Month: January 2025

HARTBEESPOORT, North West – Daniel van Tonder holds a two-stroke clubhouse lead going into the weekend of the MyGolfLife Open hosted by Pecanwood and is hunting back-to-back victories on the Sunshine Tour and HotelPlanner Tour.

Van Tonder signed for a second round of 66 on Friday to climb to 16 under par overall. His nearest challenger is Martin Vorster who posted a second round of 65 for a total of 14 under par.

But the second round will have to be completed on Saturday morning after play was suspended for a little under two hours due to dangerous weather conditions from an approaching storm.

Van Tonder is coming off a win in last week’s SDC Open and kept his hold on this tournament on another low-scoring day.

Van Tonder, who led the first round with a 62, teed off the first and did most of his scoring around the turn with a run of seven birdies in 10 holes and only one bogey in that stretch.

“I’m very pleased. I played solid. I didn’t really think about how to follow up my 62 yesterday. I took it as a new day to start fresh. But I did feel like I left a few birdies out there, especially on the front nine,” he said.

“You need to keep making birdies here. I’m looking forward to a bit of pressure. I play better when I’m under pressure. My gameplan on the weekend will be the same – head down and attack.”

Behind him, Vorster is also looking forward to a weekend of being in contention after his top-20 finish last week.

“I’m in a great position and excited for the weekend. Everything stays the same for the next two days and then we’ll add up the score at the end,” he said.

Vorster managed his game exceptionally well on Friday on a course where the temptation could be to try and force the birdies.

“It’s easy to get too aggressive on a course like this. You’re tempted to go for every flag, but sometimes taking a wedge and aiming just three steps left or right of the flag is the right shot. You know the scores are going to be really low here, so you need to remind yourself that if you give yourself chances the putts are going to drop. I just stuck to my gameplan very well today,” he said as he chases a maiden professional title.

With the scores as low as they are, the weekend still offers plenty of opportunity for those chasing Van Tonder, including Sebastian Friedrichsen and Nikhil Rama four shots behind him. – Michael Vlismas

HARTBEESPOORT, North West – Daniel van Tonder is in the kind of free-flowing mood that makes him feel like he can win every time he tees it up, and he showed this again on Thursday with a bogey-free 10-under-par 62 to lead the first round of the MyGolfLife Open hosted by Pecanwood.

Van Tonder picked up right where he left off after winning last week’s SDC Open and immediately claimed a two-stroke lead in this Sunshine Tour and HotelPlanner Tour co-sanctioned tournament.

His nearest challengers on eight under par are Luke Brown, Nikhil Rama, Jason Roets and Peter Karmis who all added to a day of low scoring. Karmis in particular holed out with his second on the par-four ninth to join the chasing group.

But as Van Tonder overtook them all in the afternoon, there was a sense that this has happened before.

He won twice on the Sunshine Tour in 2014, then four times in 2020, and twice again in 2024. It’s the kind of pattern that suggests when he starts winning, there is usually more to come.

“I’ve been playing well the last year or so, so it’s nice catching this good form and riding it. It’s nice to reap the rewards of my hard work over the past few months. But I’ll just keep working hard, keep my head down and do my thing,” Van Tonder said.

He recently moved back into first position on the Sunshine Tour Order of Merit delivered by The Courier Guy, and also took the lead on the HotelPlanner Tour’s Road to Mallorca.

And whereas last week he came from seven shots back in the final round to win in a playoff, this week he’s the early frontrunner.

“It’s a bit different this week. I’ll just keep my foot on the gas and keep going. But it’s quite nice to start the week with a round of 10 under par. It makes my job a bit easier over the next three days. The course is playing well and I feel like I left a few more birdies out there. There are low scores out there. This is a good golf course. It places a premium on the tee shot so if you’re hitting it well you’ve got a chance.”

Behind him, Rama has made another good start for the second week in succession. He finished tied 12^th in last week’s SDC Open.

“My game’s been feeling good for a long time now. It’s just nice to see the putts dropping. Everybody is going to score well around here if the putts drop,” he said.

And Roets also continued with his good form after finishing tied fifth last week.

“I was three under through the first three holes and I’ve put myself in a good position. If your short game is good here then the scores are out there. I’m definitely building on the confidence of last week,” he said. – Michael Vlismas

HARTBEESPOORT, North West – The MyGolfLife Open hosted by Pecanwood has drawn an incredibly strong field with a number of rankings contenders on various tours who have gathered on the banks of Hartbeespoort Dam for this Sunshine Tour and HotelPlanner Tour co-sanctioned tournament.

None more so than Daniel van Tonder, who currently holds the top spot on both the Sunshine Tour Order of Merit delivered by The Courier Guy and the HotelPlanner Tour’s Road to Mallorca rankings following his victory in last week’s SDC Open.

Van Tonder has had a clear goal to reclaim his number one position on the Sunshine Tour standings, and this week he wants to keep that momentum.

“I just want to extend my lead. I want to win our Sunshine Tour Order of Merit delivered by The Courier Guy and see where that takes me, because it opens a few doors for me,” he said.

Fellow South African Shaun Norris is back on local fairways this week and playing some of the best golf of his career. He is currently second on the Sunshine Tour Order of Merit delivered by The Courier Guy and third on the DP World Tour’s Race to Dubai following an incredible run of form.

After winning the Alfred Dunhill Championship at Leopard Creek in December, Norris started 2025 in equally strong form with finishes of sixth and 16^th in the DP World Tour’s last two events in the United Arab Emirates.

“It’s great to be back and spend some time at home. The first thing I did was have a braai. I couldn’t have asked for a better start to the year. I’m very happy with the way I’m swinging the club and I’m having a lot of fun with my brother on the bag. Pecanwood has always been a good venue, and the course looks good this week,” said Norris.

This week’s field also includes Wilco Nienaber, JC Ritchie, Benjamin Follett-Smith and Nikhil Rama, who are all currently in the top 10 on the Road to Mallorca rankings.

And the three young stars of Jonathan Broomhead, Yurav Premlall and Dylan Naidoo will also be looking to strengthen their positions within the top five on the Sunshine Tour Order of Merit delivered by The Courier Guy.

It’s a tantalising showcase of South African golf talent, and one which Daniel Egdes, CEO of MoreCorp Membership, says they’re proud to support.

“We believe in what the Sunshine Tour is doing in terms of creating opportunities for South African professionals to compete not only here but also against international golfers from the HotelPlanner Tour and the DP World Tour. Further to this, the MyGolfLife brand is an engagement platform for golfers to reward them for participating in the sport they love. With their increased participation, we also gain more golfers interested in watching tournaments and attending Sunshine Tour events. In any sport, fans need heroes and the Sunshine Tour has created wonderful golf heroes. That also creates more people interested in the game and fuels that increased participation. So it all weaves together in the whole eco system of our game.” – Michael Vlismas

BELA-BELA, Limpopo – Daniel van Tonder claimed a remarkable playoff victory in the SDC Open at the Zebula Golf Estate and Spa on Sunday, and in the process also reclaimed his number one position on the Sunshine Tour Order of Merit delivered by The Courier Guy.

Van Tonder went into the final round seven shots adrift of leader Altin van der Merwe, who was hunting his first victory on the Tour.

But the experienced Van Tonder applied the pressure, most notably with a finish of four straight birdies for a 67 and the clubhouse target of 16 under par. Van Der Merwe, who had played superbly all week, was at one stage of the final round six shots clear of the field. But a double bogey on the seventh and then bogeys on the 13^th and 17^th holes drew him back into a playoff with Van Tonder.

Playing the par-five 18^th, Van Tonder made a solid par for the win while Van Der Merwe ended with a double-bogey seven.

“It’s amazing. I’ve been doing this for a while now and I like to chase a few scores now and then. I was just determined to give myself chances, put a bit of pressure on and then wait and see,” said Van Tonder.

This is his third victory of the season, and also his third playoff win. “I’ve always enjoyed playoffs. I’ve won a couple, and it’s fun.”

This is also Van Tonder’s 12^th victory as a professional, and his first since becoming a father. And it’s given him a clear sense of what his immediate goal will be.

“I’m going to finish off the Sunshine Tour season and I want to win the Order of Merit delivered by The Courier Guy, and see where that takes me. I’m finally number one again and I want to extend that lead even more.”

With a career that now stretches into double figures in terms of victories, including the South African Open, Van Tonder has now definitely played his way into a different sphere of Sunshine Tour status.

“It feels great. I work hard and don’t like taking off days. I’ve never had a coach and everything I do is self-taught. Whatever feels right I try and do.” – Michael Vlismas

BELA-BELA, Limpopo – Altin van der Merwe spent the festive season hitting golf balls on the beach and even putting in his room in a bid to keep his game sharp for the new year. And it’s paid off as he retained his lead going into the weekend of the SDC Open at the Zebula Golf Estate and Spa.

Van Der Merwe signed for a second round of 67 in which he finished with four straight birdies to climb to 11 under par overall in this Sunshine Tour and HotelPlanner Tour co-sanctioned event.

His nearest challengers are Nikhil Rama, Sebastien Gros and Jason Roets on 10 under par. Rama posted a 67 while Gros climbed through the field with a 65 and Roets signed for a sublime 63.

Van Der Merwe spent his holiday break working to be in exactly this kind of position, and he’s determined to take advantage on the weekend.

“Look I felt nervous on the first tee shot of this tournament. Then today was cut day and it’s like there’s something to play for on every day of the tournament. I haven’t been in this position much, but that’s when the practice kicks in. I had a pretty hectic break and didn’t allow myself much time off. I still went to the range or hit balls on the beach or was putting in the room. So I’m hoping for some good things to come,” he said.

Van Der Merwe knows exactly the opportunity that awaits on the weekend, especially in his rookie season on the Sunshine Tour. And after an uncertain start to his round on Friday, he found his momentum on those last four holes which he hopes to carry with him over the next two days.

“I’m very pleased with that finish. At the start I just couldn’t hit it close enough and was two-putting from 30 feet and more.”

An eagle on the par-five 18^th helped to settle the nerves. Van Der Merwe then made his only bogey of the week thus far on the fourth before his strong finish.

“The finish was incredible. I didn’t actually realise it myself. I was just busy trying to not mess up my score. So I ended up going for four flags almost accidently and it paid off. Those four birdies at the end really helped my score. I’m pretty pleased to move forward from here. I’ll play more aggressive golf going forward,” he said. – Michael Vlismas

BELA-BELA, Limpopo – Having his wife as his caddie is clearly working for Altin van der Merwe as he paid tribute to her for his opening six-under-par 66 to lead the first round of the SDC Open by a single stroke at the Zebula Golf Estate and Spa on Thursday.

“My wife left her job in teaching to come and caddie for me and I’m very happy,” said Van Der Merwe after a round in which he didn’t drop a single shot. His nearest challengers are Nikhil Rama, Rupert Kaminski and Calum Fyfe who signed for rounds of 67.

Van Der Merwe said he hadn’t intended to play as aggressively as he did on Thursday, but that when his wife Minette – herself an accomplished golfer – told him to take driver or go for a particular flag, he followed her advice.

“She used to be almost a scratch golfer but she gave up on the dream and decided to help me, which she says it just as much fun for her. She’s that extra support on the bag for me. It’s nice that we’re both mentally engaged and involved in the tournament. She’s also like a psychologist on the course. We get along so well. We’re like friends out there,” he said.

Van Der Merwe, one of GolfRSA’s top amateurs before turning professional last year, is still a rookie on the Sunshine Tour but has already been in contention a few times and has three top-10s this season. This week’s tournament – co-sanctioned with the HotelPlanner Tour (formerly European Challenge Tour) – offers an incredible opportunity for him to fully capitalise on this kind of start.

“I just got into this tournament so I’m very proud to play here. My preparation was intense and I’m taking everything very seriously this week, and for the rest of our season. I just want to build on this for the next few weeks and climb our Order of Merit delivered by The Courier Guy. I’d like to finish in the top 50 or 25 at the end of the season.”

He’s also relishing testing his game against the European professionals this week.

“It’s great to have the players from the HotelPlanner Tour here. I played with Adri Arnaus and you only see good golf shots. He’s just so professional in every manner of the game, and it’s great to watch. There’s still a lot of golf to play this week and anything can happen. I’m definitely eager to win. But whereas as an amateur good golf gets you a win, as a pro, good golf just puts you amongst the top 20. So you really need something extra out here.” – Michael Vlismas

BELA-BELA, Limpopo – An elephant never forgets, and neither does a professional golfer. It explains why both Rhys Enoch and Clément Sordet would’ve most likely smiled at seeing the popular Zebula elephants welcoming the professionals on the driving range to this week’s SDC Open at the Zebula Golf Estate and Spa.

As former champions of this Sunshine Tour and HotelPlanner Tour (formerly European Challenge Tour) co-sanctioned tournament, Enoch and Sordet both have photos of themselves posing with the trophy and one of these elephants.

Enoch in particular certainly hasn’t forgotten his victory here as he returns as the most recent winner of this title in 2024 and looking to become the event’s first double champion.

“It doesn’t feel like it’s been a year actually. It’s always special to be back at a place where you’ve won and I’m just really excited to get going again,” he said ahead of Thursday’s first round.

But the Welshman, who played superb golf last year to win on 24 under par with four consecutive rounds of 66 and with the halfway cut on four under par, says he expects a far different challenge from the course this year.

“Last year I kept my driver in play, which was key. I also putted really well. But this year is completely different than we’ve ever seen it. There’s more rough than ever and the greens are really firm. I firmly believe it won’t be another 24 under par that wins it this year, and the cut will be a lot less as well. It will be a very different challenge and a bit more patience that’s required.”

This marks the start of a very important stretch of four tournaments co-sanctioned by the Sunshine Tour and HotelPlanner Tour. Apart from a multitude of incentives offered by the Sunshine Tour over the next few weeks, there is also the race to finish in the top 20 on the HotelPlanner Tour’s Road to Mallorca rankings this year and thereby earn promotion to the DP World Tour.

So these events in South Africa offer a perfect start for somebody like Enoch, who has made his home in this country and who has big plans for his season.

“The main goal is to finish in the top three on the Road to Mallorca Rankings. I had a really good call with my team last week and sorted out what needs to happen this year, such as becoming more consistent and not just getting lost in grinding it out week in and week out.” – Michael Vlismas

SASOLBURG, Free State (19 January 2025) – Austria’s Max Steinlechner claimed his maiden Sunshine Tour title with a one-shot victory in the Mediclinic Invitational at the Heron Banks Golf and River Resort on Sunday.

In a thrilling final-round duel with South Africa’s Daniel van Tonder, Steinlechner left it to the final hole to make the birdie he needed to win on 24 under par with a closing 66.

“I’m very grateful for getting an invite this week from the Sunshine Tour. This is my first professional win and I want to thank my sponsors and all the people involved,” he said.

The Austrian and Van Tonder were tied for the lead on 23 under par playing the par-four 18^th before Steinlecher made the birdie that secured him the title. Van Tonder parred the hole for a 66 of his own to finish second on 23 under par.

Jonathan Broomhead and Jacques Blaauw shared third on 19 under par, while Yurav Premlall’s share of fifth place earned him his second top 10 in his last four Sunshine Tour events.

Steinlechner started the final round one shot ahead of Van Tonder and the two of them went head-to-head as they both opened with birdies and kept the pressure on each other.

When Steinlechner made bogey on the par-four 16^th it enabled Van Tonder to draw level with him, before the Austrian sealed the win on the final hole.

This marks Steinlechner’s first major professional title after leaving the North Carolina State University in 2023 as Austria’s top-ranked amateur and joining the paid ranks.

It’s also given him the perfect preparation for the upcoming HotelPlanner Tour (formerly European Challenge Tour) co-sanctioned tournaments on the Sunshine Tour, beginning with this week’s SDC Open at Zebula Country Club.

While denied a victory, Van Tonder’s performance keeps him on track for his stated goal of catching Shaun Norris at the top of the Sunshine Tour Order of Merit delivered by The Courier Guy and reclaiming the number one spot he’s held for a large part of this season. Van Tonder is currently second on the Sunshine Tour Order of Merit delivered by The Courier Guy. – Michael Vlismas