Month: February 2026

American Ryder Cup star and 2018 Masters champion Patrick Reed will make his debut in the Joburg Open at Houghton Golf Club from 5-8 March as he looks to make a piece of DP World Tour history in South Africa.

Reed has confirmed his place in a strong field for the 18^th edition of this Sunshine Tour and DP World Tour co-sanctioned tournament.

The current world number 18 heads to Johannesburg as the leader on the DP World Tour’s Race to Dubai and also hoping to wrap up a victory on the International Swing, with the Joburg Open the last tournament on this Global Swing.

Should he achieve this, he will become the first American winner of the International Swing since its inception in 2024.

“The Sunshine Tour has been so supportive for my first trip to South Africa. I’m looking forward to meeting everyone in person and teeing it up against the guys in the 2026 Joburg Open. I’ve heard great things about the Houghton Golf Club course, and I know it will be an exciting tournament start to finish,” said Reed.

Reed has already won two of the seven tournaments on the International Swing, and finished tied second in another, and is chasing the $200 000 bonus for the winner of the International Swing as well as exemption into all of the DP World Tour’s exclusive Back 9 Tournaments later this season.

Joining Reed will be South Africa’s Jayden Schaper, a back-to-back winner on the Sunshine Tour and DP World Tour at the end of last year in the Alfred Dunhill Championship and AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open, and England’s Andy Sullivan, a former Joburg Open champion.

With the trio of Reed, Schaper and Sullivan, the 2026 Joburg Open will feature the top three players on the current Race to Dubai rankings.

The field also includes a host of former Joburg Open winners in defending champion Callum Hill, as well as Thriston Lawrence, Dan Bradbury, Andy Sullivan, Richard Sterne, Shubhankar Sharma and Darren Fichardt.

South Africa’s Shaun Norris and Jacques Kruyswijk, who finished runner-up in the playoff with Hill last year, are also headed to Johannesburg in March.

It all makes for one of the strongest fields in recent Joburg Open history.

“The Joburg Open is more than a golf tournament. It’s a statement of confidence in our city’s infrastructure, our people, and our ability to welcome the world while unlocking economic opportunities and showcasing Johannesburg as a global city of choice,” said the Executive Mayor of the City of Johannesburg, Cllr Dada Morero. – Michael Vlismas Media

DURBAN, KwaZulu-Natal – Spain’s Pablo Ereno carded his lowest tournament round of 10-under-par 62 to lead the first round of the Jonsson Workwear Durban Open by a single stroke at Durban Country Club on Thursday.

Ereno opened with two consecutive birdies and then produced a run of six birdies and an eagle in eight holes over the turn as the foundation of his round. It’s given him another shot at a victory on the Sunshine Tour and HotelPlanner Tour after coming close with a fourth-place finish in Cape Town two weeks ago.

“The round started pretty hot with a couple of birdies in the first two holes. The conditions were great this morning. My ball striking was really good and my distance control with my irons and wedges was good so I created a lot of birdie chances. I’m really happy. I got to 10 under after the 14^th and then bogeyed 16. But I’m really happy and in a good position for the rest of the week,” he said.

His nearest challenger is South Africa’s Kieron van Wyk, whose 63 included a chip-in for eagle on the driveable par-four 18^th.

It was a low-scoring opening day, with Australia’s Austin Batista signing for an eight-under-par 64, and Peru’s Julian Perico bouncing back from a bogey and double bogey in his first three holes and playing his next 15 holes in 10 under par for a 65 to end the first day on seven under overall.

Ereno has made a very fast start to his season in South Africa with finishes of 22^nd in the SDC Open and then fourth in the CIRCA Cape Town Open.

“I didn’t know what to expect, but I’ve been practising really hard and my game’s in a good spot at the moment. It’s been great in South Africa. The weather’s awesome and the courses have been great,” he said.

The Spaniard took full advantage of a beautifully calm morning at Durban Country Club, which is in exceptional condition for this tournament.

“I’m just really happy with how I played. If the wind does come I’ll be ready for it. But I loved this golf course from the moment I first saw it this week. I love this type of course.”

Van Wyk was equally pleased with his round.

“I played really well. I only missed one green so hit the ball really nicely, and then I rolled in a couple of 30-foot putts. I always play well on golf courses where you have to position yourself and think your way around. It plays to my short-game strengths,” he said. – Michael Vlismas

The Sunshine Tour’s most widespread gathering of winners from across the South African game – the Waterfall City Tournament of Champions, supported by Attacq and WCMC – is building to yet another impressive tournament when this showpiece event tees off at Royal Johannesburg’s famed East Course next season.

The 4-7 June 2026 tournament is positioned as a premium platform that recognises achievement, advances inclusivity, and supports the development of sport in South Africa as a catalyst for social and economic development.

Willie Vos, CEO of Waterfall City Management Company (WCMC), said: “We are very proud to be associated with the Sunshine Tour for the third consecutive year, as our organisations share strong brand values. At Waterfall City, we are driven by passion, a commitment to excellence, and an innovative approach to everything we do, while always showing respect and care for the people we serve. These values are clearly reflected in the Sunshine Tour’s reputation for golf excellence, its progressive outlook, and its inclusive approach – particularly through its support of golfers with disabilities, which underscores a deep respect for the sport and its participants.”

Michael Clampett, Asset and Property Executive at Attacq, said the tournament reflects the company’s long-term vision for Waterfall City as more than a commercial destination. “Waterfall City was designed to be a place where business, lifestyle and community intersect. Supporting the Tournament of Champions allows us to invest in a platform that celebrates excellence while contributing to the growth and transformation of South African sport.”

The field for this tournament is one of the deepest and most comprehensive in terms of winners in the South African game as it includes, upon their availability:

• The winner of the 2025/26 Sunshine Tour Order of Merit delivered by the Courier Guy,
• The 2025/26 Fortress Rookie of the Year
• The leading Papwa Sewgolum Class player from the 2025/26 Sunshine Tour Order of Merit delivered by the Courier Guy not otherwise exempt
• The South African winners of international tournaments held outside of the borders of South Africa from 1 January 2025 until the Waterfall City Tournament of Champions, supported by Attacq and WCMC.
• The winner of the 2026 Sunshine Ladies Tour Investec Order of Merit
• The Sunshine Ladies Tour winners from 2026
• The winner of the 2025 Betway Big Easy Tour Order of Merit
• The winner of the 2026 Africa Amateur
• The leading amateur from the GolfRSA Order of Merit as nominated by GolfRSA
• The leading golfers within the South African Disabled Golf Association (SADGA)
• Five wild card entries

With a prize fund of R2.5 million, including R1 million for the winning professional, the tournament will feature comprehensive coverage on SuperSport Channel 213 Golf. Professionals and amateurs will compete over 72 holes of stroke play, with SADGA golfers contesting 36 holes of medal play.

This season’s road to the Waterfall City Tournament of Champions, supported by Attacq and WCMC on the Sunshine Tour alone included a thrilling start by Mexico’s Luis Carrera when he won the first two tournaments of the season back-to-back.

Michael Hollick claimed a win in a groundbreaking season for him which has seen him graduate to the DP World Tour.

Former DP World Tour champion Haydn Porteous found his way back into the winner’s circle for the first time in eight years.

Young star Casey Jarvis won twice in three weeks on the Sunshine Tour in November. And Jayden Schaper stunned world golf when he claimed back-to-back victories in Sunshine Tour and DP World Tour co-sanctioned events in December on his way to breaking into the top 50 on the Official World Golf Ranking for the first time in his career.

DURBAN, KwaZulu-Natal – When South African professional Brandon Stone sat in the office of Nick Jonsson, the CEO of Jonsson Workwear, their biggest connection was not around their shared love of golf. It was around work.

Jonsson is a man who has dedicated his business to recognising and validating the purity of the working man and woman’s daily efforts to provide for their loved ones, and to designing the workwear that allows them to do that at their best. So when Stone sat in his office talking about work in golf, it piqued his interest.

“I said to Mr Jonsson, if you look at the history of golf, it started with workwear clothing. When golfers wore three-piece suits and ties on the course, they wore the long socks over their trousers purely because they needed to keep their trousers clean for work afterwards. Jonsson Workwear have launched their new golfers’ shirts, and while designed to play golf in, at the same time you can go to work in them because they look smart and respectable while being purpose-designed for work. Mr Jonsson looked at me, and it made sense for him,” Stone said as he walked the fairways of Durban Country Club in a practice round for this week’s R6-million Jonsson Workwear Durban Open on the Sunshine Tour and HotelPlanner Tour, which tees off on Thursday.

It’s why Stone now proudly wears the Jonsson Workwear brand. And it’s why he speaks so passionately about a deeper connection to work in his own life.

“I’m fortunate that my work takes place on a beautiful lush golf course. But everybody is fighting their own battles – whether that’s the man working on the Durban docks or the professional golfer trying to make par from the bush at Durban Country Club. Obviously there are different levels of struggle, but I’ve gone through my own struggles of losing my card on the DP World Tour and having to start from the beginning and earn my privilege to play again. I’ve done that.”

Stone has also always recognised the hard work of those around him, starting with his parents.

“This week, my mom is the CEO of Durban Country Club and my dad works with the Matkovich golf course maintenance group, and they’ve both been here at 4am every morning to make sure this tournament goes according to plan. That work ethic from them has been passed down to me. I’ve always felt I need to put in the work and earn the right to play out here. Hard work is the essence of the Stone name and I’m proud to carry that.”

While the connection between what Stone does as a professional golfer to what the man working on the Durban docks does may seem too far-fetched, the realities of life are the leveller between the two.

“A few years ago my mom had life-threatening health issues. It’s no secret that everybody out there is going through something. My mom’s started playing golf now. In December my brother was visiting and we played a round of golf as a family. My mom never thought she’d ever be able to play golf with her boys. That was a special moment for all of us.”

Work comes together in a beautiful way in the game this week.

The work Nick Jonsson has invested in reviving Durban Country Club to an even better version of its former glory, and personally overseeing the complete revamp of this golf course. The Sunshine Tour’s own vision that the work done on these fairways represents their belief that “GreatnessBeginsHere”. The work Stone is doing inside the ropes on these fairways, and the highs of lows of his journey in this game. And the red brand name on his golf shirt that connects it all under the banner of good works.

For Stone, it’s about doing the work this week. For himself. For his family.

For the man on the Durban docks, that’s something he understands as well. – Michael Vlismas

GEORGE, Western Cape – MJ Daffue eagled the last to claim an emotional victory in the NTT DATA Pro-Am brought to you by Standard Bank at Fancourt on Sunday.

The South African closed with a 69 to win a tense final round on 16 under par 200.

Ireland’s Max Kennedy, American Hunter Logan, South Africa’s Bryce Easton and Zimbabwe’s Kieran Vincent all took second place on 12 under par.

It was a remarkable victory for Daffue, who returned to South Africa recently to play his way back into form after a frustrating past two years of injuries and surgeries.

“I’ve always dreamt of having my son run onto the 18^th green after a win, and to be honest there was a time when I wondered if it would ever happen. But today it did,” said an emotional Daffue, who was playing on an invitation in this event.

Equally significant is that this victory earns him a place in the upcoming Investec South African Open at Stellenbosch Golf Club in two weeks’ time, which he wasn’t exempt for until this victory. – Michael Vlismas

GEORGE, Western Cape – Fancourt holds some special memories for Ernie Els. In 2003 he stared down Tiger Woods in an epic Presidents Cup playoff at The Links. Neither of them blinked, and eventually darkness had the final say and the Cup was shared. He also launched his foundation at Fancourt. On Saturday, Els added another special memory.

When darkness brought an end to an incomplete second round of the NTT DATA Men’s Pro-Am brought to you by Standard Bank, the 56-year-old South African settled into a glass of red wine having played his way to just five shots off the lead held by MJ Daffue. Daffue climbed to 13 under par overall with his sublime 64 on the Outeniqua course.

South Africa’s Deon Germishuys and American Hunter Logan finished their rounds on 11 under, while Zimbabwe’s Benjamin Follett-Smith is also 11 under through nine holes.

Rain on Saturday morning meant the start of the round was delayed to 11:30am. The second round will be completed on Sunday morning before the start of the final round.

But on an overcast day at Fancourt, Els certainly brought the silver lining with a round of golf that had the Fancourt residents streaming out of their homes and onto the fairways of the Montagu course he was playing.

At one stage he was seven under through 11 holes. Even though he made back-to-back bogeys on the back nine, it was a round that has given him an outside chance for Sunday.

“I really had it going at one point there and I was looking at something special. I think I ran out of steam. But listen, I’ll be around for the final day and if I get another run like that, I’d love to finish it off with something nice,” said Els.

“It was great out there. A lot of people were coming out of their homes to watch, and a lot of my friends who I play with here. We had a good time out there. I won here in 1993, believe it or not. That’s how far back I go at Fancourt. There are many great memories for me here. So I’m looking forward to keep chipping away at my game and get it really sharp for the Investec South African Open.”

At the top of the leaderboard, Daffue is just as eager to finish off strong on Sunday, and also with an eye on the Investec South African Open in two weeks’ time.

“My game feels close. This is my lowest round in a while and coming off the surgeries I’ve had. I am not in the Investec SA Open at present. But if I go and take care of business on Sunday and it’s my time and I win, then that will get me in.” – Michael Vlismas

GEORGE, Western Cape – With one day of the NTT DATA Men’s Pro-Am having been lost to the weather, Zimbabwe’s Benjamin Follett-Smith was clearly determined to make up for lost time as he raced around Fancourt’s Outeniqua layout in 60 to take the lead in this Sunshine Tour and HotelPlanner Tour event.

Follett-Smith did not drop a single shot during an incredible round of 12 under, which also included a second nine of 29. He leads by three strokes over South Africa’s JJ Senekal, who made his 63 on the Outeniqua course. South African Gerhard Pepler and Ireland’s Max Kennedy are currently third following their rounds of seven under 65, having also played Outeniqua. Ernie Els signed for an opening 69 on the Outeniqua.

“It’s my lowest on the Sunshine Tour for sure, and it’s tied my best score,” Follett-Smith said.

“Usually things go your way when you’re that low. I left a few putts short starting the round and figured out the greens are slower than what we’re used to here from all the rain. I got the hang of just pitching at the flag and taking advantage of how well I’m playing tee to green. I could be very aggressive from the fairway.”

It all came so easy for Follett-Smith that he even miscalculated his own score coming down the stretch of what was a very real shot at a 59.

“I honestly thought I was 11 under with the last hole to play. Unfortunately we added up wrong. So the 59 didn’t work out, but it’s okay because the whole day worked out in the end.”

The top three scores came from the Outeniqua, which traditionally is the more forgiving of Fancourt’s courses during this event.

“You want to take as much as you can from Outeniqua. Wilco (Nienaber) did that last year when he won so I took a page out of his book and luckily it worked out for me.”

It was an impressive start from a golfer who had all elements of his game ready to take advantage on Thursday.

“Tee to green is really good at the moment. My driver is really good and I’m getting exactly what I want out of it. Fade, draw or straight – it’s all on call at the moment, which is nice. And that becomes confidence on the greens. The five footers became inside rights and inside lefts, which worked out.” – Michael Vlismas

Masters champion, Patrick Reed, is excited and has confirmed that he will play in the Investec South African Open Championship at Stellenbosch Golf Club from 26 February to 1 March, 2026.
 
Reed will make his debut in golf’s second oldest national Open by virtue of his returning status on the DP World Tour, which co-sanctions this tournament with the Sunshine Tour.
 
“I’m really excited to make my first trip to South Africa. I have many friends from South Africa and I look forward to competing in their home country on the DP World Tour and in conjunction with the Sunshine Tour,” Reed said.
 
The current world number 17 adds to what will be one of the most significant weeks in world golf, with the 115^th Investec South African Open Championship offering a direct pathway into two of the game’s iconic Majors.
 
The winner of this year’s Investec South African Open Championship will earn an exemption to the 2026 Masters, while the top three finishers will earn a place in The 154^th Open at Royal Birkdale if not already exempt.
 
Reed heads to Stellenbosch as the most in-form golfer on the DP World Tour at present with two victories and a runner-up in three tournaments this year, a place at the top of the International Swing, and currently first on the Race to Dubai Rankings.
 
The Ryder Cup star will also seek to become the first American winner of the Investec South African Open in over three decades, with Fred Wadsworth the last American champion in 1989.
 
Reed strengthens a field that at present includes fellow Major winner and five-time Investec South African Open champion Ernie Els, Masters champion Charl Schwartzel as well as five of the last six Investec South African Open champions in defending champion Dylan Naidoo, Dean Burmester, Thriston Lawrence, Daniel van Tonder and Branden Grace.
 
Stellenbosch Golf Club will be a fitting venue for one of the most keenly anticipated Investec South African Opens in recent history, with the course having just completed a series of comprehensive changes that will make it a far from different test from when it last hosted the championship in 1999.
 
The golf course has been lengthened and will now play at 7 268 yards as a par 70.
 
A total of 15 tee boxes were upgraded, with 10 of these built new or reconstructed, and five resurfaced. All 44 bunkers on the course have also been upgraded, and more trees have been planted in strategic areas on several holes. The dam near the 18th green has also been enlarged to make for an even more spectacular finish and to enhance the strategy on this hole. – Michael Vlismas

GEORGE, Western Cape – A deluge of rain at Fancourt on Thursday has led to both the NTT DATA Men’s and Ladies’ Pro-Ams being shortened to 54 holes and 36 holes respectively.

Heavy rain prevented a single ball from being hit on what was meant to be the first round of the men’s Sunshine Tour and HotelPlanner Tour co-sanctioned tournament on Thursday. Following repeated delays to the start of the round, it was eventually called off at 12:14.

The men’s tournament is traditionally played over the three golf courses of The Links, Outeniqua and Montagu.

But with all three golf courses left waterlogged by Thursday’s rain, the tournament has been shortened to 54 holes. It will now be played solely over the Outeniqua and Montagu courses for the first two rounds, after which there will be a cut and the final round will be played solely on the Montagu.

The ladies’ tournament was scheduled to start on Friday and has now been shortened to 36 holes on Saturday and Sunday with no halfway cut, and to be played solely on The Links.

“It’s a tough decision to make to have to cancel any round of golf. We had 18mm of rain through the night, on top of the rain already had in this area. We had continual rain on Thursday. In consultation with the head greenkeeper it was felt the courses had gone too far for us to be able to play today. We have more rain forecast for Thursday evening and also Friday afternoon through the night into Saturday. So if we continued in the same course order of playing all three courses, if we had as much as a two-hour delay we wouldn’t be able to complete the tournament. So we agreed to change the format to accommodate this,” said Gary Butler, Tournament Director of the HotelPlanner Tour. – Michael Vlismas Media