and the course is very appealing to the eye. I especially love the contrast between the green grass of the course and then the brown veld. The firm fairways here also work for me. But it’s always a good test with its quick greens and tough flag positions,” said Smit.

Smit took full advantage of his strong driving game and picked up shots on all but one of the par fives. “I really took good advantage of the par fives. All my best drives were on the par fives and having short irons into the greens also helped.”

With two rounds still to go in this event, Smit is well aware of the challenge that lies ahead.

“I haven’t been at the top of a leaderboard in a while, and this is only the first round. There is still a lot of golf to be played on this course. Hopefully I can make a few more putts and keep doing what I’m doing.”

Jarvis, formerly South Africa’s number one amateur before he turned professional, will be delighted with his 68 in only his second Sunshine Tour event this season. – Michael Vlismas

Scores:

67 - Combrinck Smit68 - Wynand Dingle, Matias Calderon, Anthony Michael, Casey Jarvis

69 - Keelan van Wyk, Ockie Strydom, Kyle Barker, Stefan Wears-Taylor, Jaco Prinsloo, Jacques Blaauw, James Hart du Preez

70 - JJ Senekal, Stephen Ferreira

71 - Martin Vorster, Louis Albertse, Rupert Kaminski, Herman Loubser, Brooklin Bailey, Michael Kok, Dylan Naidoo, Jayden Schaper, Doug McGuigan, Luke Brown, Luca Filippi, Neil Schietekat, Fredrik From

72 - Jordan Duminy, Makhetha Mazibuko, Callum Mowat, Jacques P de Villiers, CJ du Plessis, Heinrich Bruiners, Sean Bradley, Jean Hugo, Rourke van der Spuy, Ryan Van Velzen, Andre De Decker, Kyle McClatchie

73 - Clancy Waugh, Michael Palmer, Dylan Mostert, Albert Venter, Hennie O'Kennedy, Chris Cannon, Gerard du Plooy, Vaughn van Deventer, Adriel Poonan, James Pennington, Jared Harvey, Martin Rohwer, Chris Swanepoel, Matthew Spacey, Kevin Rhoderick, Dayne Moore

74 - Paul Boshoff, Quintin Wilsnach, Jake Redman, Jaco Van Zyl, MJ Viljoen, Harry Konig, Richard Joubert, Riekus Nortje, Maverick Faber, Gerhard Pepler, Hayden Griffiths, Trevor Fisher Jnr, Rhys West, Danie Van Niekerk

75 - Merrick Bremner, Nikhil Rama, Aneurin Gounden, Joshua Seale, Steven Le Roux, Madalitso Muthiya, Adam Breen, Yubin Jung

76 - Thanda Mavundla, Christiaan Basson

77 - Dean O'Riley, Jason Smith, Toto Thimba Jnr, Jovan Rebula, Ruan Korb

78 - Dwayne Basson, Lyle Rowe, Jacquin Hess, Franklin Manchest, Andre Van Dyk, Peter Karmis, Divan van den Heever

79 - Jastice Mashego, Malcolm Mitchell, Erhard Lambrechts, Therion Nel, Estiaan Conradie, Christiaan Burke

80 - Ruan de Smidt, Keagan Thomas

81 - Clinton Grobler, Teaghan Gauche

82 - Keelan Africa

83 - Hennie Otto, Tristin Galant

84 - Henning du Plooy, Leon Vorster

87 - Wade Jacobs

2022-08-19 19:45:44

Venter wins by six in SunBet Challenge

Albert Venter completed an inspired three days of golf as he wonthe SunBet Challenge hosted by Time Square Casino at Wingate Park Country Clubby six strokes on Friday.

Going into the final round with a five-stroke lead, the26-year-old said his approach was to think he was actually tied for the lead,and that saw him get the job done on an even more blustery, and colder, day inPretoria.

Venter offset two bogeys on each nine with five birdies, andalways looked in complete control of affairs, especially after birdies at thesecond and third holes.

“Even with a five-shot cushion I knew I could take nothing forgranted because there have been a lot of cases where someone has a big lead andthey don’t get over the line,” Venter said.

“So my mindset was that I was tied for the lead and just needed toplay as solidly as I could. Starting off the tournament with a 63 put me in areally good position, so the last two rounds were just about maintaining thatand trying to increase my lead.

“But you never know what could happen at the next hole if you makea mistake, so it’s really important to have that cushion,” Venter said.

Venter’s one-under 71 on Friday lifted him to 13-under for thetournament, with Ruan Korb also shooting a 71 and finishing second on seven-under-par.

Estiaan Conradie was alone in third on six-under after a 73 onFriday, with Michael Palmer (-5) and Jean Hugo (-4) completing the top-five.

Venter has now claimed two titles on the Sunshine Tour this yearfollowing his triumph in the Zimbabwe Open in May, and he said from now throughOctober, he will be honing his game in preparation for the co-sanctioned eventsin the summer.

“I just try to play as good as I can in every tournament, but mymain focus at the moment is on peaking at the end of the year in those bigevents, the four co-sanctioned tournaments. Those are like the Sunshine TourMajors.

"Knowing that I’m playing well will give me a lot of confidence. All ofthis is prep work for the end of the year,” Venter said.

Scores:

203 - AlbertVenter 63 69 71

209 - RuanKorb 68 70 71

210 - EstiaanConradie 68 69 73

211 - MichaelPalmer 73 69 69

212 - JeanHugo 69 68 75

213 - HennieOtto 74 69 70, Siyanda Mwandla 75 68 70, Keagan Thomas 68 73 72,Richard Joubert 67 72 74, Luke Brown 72 66 75

214 - LyleRowe 73 68 73, Heinrich Bruiners 69 71 74

215 - JacquesBlaauw 75 68 72, Luca Filippi 72 70 73, Rourke van der Spuy 7368 74

216 - Ruande Smidt 71 72 73, Dylan Mostert 75 68 73, Wallie Coetsee 72 7173, JJ Senekal 69 73 74, Jared Harvey 73 69 74, MatthewSpacey 73 69 74, Martin Rohwer 67 73 76

217 - MadalitsoMuthiya 70 74 73, Hennie O'Kennedy 67 77 73, Herman Loubser 7371 73, Daniel van Tonder 72 71 74, Dylan Naidoo 70 70 77, DayneMoore 69 70 78

218 - PieterMoolman 75 69 74, Malcolm Mitchell 70 73 75, ClaytonMansfield 73 70 75

219 - PaulBoshoff 70 73 76, Yurav Premlall 73 70 76, Martin Vorster 71 7276, Bradley Bawden 75 68 76, Kyle Barker 72 70 77

220 - LouisAlbertse 72 71 77, Erhard Lambrechts 69 71 80

221 - WynandDingle 68 76 77222 - JaydenSchaper 70 74 78223 - AdamBreen 72 72 79230 - MichaelKok 72 72 86

- Michael Vlismas

2022-08-18 18:40:12

AlbertVenter led by four strokes after the first round of the SunBet Challenge hostedby Time Square Casino at the Wingate Park Country Club and the 26-year-oldensured he kept the door closed on his rivals in Thursday’s second round as heposted a solid three-under-par 69 to stretch that advantage to five strokes.

Venter will head into the final round on 12-under-par forthe tournament, having shot a brilliant 63 in the first round.

There was a blustery wind in Pretoria on Thursday, justthe sort of conditions in which a golfer could blow a lead on the hard and fastgreens of Wingate Park, and Venter began his round cautiously, being level-par,with a birdie and a bogey, through his first eight holes.

But he was then able to tear around the turn with threebirdies in the next four holes. Six straight pars coming in on the front ninecompleted a round which could only be considered a success.

“The wind picked up a lot today so my first few holeswere not too bad. It was definitely trickier today to figure out which way itwas blowing. Because the course is tree-lined, it swirls around a bit,” Ventersaid.

“There were quite difficult decisions to make over whichirons to play. But we predicted the wind would pick up and the plan was to getmy score as low as possible to build a bit of a cushion.

Thankfully I kept myhead in the game and managed to get a decent score. I can’t control what theother golfers do, but I am in a really good position,” Venter said.

On a hard day to shoot a really low score, EstiaanConradie (69) and Jean Hugo (68) did really well to position themselves asVenter’s closest challengers, on seven-under-par.

Luke Brown produced the round of the day, a 66 thatincluded seven birdies, to join Ruan Korb (70) on six-under for the tournament.

Venter won the Zimbabwe Open in May for his maidenSunshine Tour title and will be able to learn from that experience in Friday’sfinal round.

“The big thing about winning is trying to get into thosepositions more and more, trying to get used to the atmosphere and nerves youface on the final day,” the Silver Lakes golfer said.

“I’ve been in quite a few situations like that in thelast few years, although I wouldn’t say I’m experienced. But I’ve been in thesituation before and I know how to deal with the nerves and the adrenaline. Ican’t get ahead of myself, I have to stay patient and stick to my guns,” Ventersaid.

SCORES

132 - Albert Venter 63 69

137 - Estiaan Conradie 68 69, Jean Hugo 69 68

138 - Ruan Korb 68 70, Luke Brown 72 66

139 - Richard Joubert 67 72, Dayne Moore 69 70

140 - Dylan Naidoo 70 70, Heinrich Bruiners 69 71,Martin Rohwer 67 73, Erhard Lambrechts 69 71

141 - Keagan Thomas 68 73, Rourke van der Spuy 73 68,Lyle Rowe 73 68

142 - Matthew Spacey 73 69, Jared Harvey 73 69, KyleBarker 72 70, JJ Senekal 69 73, Michael Palmer 73 69, Luca Filippi 72 70

143 - Siyanda Mwandla 75 68, Clayton Mansfield 73 70,Wallie Coetsee 72 71, Daniel van Tonder 72 71, Jacques Blaauw 75 68, DylanMostert 75 68, Hennie Otto 74 69, Bradley Bawden 75 68, Martin Vorster 71 72,Malcolm Mitchell 70 73, Yurav Premlall 73 70, Louis Albertse 72 71, Ruan deSmidt 71 72, Paul Boshoff 70 73

144 - Pieter Moolman 75 69, Michael Kok 72 72, AdamBreen 72 72, Herman Loubser 73 71, Wynand Dingle 68 76, Hennie O'Kennedy 67 77,Jayden Schaper 70 74, Madalitso Muthiya 70 74

- Michael Vlismas

2022-08-17 19:00:04

Albert Venter enjoyed a dreamstart to his round, but then had to stay patient to ensure he converted it intoa brilliant one on the opening day of the SunBet Challenge hosted by TimeSquare Casino at the Wingate Park Country Club in Pretoria on Wednesday.

Venter, teeing off shortlybefore noon, birdied the first three holes and then made sure he gave nothingaway as he compiled a bogey-free nine-under-par 63 to give himself afour-stroke lead after the first round of the R1 million event.

The Silver Lakes golfer ensuredhe didn’t push too hard, making pars from the fourth to eighth holes, beforemaking his fourth birdie at the par-three ninth hole. Venter went on anothersuperb run from the 12th hole, goingbirdie-eagle-birdie, and then he capped his round with another birdie on the 18th,the third par-five of the back nine.

“Those three birdies in thefirst three holes really put my round in place, but it was important not to getahead of myself,” Venter said.

“I just tried to keep hitting greens and givemyself chances.”

“I had to still go through myprocesses. I reached the turn in four-under even though there was only onepar-five on the front nine. With three par-fives on the back nine, I alwaysthought there would be scoring opportunities there and I just had to be patient.

“On the 13th Ihad only an eight-iron in but finished on the fringe because of an unluckybounce. But then I putted in from there, although it counts as a chip-in on thestats,” Venter laughed.

The firm greens, especially atthis time of year, are what prevent golfers from really laying down the law ona course established in the late 1940s.

“Wingate Park in winter isquite difficult because the greens are quick, firm and fast,” Venter said.“That’s the defence – it’s unpredictable how the ball will bounce on them, soyour approach shots have to be more accurate, you have to be more specificabout where you land the ball.”

“Hitting 10 fairways obviouslyhelped me. The course is quite tree-lined so those fairways I missed,fortunately it was not a big enough miss to land me in too much trouble,”Venter said.

Other golfers to get goodreturns on Wednesday were Hennie O’Kennedy, Richard Joubert and Martin Rohwer,who all shot five-under 67s to share second place.

Estiaan Conradie, WynandDingle, Keagan Thomas and Ruan Korb were a further stroke back after shooting68s.

Scores:

63 - Albert Venter

67 - Hennie O'Kennedy, Richard Joubert, Martin Rohwer

68 - Estiaan Conradie, Wynand Dingle, Keagan Thomas,Ruan Korb

69 - Jean Hugo, Erhard Lambrechts, JJ Senekal, HeinrichBruiners, Dayne Moore

70 - Malcolm Mitchell, Sean Bradley, Jayden Schaper,Paul Boshoff, Madalitso Muthiya, Tumelo Molloyi, Dylan Naidoo, Rhys West

71 - Ryan Van Velzen, Martin Vorster, Jean-Paul Strydom,Ruan de Smidt, Jaco Van Zyl

72 - Sean Cronje, Thabang Simon, Luca Filippi, KeenanDavidse, Louis Albertse, Wallie Coetsee, Daniel van Tonder, Kyle Barker, ClancyWaugh, Luke Brown, Michael Kok, Kyle McClatchie, Adam Breen, Jacquin Hess

73 - Lindani Ndwandwe, Aneurin Gounden, Herman Loubser,Jake Redman, Yurav Premlall, Lyle Rowe, Merrick Bremner, Matthew Spacey,Makhetha Mazibuko, Nikhil Rama, Clayton Mansfield, Jared Harvey, Rourke van derSpuy, Michael Palmer, CJ du Plessis

74 - Therion Nel, Riekus Nortje, Danie Van Niekerk, JacoPrinsloo, James Hart du Preez, Keelan van Wyk, Clinton Grobler, JamesPennington, Stefan Wears-Taylor, Callum Mowat, Peter Karmis, Joe Long, IvanVerster, Hennie Otto, Toto Thimba Jnr, Yubin Jung, Jordan Duminy, Teaghan Gauche

75 - Ryan Cairns, Dean O'Riley, Quintin Wilsnach, ChrisCannon, Combrinck Smit, Lwazi Gqira, Siyanda Mwandla, Andre De Decker, JacquesBlaauw, Ockie Strydom, Dylan Mostert, Pieter Moolman, Bradley Bawden, Allisterde Kock

76 - Divan van den Heever, Gerrit Foster, KevinRhoderick, Thanda Mavundla, Jacques P de Villiers, Joshua Seale, ChrisSwanepoel, Hayden Griffiths, Matias Calderon, Doug McGuigan, Leon Vorster

77 - Casey Jarvis, Harry Konig, Musiwalo Nethunzwi,Fredrik From, Trevor Fisher Jnr, Maverick Faber

78 - Dwayne Basson, Anthony Michael, Alex Haindl, JasonSmith, Stephen Ferreira, Adriel Poonan, Gerard du Plooy, MJ Viljoen, KaraboMokoena

79 - Vaughn van Deventer, Keelan Africa

80 - Steven Le Roux, Lincon Denzy Cele, Andre Van Dyk,Christiaan Burke, Brooklin Bailey

- Michael Vlismas

2022-08-13 17:18:43

Team Bremner and Rohwer the toast of Blue Valley

Chipping in on the 10th green and then making birdie on the 13th proved to be the key blows as Martin Rohwer and Merrick Bremner held off the chasing pack to win the Ubunye Championship by six strokes at Blue Valley Golf Estate on Saturday.

Rohwer and Bremner took a four-stroke lead into the betterball final round of this R1.2 million event, but that had all but evaporated as Combrinck Smit nailed a hole-in-one on the 173-metre second hole and then Erhard Lambrechts sank his second for an albatross on the par-five third hole.

But they are relative greenhorns compared to Bremner and Rohwer and the KwaZulu-Natal duo held their nerve superbly in tough, blustery conditions.

Even so, they were only a couple of strokes ahead as they completed the front nine, before Rohwer chipped in for eagle on the 10th and Bremner made an important birdie putt on the par-five 13th.

"The wind was up today so it made it tough," Rohwer said. "But we hung in there and dovetailed together quite well. The chip-in at 10 and then a huge birdie at 13 when Merrick chipped it almost dead, just pulled us clear a bit."

"We had seen a scoreboard on the ninth so we knew exactly how well Erhard and Combrinck were doing. But we stayed pretty aggressive and those three shots gained made it much easier for us down the stretch," Rohwer said.

Bremner and Rohwer birdied the 15th and then the par-five closing hole to finish with a 62 and 28-under-par overall.

Lambrechts and Smit eventually posted a 61 to leave themselves on 22-under, alongside Jean Hugo and Hennie du Plessis, who was also 11-under on Saturday.

The victory was a particular relief for Bremner, a 36-year-old tour veteran for whom success has been elusive over the last year or so. It is his first victory since 2020.

For Rohwer, who claimed his second title at the Vodacom Origins of Golf final in January, the triumph rounded off a near-perfect week.

"It really helps with my exemption category, which was going to run out in January. So now I'm in all the big co-sanctioned events and it's just nice to win after putting in all the prep. It's also massive for Merrick, who was great to have as a partner. It's always special teaming up with a mate. And I absolutely loved the betterball-foursomes-betterball format, from start to finish," Rohwer said.

- Michael Vlismas

Scores:

188 - M Rohwer & M Bremner 60 66 62

194 - E Lambrechts & C Smit 65 68 61, J Hugo & H Du Plessis 63 70 61

195 - D Mostert & K Barker 65 68 62, D Fichardt & G Coetzee 62 70 63

196 - J Prinsloo & C Grobler 61 69 66

198 - D van Tonder & MJ Viljoen 63 67 68

199 - E Conradie & F From 57 75 67, L Brown & H Griffiths 64 67 68

200 - A Venter & R Korb 65 69 66, M Palmer & R Kaminski 63 70 67, L Filippi & R Van Velzen 61 70 69

201 - D Van Niekerk & S Bradley 66 71 64, K McClatchie & J Pennington 64 71 66, L Rowe & J Redman 62 71 68

202 - R Nortje & Q Wilsnach 63 73 66, L Albertse & H O'Kennedy 66 69 67, M Hollick & J Harvey 64 69 69

203 - C Swanepoel & M Spacey 66 70 67, CJ du Plessis & T Fisher Jnr 65 71 67, JJ Senekal & R West 65 70 68, W Dingle & R de Smidt 67 67 69, N Rama & K Van Wyk 63 70 70, H Bruiners & J Hess 61 72 70

2022-08-05 19:17:20

Coetzee maintains lead in De Zalze

George Coetzee tightened his grip on the Vodacom Origins of Golf at De Zalze Golf Club and will take a two-stroke lead into Saturday's final round of this Sunshine Tour event.

Coetzee signed for a second round of five-under-par 67 to move to 16 under par overall as he looks to successfully defend his title and claim the 15th victory of his career.

But England's Joe Long could still have a say as the 2020 Amateur Championship winner made a big charge on Friday with a sublime 10-under-par 62 that lifted him to 14 under par overall. Long even made two bogeys in that 62.

And six strokes back, Albert Venter is hunting his second win of the season after his triumph in the Zimbabwe Open in May. Venter moved into contention with a second round of 68.

Coetzee was five shots clear at the start of the round but was held back by a double bogey on the par-three ninth and was kept from running away with the tournament by Long's round of the day.

Coetzee is looking to move into second on the list of all-time winners on the Vodacom Origins of Golf Series.

A win on Saturday would earn him his fifth Vodacom Origins of Golf title, placing him second behind Jean Hugo with the most wins on the series. Hugo has won 11 Origins of Golf titles.

- Michael Vlismas

Scores:

128 - George Coetzee 61 67

130 - Joe Long 68 62

134 - Albert Venter 66 68

135 - Kyle Barker 67 68

137 - Wallie Coetsee 69 68

138 - Bradley Bawden 71 67, Adam Breen 66 72, Christiaan Basson 73 65, Luca Filippi 71 67

139 - Merrick Bremner 68 71, Jacquin Hess 67 72, Louis Albertse 70 69, Wynand Dingle 67 72, Estiaan Conradie 68 71, Dayne Moore 70 69, Jaco Prinsloo 66 73, Rupert Kaminski 69 70, James Hart du Preez 70 69

140 - Fredrik From 69 71, Peter Karmis 70 70, Ockie Strydom 70 70, Ryan Van Velzen 69 71, Keenan Davidse 72 68, Martin Vorster 70 70, CJ du Plessis 70 70

141 - Zander Lombard 70 71, Jean Hugo 72 69, Jean-Paul Strydom 71 70

142 - Brooklin Bailey 72 70, Ruan Korb 73 69, Hennie Otto 73 69, Madalitso Muthiya 73 69, Luke Brown 70 72, Matthew Spacey 71 71, Chris Cannon 71 71, Michael Kok 70 72, Michael Palmer 73 69, Maverick Faber 72 70

143 - Leon Vorster 69 74, Combrinck Smit 72 71, JJ Senekal 72 71, Jared Harvey 72 71, Riekus Nortje 70 73

2022-08-04 18:29:45

George Coetzee made a strong start in defence of his Vodacom Origins of Golf title at De Zalze Golf Club when he opened with an 11-under-par 61 to lead by five shots after Thursday's first round.

A win this week would earn Coetzee a special place in the 18-year history of the Vodacom Origins of Golf series, lifting him to five titles overall and placing him second behind Jean Hugo with the most wins in the series.

Hugo has won 11 Vodacom Origins of Golf titles. Coetzee won last year's Vodacom Origins of Golf at De Zalze on the back of an opening 63, and he was in even better form on Thursday with a round of nine birdies and an eagle.

His nearest challengers are the group of Ryan Cairns, Adam Breen, Albert Venter and the in-form Jaco Prinsloo, who all opened with rounds of six under par.

"It felt great. The course was beautiful. I left a few early putts short but then got the speed right and rolled in some nice putts on the back nine. The greens are so good, but the whole layout of the golf course is beautiful. In these 54-hole events it's so important to get off to a good start in round one," said Cairns.

Jacquin Hess, a member of the Sunshine Tour's Papwa Sewgolum Class for transformation golfers, put himself in contention with a solid opening five-under-par 67.

- Michael Vlismas

Scores:

61 - George Coetzee66 - Ryan Cairns, Adam Breen, Albert Venter, Jaco Prinsloo

67 - Kyle Barker, Jacquin Hess, Wynand Dingle68 - Joe Long, Merrick Bremner, Estiaan Conradie

69 - Wallie Coetsee, Rupert Kaminski, Fredrik From, Leon Vorster, Jake Redman, Ryan Van Velzen

70 - Michael Kok, Martin Vorster, James Hart du Preez, CJ du Plessis, Riekus Nortje, Louis Albertse, Peter Karmis, Zander Lombard, Ockie Strydom, Ricky Hendler, Luke Brown, Dayne Moore

71 - Chris Cannon, Sean Bradley, Herman Loubser, Jean-Paul Strydom, Luca Filippi, Bradley Bawden, Matthew Spacey

72 - Tristin Galant, Harry Konig, Jean Hugo, Clancy Waugh, Keenan Davidse, Jared Harvey, JJ Senekal, Dean O'Riley, Gerard du Plooy, Maverick Faber, Callum Mowat, Brooklin Bailey, Quintin Wilsnach, Combrinck Smit, Dylan Naidoo

73 - Yubin Jung, Stefan Wears-Taylor, Christiaan Burke, Christiaan Basson, Michael Palmer, Ruan Korb, Hennie Otto, Trevor Fisher Jnr, Madalitso Muthiya, Matias Calderon

74 - Ruan de Smidt, Teaghan Gauche, Kyle McClatchie, Hennie O'Kennedy, Jordan Duminy, Samuel Simpson, Keagan Thomas, Rhys West, Stephan Sieberhagen, Aneurin Gounden, Gerrit Foster, Dylan Mostert, Nikhil Rama, Clinton Grobler, Keelan van Wyk, Toto Thimba Jnr, Joshua Seale, Heinrich Bruiners, Mandla Dlamini Jnr

75 - Karabo Mokoena, Sean Cronje, Danie Van Niekerk, Jacques P de Villiers, Mutahi Kibugu

76 - Vaughn van Deventer, Jovan Rebula, Therion Nel, Clayton Mansfield, Erhard Lambrechts

77 - Thanda Mavundla, James Pennington, Richard Joubert, Cornel Muller, Gareth Sargent, Paul Boshoff, Adriel Poonan, Keelan Africa, Siyanda Mwandla

78 - MJ Viljoen, Alec Ahrens

79 - Steven Le Roux, Hayden Griffiths, Neil Whitehorn

80 - Dwayne Basson

81 - Kevin Rhoderick, Brent Kirstein

84 - Henning du Plooy

87 - Alex Haindl

2022-07-30 17:51:48

Multiple Sunshine Tour winner Jean Hugo and Wynand Dingle got to within a stroke at times, but Jaco Prinsloo held his nerve to stay in front and complete a wire-to-wire three-stroke victory in the Eswatini Nkonyeni Challenge at the Nkonyeni Lodge and Golf Estate on Saturday.

Prinsloo shot a three-under-par 69 in Saturday’s third and final round to finish on 12-under-par in the R1 million tournament, with Hugo posting a 68 to finish on nine-under-par, and a bogey on the par-three 18th hole seeing Dingle sign for a 68 as well, but slipping back into a tie for third with Keegan Thomas (68) and Martin Rohwer (69) on eight-under.

The 32-year-old Prinsloo, who counts big titles such as the 2017 Vodacom Origins of Golf Final and last year’s Players Championship among his five professional titles, led by two strokes going into the final round. He made a nervous start with a bogey at the par-four first hole, but his lead grew again with three successive birdies from the seventh hole. The Serengeti Golf and Wildlife Estate golfer went three ahead with a birdie at the par-four 12th hole, but a bogey at the par-four 14th, which Hugo birdied, made for a nervous finish, especially with the last hole being a tricky par-three. But Prinsloo crucially managed to get a birdie-three on the 16th hole, while Hugo made bogey and Dingle could only make par, and the Centurion resident parred the last two holes for a victory that got him up to fourth on the Luno Order of Merit.

What was most impressive about Prinsloo’s win was that he did what he said he was going to do as the frontrunner on the final day: He kept his head down and stuck to his game-plan, no matter what the compelling duo of Hugo and Dingle threw at him.

- Michael Vlismas

SCORES:

204 - Jaco Prinsloo 65 70 69

207 - Jean Hugo 71 68 68

208 - Wynand Dingle 70 70 68, Keagan Thomas 71 69 68, Martin Rohwer 71 68 69

209 - Combrinck Smit 72 70 67, Doug McGuigan 72 69 68

210 - Danie Van Niekerk 72 71 67, Ruan Korb 72 71 67, Dylan Naidoo 72 70 68

211 - Kyle McClatchie 68 73 70, MJ Viljoen 71 74 66, CJ du Plessis 69 68 74

212 - Lyle Rowe 69 73 70, Therion Nel 71 71 70, Heinrich Bruiners 70 71 71, Madalitso Muthiya 72 69 71, Ricky Hendler 68 71 73

213 - Herman Loubser 67 72 74

214 - Teaghan Gauche 71 73 70, Merrick Bremner 71 73 70, Michael Kok 73 72 69, Rhys West 70 69 75

215 - Sean Bradley 74 69 72, Harry Konig 71 71 73, Thanda Mavundla 74 70 71, Ryan Van Velzen 71 70 74

216 - Dylan Mostert 74 71 71

217 - Hennie O'Kennedy 70 73 74, Jovan Rebula 69 75 73, Rourke van der Spuy 71 73 73, Keelan van Wyk 74 71 72

218 - Albert Venter 71 71 76, Dayne Moore 71 71 76, Ryan Cairns 73 73 72, Franklin Manchest 73 73 72

219 - Quintin Wilsnach 71 70 78, Ruan de Smidt 72 73 74

220 - Brandon-Jude Rennie 72 72 76

222 - Jaco Van Zyl 70 74 78

224 - Richard Joubert 76 70 78

225 - Hayden Griffiths 73 73 79231 - James Kamte 73 72 86

2022-07-29 19:47:40

Patience key as Prinsloo tops leaderboard in Eswatini

Eleven successive pars and then two birdies coming in were enough for Jaco Prinsloo to retain his lead after the second round of the Eswatini Nkonyeni Challenge at the Nkonyeni Lodge and Golf Estate on Friday, and the 32-year-old will take a two-shot lead into Saturday’s final round.

Following his brilliant 65 on the opening day, Prinsloo did not find the going as easy on Friday as his ball-striking was not as good and he battled to get the ball close to the hole.

He showed wonderful patience, however, and kept grinding away, starting his round on the 10th and registering nine pars before also playing the first and second holes in regulation.

All that determination finally paid off on the par-four third with his first birdie, and he picked up another shot on the par-five eighth.

"It was definitely harder for me today and I just did not hit the ball as close to the hole as I did on the first day, so I didn’t have as many birdie opportunities," Prinsloo said after his 70 took him to nine-under-par.

"It was good to be bogey-free though, because this is not the easiest course. But it’s still a weird place to be with 11 pars in a row. It's good but not so good.

"It meant I was still playing solid golf and in control of the ball, and I’m definitely happy to still be in front," Prinsloo said.

Herman Loubser was two behind Prinsloo after the first round, but he could only shoot a level-par 72 on Friday and has been overtaken by CJ du Plessis, who roared into second place with a 68 that took him to seven-under-par overall.

Loubser has slipped into a tie for third on five-under with Jean Hugo (68), Rhys West (69), Martin Rohwer (68) and Ricky Hendler (71).

"I'm not going to change anything," Prinsloo said of his approach to the final round of the R1 million event.

"I'm going to take it as just another round and the game-plan will stay the same. You just have to keep your head down and see where you land up."

- Michael Vlismas

2022-07-28 20:05:18

Jaco Prinsloo is an avid fisherman and his ‘catch’ on the par-fives at the Nkonyeni Lodge and Golf Estate was the major reason why he leads the FNB Eswatini Nkonyeni Challenge after the first round on Thursday.

If Prinsloo was a birdwatcher, then he would have been equally thrilled with the two eagles and two birdies he bagged on the four par-fives on the bushveld golf course next to the Usutu River, making up the bulk of his gains in a seven-under-par 65 that left him top of the pile, two strokes ahead of Herman Loubser.

Prinsloo eagled the eighth and 15th holes, while also collecting birdie fours on the fourth and 13th holes. The 32-year-old’s other birdies came on the third and ninth holes, and he dropped just one shot, on the par-four fifth.

“I hit the ball pretty good today,” Prinsloo said.

“I hit it really close for my one eagle and made a decent putt for the other. It was a case of really good putting today and good hitting, there were a couple of very good shots.

“The tour had a break of more than a month so it’s been a while since I played competitively and these are not the fastest greens, different to what we’re used to compared to winter in Johannesburg.

“It’s a new course for us because we’re used to playing at the Royal Swazi Sun, but Nkonyeni is an absolute beauty, really challenging but fun in the bushveld,” Prinsloo said.

Prinsloo is enjoying a solid season and is 15th on the Luno Order of Merit, saying he feels he is “moving in the right direction” and needs to “keep doing what I’m doing”. If the Serengeti Golf and Wildlife Estate representative can back up his 65 over the next two rounds then he will keep his challengers in the R1 million event mum.

Modderfontein’s Loubser is foremost among those, a marvellous run of four successive birdies around the turn leading him to a 67. Ricky Hendler and young Kyle McClatchie are a stroke further back on four-under, while Jovan Rebula, Lyle Rowe, Clinton Grobler and CJ du Plessis are all on three-under-par.

SCORES:

65 - Jaco Prinsloo

67 - Herman Loubser

68 - Ricky Hendler, Kyle McClatchie

69 - Jovan Rebula, Lyle Rowe, Clinton Grobler, CJ du Plessis

70 - Hennie O'Kennedy, Jaco Van Zyl, Heinrich Bruiners, Wynand Dingle, Rhys West

71 - Harry Konig, Merrick Bremner, MJ Viljoen, Dayne Moore, Keagan Thomas, Albert Venter, Rourke van der Spuy, Martin Rohwer, Quintin Wilsnach, Vaughn van Deventer, Therion Nel, Maverick Faber, Teaghan Gauche, Jean Hugo, Ryan Van Velzen

72 - Chris Cannon, Trevor Fisher Jnr, Madalitso Muthiya, Kyle Barker, Brandon-Jude Rennie, Dwayne Basson, Danie Van Niekerk, Dylan Naidoo, Doug McGuigan, Combrinck Smit, Ruan de Smidt, Ruan Korb, Samuel Simpson

73 - Malcolm Mitchell, Michael Kok, James Kamte, Makhetha Mazibuko, Toto Thimba Jnr, Ryan Cairns, Franklin Manchest, Aneurin Gounden, Hayden Griffiths, Matthew Spacey

74 - Keelan van Wyk, Matias Calderon, Dylan Mostert, Thabang Simon, Sifiso Vilane, Sean Bradley, Clancy Waugh, James Pennington, Stefan Wears-Taylor, Thanda Mavundla, Gerard du Plooy

75 - Jared Harvey, Louis Albertse, Nikhil Rama, Joshua Seale, Slenda Sithebe, Jordan Duminy, Clayton Mansfield, Raymond Mathonsi, Paul Boshoff

76 - Leon Vorster, Tumelo Molloyi, Karabo Mokoena, Andre Van Dyk, Richard Joubert, Meshack Zwane, Evance Vukeya

77 - Christiaan Burke, Henning du Plooy, Adam Breen

78 - Hanco Rudolph, Siyanda Mwandla, Wade Jacobs, Steven Le Roux, Lwazi Gqira, James Mack

79 - Jabulani Mabaso, Callum Mowat, Musiwalo Nethunzwi, Jake Redman, Gareth Sargent

80 - Nicholaus Frade81 - Oscar Dube, Mutahi Kibugu, Keelan Africa, Tristin Galant, Kevin Rhoderick

82 - Thulane Mkhaliphi

84 - Peetie van der Merwe, Mandla Dlamini Jnr, Jastice Mashego, Chris Swanepoel, Nicholus Vilakati

85 - Qiniso Mkhonta, Ricco Motsa

87 - Robert Shiba88 - Peter Dlamini

89 - Moses Shongwe

98 - Siboniso Maziya

RTD - James Hart du Preez

2022-06-12 16:57:16

Mostert bags maiden win at Kit Kat Group Pro-Am

DylanMostert showed great mental composure and produced a bogey-free back nine forhis maiden Sunshine Tour title on Sunday, as he won the KitKat Group ProAm atIrene Country Club by three strokes.

Mostert shot a fantastic 68 in the final round for a 17-under-partotal of 199, three clear of MJ Viljoen (67), to become the fourth first-timewinner on tour this season.

A bogey on the par-five second hole made for a nervous start forthe left-handed Mostert, but he showed he was up for the challenge when hechipped in for birdie on the third in superb fashion on the undulating green.

Malcolm Mitchell went out in three-under 33 to make for anexciting challenge for Mostert, but the 23-year-old from Modderfontein GolfClub birdied the ninth and then produced a fabulous hybrid approach shot fromunder the trees, in the dirt, finding the middle of the 10th greenand then sinking the putt for birdie for some breathing space.

Further birdies at the 12th and 17th holesmeant he was partitioned by three shots from Viljoen, five clear of thedangerous Louis Albertse (70) and half-a-dozen strokes ahead of Kyle Barker(67) and Ryan van Velzen (71) by the end of the R1 million tournament.

Mitchell fell away with a horrible double-bogey at the 14th followedby bogeys on the next two holes as well, finishing on nine-under-par.

The pro-am competition was won by the team of Sunshine Tourprofessional MJ Viljoen and his amateur partner Japie Holtzhausen from Sasko.

The duo finished top of the leaderboard with 91 points, two ahead of the field.The teams of professional Madalitso Muthiya and amateur Nash Soni, andprofessional Hennie O’Kennedy and amateur Moe Mitha shared second place on 89points.

- Michael Vlismas

2022-06-11 18:49:26

Mostert making a meal of Kit Kat Group Pro-Am

Dylan Mostert produced a top-class display of putting for asecond day in a row as he took a two-stroke lead on 13-under-par on Saturdayheading into the final round of the KitKat Group ProAm at Irene Country Club.

Mostert was just a shot off the lead after a brilliant 65 inthe first round, and on Saturday he followed up with a marvellous 66, leavinghim a couple of shorts clear of Keagan Thomas on 11-under after rounds of 66and 67.

First-round leader Ryan van Velzen (70) is in a tie forthird on 10-under-par with Louis Albertse (68).The 23-year-old Mostert, a big-hitting former U.S. Collegegolfer at Dalton State, said it was a hot putter which had made the differencefor him so far at Irene CC.

“My mental game has been very good, I’m hitting it in theright spots and then putting well,” Mostert said.

“I just seemed to have hadthe knack of reading the greens right.“It feels like if you leave yourself in a bad spot on thegreen here, then it will be really tough.

The greens are undulating and some ofthe putts are very quick and can go sideways.

“I actually haven’t hit the ball that well off the tee, butI have missed in the right spots and then my play has been very good fromthere,” Mostert said.

The Modderfontein Golf Club representative now has awonderful opportunity to claim his first Sunshine Tour title in Sunday’s finalround, having finished second in the Blue Label Challenge at Gary PlayerCountry Club last October.

“It takes consistency over all three rounds to besuccessful, so I’m just going to keep doing what I’m doing,” Mostert said.

“It’s going to be important to stay calm and patient, and just let it happen.

“For tomorrow, I will try to stay neutral emotionally, justdo what I’ve been doing. But I also need to keep pushing because you’re notgoing to win this tournament shooting level-par.

“So I’ll be trying to make birdies and just keep that putterrolling,” Mostert said.

MJ Viljoen and Madalitso Muthiya both fired wonderfulsix-under-par 66s on Saturday to join Malcolm Mitchell (69) and Ockie Strydom(68) in the tie for fifth place on nine-under.

- Michael Vlismas

SCORES:131 - DylanMostert 65 66

133 - KeaganThomas 66 67

134 - LouisAlbertse 66 68, Ryan Van Velzen 64 70

135 - MJViljoen 69 66, Malcolm Mitchell 66 69, Madalitso Muthiya 69 66,Ockie Strydom 67 68137 - DeanO'Riley 69 68, Jovan Rebula 69 68

138 - KyleBarker 70 68, Herman Loubser 69 69, Estiaan Conradie 69 69

139 - JasonSmith 70 69, Jaco Prinsloo 70 69, Merrick Bremner 67 72, JJSenekal 67 72

140 - FranklinManchest 71 69, Dayne Moore 70 70, Rourke van der Spuy 69 71

141 - RupertKaminski 69 72, Albert Venter 76 65, Quintin Wilsnach 67 74,Combrinck Smit 70 71, Louis de Jager 72 69, Pieter Moolman 7467, Jaco Van Zyl 71 70

142 - MichaelKok 71 71, Erhard Lambrechts 73 69, Stephen Ferreira 70 72,Trevor Fisher Jnr 73 69, Michael Palmer 73 69, MichaelHollick 70 72, Rhys West 69 73, Jean Hugo 70 72

143 - Keelanvan Wyk 71 72, Heinrich Bruiners 73 70, Riekus Nortje 72 71,Richard Joubert 73 70, Wynand Dingle 71 72

2022-06-10 20:31:13

Rookie Van Velzen leads the way at Kit Kat Group Pro-Am

Sunshine Tour rookie Ryan van Velzen roared to a marvellous eight-under-par 64 at Irene Country Club on Friday to claim a one-stroke lead after the first round of the KitKat Group ProAm, the R1 million tournament being held for the second time after flooding washed out the tournament in February.

The 21-year-old Van Velzen, playing just his fifth Sunshine Tour event, was particularly rampant on the par-fours, picking up six of his eight birdies there, to go with birdies on the par-five 10th and 17th holes.

It was also a bogey-free round for the Benoni golfer, who won his card from the Big Easy Tour in January.

"I’m really happy and I played really nicely, hitting the ball good and close and making the putts," Van Velzen said after racing past his previous best Tour round of 68.

"I drove the ball straight most of the day, I didn’t miss many fairways and my iron play was really good. I was surprised how good the greens were after all the rain and flooding earlier in the year.

"The course is in really good shape and you have to hit it straight off the tee because of all the trees. And the greens were pretty quick so you didn’t want to be on the wrong side of the hole," Van Velzen said.

The former GolfRSA squad member was on the right side of most things on Friday, including an extraordinary tussle for top spot on the leaderboard that he eventually won.

Dylan Mostert finished just one stroke back after a brilliant 65, converting a great start after he was three-under through five holes.

Merrick Bremner, Ockie Strydom and JJ Senekal made the early running with their five-under-par 67s, but endured the frustration of watching the leading duo sweep past them in the afternoon, as well as the in-form Louis Albertse, Malcolm Mitchell and Keagan Thomas, who all shot 66s.

Rourke van der Spuy, who drank from the champagne bottle a week ago when he won the SunBet Challenge, was also part of the bottleneck at the top as he started on the 10thtee and moved to four-under-par after his birdie on the third hole.

But the aggressive 32-year-old did not quite have the finish he intended as he then bogeyed the par-four sixth and made pars the rest of the way in to finish with a 69.

- Michael Vlismas

2022-06-10 20:29:35

2022-06-03 17:31:50

Hot putter carries Van Der Spuy to SunBet Challenge title

Rourke van der Spuy kept the door firmly closed on multiple Sunshine Tour winners Hennie Otto and Louis de Jager as another inspired putting display saw him shoot 69 in the final round of the SunBet Challenge to claim a three-stroke victory in the first event of the SunBet Series.

De Jager, who has won five times on tour, and Otto, who has a whopping 13 Sunshine Tour titles plus three on the European Tour, were Van der Spuy's company in the final three-ball, breathing down his neck just one stroke behind the 32-year-old.

But Van der Spuy was unfazed, leading from start to finish in the final round. He made an early statement with birdies on the second and third holes, and even back-to-back bogeys on six and seven did not derail him.

Birdies on the 10th and 11th holes put him back in command, and he sealed the deal with a fine approach into the middle of the 17th green and a 25-foot birdie putt.

"It was just about spot-on in terms of our planning. My coach Shaun Coetzee and I said we would go for a score in the 60s, on a tough course like this that felt like it would be good enough," a delighted Van der Spuy said.

"Something under-par was our target and I'm very proud to have broken 70. I had control of my game, even when Louis went on a good run on the back nine. That birdie on 17 was my most clutch putt of the day.

"I've been very good on the greens all week and my only slip-up was a three-putt on seven, but that was a very long putt.

"I've always thought, why not lead and be the frontrunner, even one shot counts at the end of the day," Van der Spuy said.

It's been four years between celebrations for the Durban Country Club golfer, whose previous Sunshine Tour wins were at the Mopani Redpath Zambia Open in 2018 and the Fish River Sun Challenge in 2015.

Making the occasion even more special was to be able to beat Otto, who finished in a tie for third, four shots back, after a level-par 72 on Friday.

"Playing with Hennie was a wonderful feeling because growing up, and when I started at the bottom of the Sunshine Tour, I looked up to him as a mentor. He is such an accomplished and successful golfer, and Louis as well. Today I realised some childhood dreams," Van der Spuy said.

Ockie Strydom fired a 68, the low round of the day, to finish in a tie for fifth on three-under-par with JJ Senekal (71) and the in-form Louis Albertse (72).

De Jager finished in second place on his own, on five-under-par, after making 71 in the final round. But he did give Van der Spuy some cause for concern on the back nine as he collected three birdies.

But not even that could distract Van der Spuy from his goal.

- Michael Vlismas

SCORES:

208 - Rourke van der Spuy 68 71 69

211 - Louis de Jager 72 68 71

212 - Jaco Prinsloo 70 71 71, Hennie Otto 71 69 72

213 - Ockie Strydom 74 71 68, JJ Senekal 73 69 71, Louis Albertse 71 70 72

214 - Jaco Van Zyl 74 70 70

215 - Jacques P de Villiers 70 73 72, Alex Haindl 71 71 73, Kyle Barker 70 70 75

216 - Dylan Mostert 75 68 73, Lyle Rowe 70 73 73, Stefan Wears-Taylor 72 69 75

217 - Martin Rohwer 73 72 72, Ryan Van Velzen 73 74 70, Joe Long 75 72 70, Dan Erickson 71 71 75, Harry Konig 69 72 76, Dylan Naidoo 74 74 69

218 - Keagan Thomas 73 71 74, Hennie O'Kennedy 75 73 70

2022-06-03 17:28:01

2022-06-02 18:12:33

Confident Van Der Spuy ready for SunBet Challenge final round

It took a little while for Rourke van der Spuy to warm up, but he was loving the greens on the back nine as he shot a one-under-par 71 on Thursday to claim a one-stroke lead after the second round of the SunBet Challenge hosted by Sun City at Gary Player Country Club.

The 32-year-old Van der Spuy will be heading into Friday’s final round on five-under-par for the tournament, one clear of a strong quartet of contenders in Hennie Otto (69), Louis de Jager (68), Callum Mowat (73) and Kyle Barker (70).

Van der Spuy went into the second round in second place, one shot behind Mowat, and, teeing off at 8am, he made seven straight pars before a double-bogey at the par-four eighth was a frustrating blow.

“The big thing about teeing off early in the morning at Sun City is the considerable temperature difference compared to later in the day,” Van der Spuy said.

“The sun rises at 7am but it only really gets warm around 9-10 o’clock. It just takes a while for the body to warm up and get loose, and of course the ball goes much further when it’s warmer.

“So it’s just a case of getting through the first nine holes and I was just pleased to be bogey-free after seven holes, but then the double-bogey six was a punch in the gut,” Van der Spuy said.

But as the sun rose above the Pilanesberg mountains and warmed both the course and the competitors, the Durban-born golfer warmed to his task with back-to-back birdies around the turn and then two more sandwiching a bogey at the 15th.

“I was very happy to recover with those two birdies straight after the double-drop and I was definitely more comfortable on the back nine,” Van der Spuy said.

“It was also a good day on the greens, I converted a few outside chances to keep the round going. Credit to my caddy, Jacob Lekgotho, who I called in three times on the back nine and he was spot-on with his lines.

“Jakes has been the caddy master at Sun City so he’s as comfortable around Gary Player Country Club as I am and those putts were real momentum-keepers,” Van der Spuy said.

The Durban Country Club representative won on his rookie year on tour at the 2015 Fish River Sun Challenge and then again, three years later, at the Mopani Redpath Zambia Open. But as surely as the years have passed, so too has Van der Spuy’s game evolved and he said the final round will be about setting and achieving a target he and his coach set for himself.

“We will see how everyone finishes and then create a game-plan from there. The key is we will be looking at a score and not the rest of the field.

“It’s been an 18-month process and it’s something I now trust to get the job done in a final round. As you mature and go through the ups-and-downs of a golf career, your game evolves as you do as a person.

“I’m definitely a different player now than I was when I won those tournaments three years apart. But I trust the golfer I am,” Van der Spuy said.

The experienced duo of Otto and De Jager were both in fine form on Thursday, having 11 birdies between them, and they will surely put Van der Spuy to the test in Friday’s final round.

2022-06-01 19:34:08

Mowat finds his inspiration in SunBet Challenge

Callum Mowat began with two birdies and just continued on that high as he shot a 67 to lead the SunBet Challenge hosted by Sun City after the first round on Wednesday, saying afterwards it was a round that “made me feel good about me”.

Mowat’s five-under-par score included just one bogey on the testing Gary Player Country Club layout and he came home in three-under 33. That gave him a one-stroke lead over Rourke van der Spuy on four-under, while MJ Viljoen and Harry Konig were tied for third after shooting 69s.

“I’ve been inside a deep hole and I needed to figure out how I felt about myself,” Mowat said. “It was nice to feel I belong out here and I am competitive, it was good to feel good about myself and where my game is trending. It made me feel good about me.”

“I just tried to be aggressive, just let fly and stop trying to steer the ball around, let it run! The demanding thing about Gary Player Country Club is off the tee, but I was more aggressive than usual.”

“That meant I could hit a lot more greens with shorter irons. My game-plan was to just get as far as possible off the tee, it worked well and then I just stuck to the plan,” the 30-year-old Mowat said. The Glendower golfer had not broken 70 yet in four rounds this season at the FBC Zimbabwe Open and the Sishen Classic. The 27-year-old Viljoen looked like catching Mowat as he raced to four-under through 14 holes, but a weak finish saw him drop a shot at the par-four 18th to finish two back on three-under.

Van der Spuy started his round with eight pars, but he caught fire around the turn with birdies on the ninth and 10th holes, and he picked up further shots on the 13th and 17th holes in a bogey-free round.

Konig, hailing from Devon in England, is in his first season on the Sunshine Tour and he also dropped just one shot, making a four on the par-three 16th, in his 69.

- Michael Vlismas

2022-05-29 16:06:03

Germishuys mines a maiden win in Sishen Classic

Deon Germishuys has given everything on a journey that led to him winning his maiden Sunshine Tour title in the Sishen Classic at the Sishen Golf and Country Club on Sunday.

And this week, he even sacrificed his car.

The 23-year-old was in a class of his own in Sunday’s final round as he produced some of the finest ball-striking under pressure to close with a 64 and win by six shots on 17 under par. Louis de Jager took second place on 11 under with a final round of 67.

The victory by Germishuys makes it a hat-trick of first-time winners on the Sunshine Tour in the first three tournaments of the new season after the victories of Herman Loubser and Albert Venter.

“It’s an emotional first win for me because I’ve worked so hard for everyone who has supported me. I’m really glad that I got it over the line,” said Germishuys, who had to break his car window on the Saturday morning of this tournament just to get his clubs out after losings his car keys.

“I lost my car keys on Friday, so on Saturday morning I had to break my car window to get my clubs. I’m leaving my car here and driving back with a friend because I’m flying to Prague on Monday evening for a tournament, so my fiancé will come and collect my car for me,” said Germishuys.

The young star has come close to breaking through on the Sunshine Tour on several occasions, and he used those experiences in the final round.

“I had nothing to lose. I’ve been in contention a couple of times and I kind of knew what to do. I thought if I could just go three under or four under I would be happy. And I managed to go eight under. When I could attack the flags I did so, and when I had to go for the middle of the green I did that too, and luckily I holed a couple of big putts.

”The biggest of those was a monstrous 75-footer on the 16th green for birdie.

“I don’t think I’ve hit the ball as well as I have under this kind of pressure. We pitched the ball on every single spot on the green where my caddie Rasta and I wanted to.

”Apart from a unique iron ore trophy from Anglo American and Kumba Iron Ore, Germishuys also won his weight in braai meat from one of the local sponsors, Best Food Forever.

Asked during the prizegiving presentation how much he weighs, Germishuys responded, “If it’s for the braai meat, then I weigh 200 kilograms.”

- Michael Vlismas

2022-05-29 15:24:01

2022-05-28 18:37:28

2022-05-28 18:35:32

A Sishen Classic win is worth its weight in braai meat

It is only in the Kalahari where the champion golfer in the Sishen Classic will win his weight in braai meat.

That’s the added incentive that will be on offer when Sunday’s final round of this Sunshine Tour event tees off with Trevor Fisher Jnr. leading by a shot over the trio of Hennie O’Kennedy, Deon Germishuys and Jaco Ahlers.

The braai meat, courtesy of Best Food Forever, will certainly be a welcome addition for Fisher Jnr.

But a first Sunshine Tour victory since 2014 will be of far greater value to him.

Such is his singular determination to end this win drought that after his third-round 70 in windy conditions at the Sishen Golf and Country Club on Saturday to lead on 10 under par, Fisher Jnr. didn’t even want to speak about his position for fear of losing focus.

But while Fisher Jnr. is looking to finally chalk up Sunshine Tour victory number 10 on Sunday, in the trio behind him are two golfers who are pushing hard for their maiden titles on the Tour in O’Kennedy and Germishuys.

O’Kennedy defied the tricky conditions with a third round of 67 that included a run of five consecutive birdies on the back nine.

He’s been building to this moment with a strong start to the new season that has included finishes of fourth in the Lombard Insurance Classic and ninth in the FBC Zimbabwe Open.

"I’m very pleased to have put myself in a good position. I had a feeling that if the conditions got a little tougher like they did, then the leaders would come to you and you just needed to play good golf to get closer to them as well," said O’Kennedy.

"The five consecutive birdies were just wonderful. I actually hit the ball better on the front nine but couldn’t make any putts. But it’s got me in a great position.

"All of these guys out here play great golf week in and week out, and we still have 18 holes left so there is a lot to do."

O’Kennedy certainly enjoys this golf course and finished seventh here in the 2021 Vodacom Origins of Golf.

And it's actually his previous experience of falling just short of winning that motivates him.

"That has just made me a better golfer because I never want that to ever happen to me again, so it made me work even harder."

Germishuys will be equally determined to break through after a number of top finishes, most notably his tied fifth finish in the 2021/22 season-ending Tour Championship.

And Ahlers brings a world of experience that saw him recently claim his 10th Sunshine Tour title in April’s Stella Artois Players Championship. - Michael Vlismas

2022-05-28 15:40:07

2022-05-27 19:04:22

Impressive Albertse chasing Sishen Classic glory

Louis Albertse continued his impressive form this season as he claimed a one-stroke lead heading into the weekend of the Sishen Classic at the Kalahari Country Club.

Albertse, who has finished in the top 10 in his last two tournaments, added a second consecutive 67 to top the leaderboard on 10 under par.

He is one stroke clear of Pieter Moolman, who signed for a second round of 69 on Friday. The experienced duo of Trevor Fisher Jnr. and Jacques Blaauw are two shots off the lead following respective second rounds of 66 and 68.

Albertse has started the new Sunshine Tour season in superb form with a finish of ninth in the Lombard Insurance Classic and then second in the FBC Zimbabwe Open. And patience has been the backbone to his success this season.

"I've been very patient with my own game and trying to learn what I do well and don't do well. I've tried to stay very patient throughout my round so that I make as few mistakes as possible. I feel like I've done that quite well. If I don't like a tee shot, then I'll hit an iron and just make sure I'm in play. So patience has been the biggest reason for my form," said Albertse.

He needed some of that patience on a Friday when his solid putting form wasn't altogether there.

"These two days were totally different. I had 23 putts in the first round and 32 putts in the second round, with the same score. But I'm very happy with how I managed myself because the second round was frustrating considering how well I was hitting the ball. All in all, I'm proud of myself for how I've managed my game."

Behind him, Moolman continued to keep himself in contention.

"I didn't give myself enough opportunities in the second round, but that's what golf is about. You’re never going to have a perfect round. If you can fight and still shoot under par, then that's a good round."

- Michael Vlismas

2022-05-26 20:38:10

Englishman Bawden loving his Kalahari experience

It’s only his third tournament in South Africa, and Englishman Bradley Bawden has already fallen in love with the country and the Sunshine Tour, and it showed as he shared a four-way tie for the lead after Thursday’s first round of the Sishen Classic at the Kalahari Country Club.

Bawden opened with a bogey-free six-under-par 66 to share the lead with South Africa’s Pieter Moolman, Ockie Strydom and Deon Germishuys.

Strydom is a previous winner on this golf course in the 2019 Vodacom Origins of Golf.

They are one stroke clear of the in-form Louis Albertse, who has top-10s in his previous two tournaments, Malcolm Mitchell and Danie van Niekerk.

“It’s my first time here, and this golf course is really nice,” said Bawden, who came through the Sunshine Tour Qualifying School and is playing in only his third tournament on the Tour.

“I’m still very fresh in South Africa and enjoying it. The Sunshine Tour is a growing tour, and I see a lot of opportunities out here. The schedule is great, and you play a lot of good golf courses, so I just feel you’re going to improve out here. That’s why I decided to come over and play,” said the Essex-based golfer.

And he certainly enjoyed his first look at this golf course.

“You’ve got to hit the ball well, and the greens are really rolling nicely. It’s not a course where you just tee it up and rip it down there. You’ve got to think where you’re going to leave the ball and have to put it in the right spots otherwise you’ll be in trouble. It’s nice to play a course where you have to use your brain.”

Moolman was happy with his start on a golf course that has always challenged him.

“I’ve always struggled here. On this course you can hit good shots and get some bad luck. But I think most of my shots that were a bit off still worked out fine, so that was a big help,” he said.

- Michael Vlismas

2022-05-26 18:09:52

Bradley Bawden leads the way at the Kalahari Country Club after the first round. 2022-05-26 13:48:19This week, the Sunshine Tour is at the Sishen Golf Club in Kathu for the Sishen Classic.2022-05-26 13:30:47

Welcome to Sport24's coverage of the Sunshine Tour.