Author: Michael Vlismas

Mexico’s Luis Carrera and Australia’s Austin Bautista, the Sunshine Tour’s two newest qualifying school graduates, will head into Sunday’s final round of the FBC ZIM Open chasing maiden victories on the tour at Royal Harare Golf Club.

Carrera heads the field on 14 under par following a third round of 69 on Saturday. He is one stroke clear of Bautista, who signed for a 66. South Africa’s MJ Viljoen remains in contention on 12 under par following his third round of 70.

Carrera, who held the overnight lead, didn’t have the best of starts as he bogeyed the first hole while playing partner Viljoen signalled his intent with an eagle two at the first.

“MJ hit a great shot on the first and eagled, and I bogeyed so it was a three-shot swing. But there was still a lot of golf left and a lot of other players as well, so I needed to focus on my own game, which I did. It was a good round. I didn’t have my A game, but in the end I was happy that I was able to still play well,” said Carrera.

Carrera won the Sunshine Tour’s Qualifying School in April with a magnificent final round of 61 and is looking for a winning start to his career in South Africa.

Behind him, Bautista – another graduate from the Sunshine Tour Qualifying School – made the biggest move on Saturday with a sublime bogey-free 66.

The experienced Trevor Fisher Jnr. and Hennie Otto will head into the final round in tied fourth place on nine under par.

Fisher Jnr. in particular may feel he is due a victory in the FBC Zim Open after twice finishing second in 2012 and 2017, losing in a playoff on both occasions. – Michael Vlismas Media

HARARE, Zimbabwe – Mexico’s Luis Carrera, the winner of the Sunshine Tour Qualifying School in April, is looking for his first victory on the Tour as he heads into the weekend of the FBC Zim Open with a one-stroke lead on 11 under par.

Carrera signed for a second round of six-under-par 66 at the Royal Harare Golf Club on Friday, finishing with two consecutive birdies to secure the overall lead in the first tournament of the new 2025/26 Sunshine Tour season.

It is a powerful statement from Carrera as to his intent on the Sunshine Tour.

After winning the Qualifying School with a career-low round of 61 on the final day, the Mexican professional has some very clear goals for his Sunshine Tour career.

“I think the Sunshine Tour is a great tour. It gives you the potential to get to other tours like the HotelPlanner Tour and DP World Tour. So that’s what made me decide to play here,” he said.

“I’m just very happy to be playing a full season on the Sunshine Tour. I was fortunate to play good golf at the Q School and I won that. Now I’m off to a good start here, and I’m happy about that. This is exactly the way I’d like to start the season. So I’m just looking forward to the weekend. The course is in great shape and my game has been pretty good.”

MJ Viljoen, who finished last year’s tournament in joint sixth place, produced a flawless round of 66 with four birdies on his second nine to make him Carrera’s nearest challenger on 10 under par.

The South African focused on doing the basics right on Friday. “I had a good couple of days and have been playing solid golf. The patience paid off today. I did my thing, kept the ball in play, and got it on the green,” he said.

As a multiple winner on the Sunshine Tour, Viljoen said he is simply focusing on his own game going into the weekend. “There will be a lot of thoughts going through my head. But if I just focus on my processes, stay patient, and keep doing what I am doing, you never know.”

Hennie Otto, who led the first round, remained in contention in joint third place on seven under par with a second round of 71. – Michael Vlismas Media

HARARE, Zimbabwe – The evergreen Hennie Otto rolled back the years against some of the Sunshine Tour’s youngest stars as he claimed the lead on day one of the FBC Zim Open at the Royal Harare Golf Club on Thursday.

The 48-year-old Otto signed for an opening six-under-par 66 for a one-stroke lead over Tyrone Ryan, Luis Carrera, Austin Bautista and another veteran in Doug McGuigan.

South Africa’s Ryan took the early clubhouse lead in this R3 million tournament with his 67, and was later joined by McGuigan, Carrera – the winner of the Sunshine Tour Qualifying School in April who had a strong run of five consecutive birdies on his second nine – and Bautista.

Otto then broke that stranglehold with his birdie on the 18^th, and the South African has put himself in a strong position to claim his 15^th Sunshine Tour title this week and his first since 2023.

It’s been a few years since Otto has found himself in contention in Zimbabwe. He finished seventh in 1998 the year former world number one Nick Price took the title, and then third in 1999 and 13^th in 2010.

It was a tough start for defending champion Michael Hollick as he opened with a 78 in a first round that began in chilly conditions.

JC Ritchie, the winner of the 2017 title, started his week well with an opening round of 69 to put him just three shots off the lead.

The FBC Zim Open marks the start of the Sunshine Tour’s new 2025/26 season. – Michael Vlismas Media

• Daniel van Tonder crowned winner of Sunshine Tour Order of Merit 
  delivered by The Courier Guy
• Altin van der Merwe wins the Fortress Rookie of the Year award

LANSERIA, Gauteng – Michael Hollick ended the current Sunshine Tour season in the same way he started it with a victory in the DNi Tour Championship presented by RMB at the Blair Atholl Golf and Equestrian Estate on Sunday, and on a day when Daniel van Tonder was also crowned the winner of the Sunshine Tour Order of Merit delivered by The Courier Guy for the 2024/25 season, and Altin van der Merwe won the Fortress Rookie of the Year award.

Hollick closed with a sublime 64 to win on 19 under par, one clear of Jacques Kruyswijk and George Coetzee.

“After playing sort of part-time the last two years and coaching, I’ve played really nicely for the past three or four months, so there has been progress. Sometimes you’ve just got to believe in yourself a bit. I think that’s what happened. It’s been an absolutely special year,” said Hollick, who started the season with a win in the FBC Zimbabwe Open.

Heading into the back nine of this event it was still anybody’s title as both Kruyswijk and Coetzee kept the pressure on Hollick. But Hollick held his nerve and produced a great second onto the green at the par-five 18^th to set up a birdie finish and claim the title.

Hollick was not the only one celebrating on Sunday evening.

The leading three professionals on the final Sunshine Tour Order of Merit delivered by The Courier Guy who earned their DP World Tour cards (not already exempt) are Van Tonder, Jonathan Broomhead and Yurav Premlall. That could change with Van Tonder in a position to earn a DP World Tour card through the HotelPlanner Tour this season already, in which case his card would move to Hollick as the next highest ranked non-exempt player.

As the winner of the Order of Merit delivered by The Courier Guy, Van Tonder also receives exemptions into The Open and US PGA Championship as well as the Nedbank Golf Challenge. He also earns a R500 000 bonus, the use of a Hyundai Palisade for one year, and a seven-night international cruise worth R75 000 courtesy of MSC Cruises.

“This means a lot to me, especially after twice finishing second on the Order of Merit delivered by The Courier Guy. So to finally win it means so much to me. There are some great tournaments I can look forward to, and I’m finally going to be playing in the Nedbank Golf Challenge,” said Van Tonder.

As the second-placed finisher on the season standings, Shaun Norris receives a R200 000 bonus and the use of a Hyundai Tucson for one year. Dylan Naidoo, the third-placed finisher, receives a R100 00 bonus and the use of a Hyundai Exter for one year.

Altin van der Merwe celebrated a memorable rookie season on the Sunshine Tour in which he came close to a maiden victory, and was crowned the Fortress Rookie of the Year which earned him a R200 000 bonus.

“It means everything to me. I’ve been looking forward to playing pro golf and the Sunshine Tour for the last seven years, so I could never have asked for a better first season. I’ve learnt a couple of lessons this season so I’m looking forward to next season,” said Van Der Merwe.

It was a celebration of another incredible season on the Sunshine Tour and which was praised by Gayton McKenzie, the Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture who attended the final prize giving of the season.

“You look at everybody involved in this Sunshine Tour event, and this is what makes us a great country – all of the corporates who are backing our sport. In my opinion, South Africa has the best golfers in the world. Wherever you travel in the world, they either ask me about our golf or the Springboks,” he said.

Thomas Abt, Commissioner of the Sunshine Tour, was also delighted with a season that truly showcased the growing strength of the Tour.

“It’s been an incredible season with so many memorable moments and an array of incentives for our golfers from all of our wonderful partners. That’s what we keep working for – to create those pathways for our professionals to further their careers. We’re grateful for all of our partners for their support.

“I’d also like to thank everybody who played a role in making this such a successful season, from the Nomads who help with the scoring at all of our tournaments, to SuperSport and the media, to GolfRSA and the other golf bodies we work so closely with, and to all who play a part in this amazing product that is South African golf.” – Michael Vlismas Media

LANSERIA, Gauteng – George Coetzee is chasing his second victory in as many weeks on the Sunshine Tour as he heads into the weekend of the DNi Tour Championship presented by RMB with a two-stroke lead.

Coetzee produced a bogey-free 65 in Friday’s second round to lead on 12 under par.

Daniel Van Tonder, currently top of the Sunshine Tour Order of Merit delivered by The Courier Guy, is his nearest challenger on 10 under par after his four-under-par 68.

Coetzee is looking for back-to-back wins after his victory in last week’s Serengeti Playoffs, and was able to take advantage of a wet Blair Atholl Golf and Equestrian Estate course despite the round starting later than scheduled because of waterlogged greens.

“The golf course has been pretty wet the whole week. It doesn’t change the way we play. It just made us a little more aware” Coetzee said.

“It was pretty solid. I learned my lessons in the first round and played a little more conservative. Patience was really key – waiting for opportunities and not trying to force it. That approach kind of spilled over to the front-nine. I played pretty well.”

Having worked his way back from injury, Coetzee found his rhythm again last week with his 15^th Sunshine Tour title, and he wants to build on that this weekend.

“Last week was very much a surprise for me having that much form. I am trying to just appreciate it coming here, not neglecting it and trying to make the best of it.”

With this being the final tournament of the season and of the new Courier Guy Playoffs Series, Coetzee is looking forward to the challenge of the weekend.

“It should be very exiting I think. We all keep an eye on what everybody does as we play. You just need to play well enough to be in the mix come the last three holes on Sunday.”

It was also a good day for Jonathan Broomhead who impressed with a bogey-free round of six-under-par 66 on his way to nine-under for the tournament, moving up the leaderboard into third place and three shots behind the leader. – Michael Vlismas Media

LANSERIA, Gauteng – JC Ritchie opened with a bogey-free seven-under-par 65 to lead the first round of the Sunshine Tour’s season-ending DNi Tour Championship presented by RMB at Blair Atholl Golf and Equestrian Estate on Thursday, but with the in-form Daniel van Tonder just one shot behind him.

Ritchie gave himself a great start to his round with birdies at the first and second holes.

“I’ve been hitting the golf ball very well the last couple of weeks and it’s always nice to get off to a good start birdieing the first two holes,” he said.

Behind him, Van Tonder was also bogey-free in his opening 66 as he seeks to close out a remarkable season in which he’s already won four titles and is currently top of the Sunshine Tour Order of Merit delivered by The Courier Guy.

George Coetzee, the winner of last week’s Serengeti Playoffs, and Jacques Blaauw came through the opening day in joint third place on five under par.

But it was a good start for Ritchie, who felt he finally received the reward for the golf he feels he’s been playing this season.

“I’ve been playing really well and the game is feeling good. I’ve just been waiting for it to fall into place. Hopefully this is the week. I’ve been needing and wanting to get back into the winning circle again, but I am not too worried about it.”

Ritchie was impressed with the fact that he didn’t make a single bogey on the demanding Blair Atholl Golf and Equestrian Estate course.

“It’s always a nice treat to not make any bogeys. I hit a lot of fairways and greens, so that helps to keep the bogeys off the card as well.” – Michael Vlismas Media

LANSERIA, Gauteng – It all comes down to this.

A field drawn from the top 50 available Sunshine Tour professionals, a season of consistency, the last 72 holes, and everything to play for.

The R3 million DNi Tour Championship presented by RMB, which tees off at the Blair Atholl Golf and Equestrian Estate on Thursday, will bring down the curtain on one of the most historic seasons in Sunshine Tour history.

At the same time, as the final tournament of the Sunshine Tour’s new Courier Guy Playoffs Series, the DNi Tour Championship will also reward the Tour’s most consistent performers of the 2024/25 season with potentially life-changing opportunities.

Daniel van Tonder heads into this week’s tournament in first place on the Sunshine Tour Order of Merit delivered by The Courier Guy. With second-placed Shaun Norris not in the field this week, it will be up to third-placed Dylan Naidoo to see if he can put any pressure on Van Tonder.

Van Tonder is looking to close out an incredible season in which he’s won four times and had a further 13 top-10s.

With only 555.19 points separating Van Tonder and Naidoo, and 795.10 points on offer for the winner this week, it would take a victory by Naidoo and an uncharacteristic slip-up by Van Tonder for the latter not to claim his first victory on the Order of Merit delivered by The Courier Guy. Van Tonder has twice finished runner-up in this race in his career.

There are also significant rewards on offer this week.

The top three professionals on the final Order of Merit delivered by The Courier Guy will all receive DP World Tour cards for the following season. For those who already have DP World Tour cards, this incentive will pass down to the next non-exempt player but to a limit of the 10^th-placed finisher on the Order of Merit delivered by The Courier Guy.

The first-place finisher will receive exemptions into the Nedbank Golf Challenge as well as two Majors – The Open Championship and US PGA Championship – and a R500 000 cash bonus. Second place will earn a R200 000 cash bonus, while the third-place finisher will earn a R100 000 bonus.

It’s exactly the kind of week and season-ending showdown that Dr Ryan Noach, DNi Group Chief Executive Officer, expected for their inaugural foray into the world of professional golf.

“DNi is thrilled to be hosting the DNi Tour Championship, in partnership with RMB and the Sunshine Tour. This championship creates a platform for the leading 50 Sunshine Tour professionals to compete for top spot at the challenging Blair Atholl golf course. DNi stands for greatness and excellence, and prides ourselves on partnering founders in distribution, telecoms and tech businesses to excel, grow and win! Golf offers a unique platform for industry leaders to engage socially and competitively, and together with RMB, we look forward to the event and the time together with valued colleagues,” he said.

It reflects a similar sentiment from Rob Leon, Investment Banking Managing Executive at RMB, who said: “RMB is proud to partner with DNi in bringing another exceptional event to the Sunshine Tour calendar. This partnership is built on a shared belief in greatness and optimism – whether that be in sport or business. Just as we support businesses by providing financial and strategic backing within a collaborative ecosystem, we also recognise the importance of investing in talent and creating opportunities for excellence. The partnership is a natural fit, and we look forward to building on it in the years to come,” he said.

The leading rookie will also be crowned by the end of this week, with Altin van der Merwe currently leading the Fortress Rookie of the Year standings and the race to the R200 000 cash bonus. – Michael Vlismas

George Coetzee claimed the 15^th title of his Sunshine Tour career with a three-stroke victory in the Serengeti Playoffs on Sunday, and with it also secured the first win of the new Courier Guy Playoffs Series.

Coetzee signed for a solid 69 to win on 19 under par at Serengeti Estates. Daniel van Tonder finished second on 16 under par with a final round of 69.

After a slow and steady start with regular pars on the first seven holes, Coetzee made an eagle on the par-five eighth hole and added a further two birdies and just one bogey that was enough to ensure him a victory.

“It was a very busy day for me in my head. I tried to stay in my lane and do what I have to do, follow my routines and to follow my gameplan to play as well as possible. Things worked today, but you never know. It took me like five holes just to feel like it was me playing, and around the middle of the round it started to feel a little better,” he said.

For Coetzee, after returning from injury and celebrating the birth of his child in this time, this victory was very special.

“You want to do stuff that your kids can be proud of, like I am proud of my parents and I want my kid to be proud of me.”

With the victory Coetzee moves up with 48 places on the Order of Merit delivered by The Courier Guy to the 28^th spot, securing a place in next week’s tournament – the season-ending DNi Tour Championship presented by RMB.

The top 50 players on the Order of Merit delivered by The Courier Guy after this event progress to the DNi Tour Championship presented by RMB at Blair Atholl Golf and Equestrian Estate, which will bring down the curtain on the 2024/2025 season.

Playing in the leading group on Sunday, Daniel van Tonder, the current leader on the Order of Merit delivered by The Courier Guy leader, pushed hard on the final day but could not close in on Coetzee.

Stefan Wears-Taylor’s eight-under-par 64 in the final round moved him into a share of third place on 14-under-par with youngsters Kyle de Beer (67) and Stals Swart (70).

Altin van der Merwe ended the tournament in a share of sixth place on 13-under-par with a 68, and thereby secured his place as the current leader on the Fortress Top Rookie of the Year standings with the final tournament of the season to come. – Michael Vlismas Media

KEMPTON PARK, Ekurhuleni – With so much on the line in The Courier Guy Playoffs Series, it’s hardly surprising that everybody from the young pros to the experienced ones were feeling it in Saturday’s third round of the Serengeti Playoffs at Serengeti Estates.

Coetzee held onto his lead in this event, with a third round of 69 lifting him to 16 under par and three strokes clear going into Sunday’s final round. It will be a big final round for him as he seeks the affirmation of the hard work he’s put in since his return from injury.

The experienced Sunshine Tour professional started his third round with four birdies in his first five holes, and will try to put his double bogey on 18 out of his mind.

Daniel van Tonder is his nearest challenger on 13 under following a solid 64.

But Jonathan Broomhead, who is sitting tied third with Stals Swart on 12 under par, summed up the  general tenseness of the playoffs when he said, “There’s a lot on the line at the moment. I was struggling to handle my nerves today”.

Coetzee though was very happy with his long game in particular.

“I’ve been working on all parts of my game really hard, so it’s nice that something has clicked in my long game, which gets the ball into play with a chance to do something.”

If anything, as he seeks to hone his own competitive edge after his injury, Coetzee has been more than willing to lend some of his experience to the younger professionals on the Sunshine Tour.

“I feel like you learn a lot and if you take it to the grave what is the point? There is a lot to share. I tell the guys that my door is always open, just ask me and I will tell you what I know,” he said.

With Van Tonder chasing him, and young guns like Broomhead and Stals Swart also ready to take advantage, Coetzee will use every bit of his vast experience in a final round poised to be an incredible showcase.

And that’s exactly what The Courier Guy Playoffs Series demands. – Michael Vlismas Media