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England’s Eddie Pepperell and Denmark’s Hamish Brown share the lead heading into the weekend of the AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open at Mont Choisy Le Golf, with South Africa’s Christo Lamprecht just one shot behind them.

Pepperell maintained his place at the top of the leaderboard, climbing to eight under par with a solid 70 on Friday. Brown joined him with a round of 68 that started with three birdies in his first five holes.

In the afternoon, Lamprecht then moved into contention on seven under par with his round of 68, and was later joined there by Denmark’s Jacob Skov Olesen following his round of 70.

Pepperell in particular, is well aware that a weekend of opportunity awaits and the last two days have given him some much-needed confidence for the challenge ahead.

“It’s been a while since I’ve been able to feel really confident because it’s just been a lot of bad stuff in there at times. But I think what I’ve been working on with my swing the last few days does have legs, and let’s hope it has weekend legs,” he said.

“The confidence goes quicker than it comes back, but we all know that if you’re a good player and you find something the confidence can come back quite fast. Then you’ve just got to keep that magic as long as you can. That’s the challenge for me to overcome this weekend.”

As co-leader, Brown is looking forward to a weekend of continuing the momentum of having just gained his DP World Tour card through the European Challenge Tour.

“It’s nice. There’s still a lot of golf left, but it’s nice. I never doubted my ability to be good enough at this level. But it’s still nice to actually do it. I’m looking forward to the weekend,” he said.

The leaderboard remains extremely close going into the final 36 holes, with Lamprecht in particular keen to take advantage of a new mindset he has for this tournament.

“The mindset this week has changed. I just came from playing PGA Tour Q School in America and that was one of the most tense weeks of my career by far. So coming over here with my whole family, who I haven’t seen in a year, I’m treating it as a holiday week and just having fun. That’s been really helpful. It’s a holiday weekend now. That’s all it is. I’m just going to go out there and enjoy it,” he said.

The AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open is proudly supported by leading brands such as AfrAsia Bank, Beachcomber Resorts & Hotels, the Mont Choisy Group, the Mauritius Tourism Promotion Authority (MTPA), the Economic Development Board (EDB) Mauritius, Rogers, IBL, Emtel, Heritage Resorts, Mastercard, Poncini, Range Rover, the Mauritius Golf Federation, Phoenix Beverages, Kohler, ticketbox.mu, DStv, Air Mauritius, C-Care, Mautourco, Häagen-Dazs, Ernie Els Wines, London No.1 Gin, Famous Grouse, Oaks and Ames, Graham Beck, Miko Coffee, TCL, CBE and SMAG.

Eddie Pepperell enjoyed a memorable first ever round of competitive golf in Mauritius as he opened with a six-under-par 66 to lead the first round of the AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open by a single stroke at Mont Choisy Le golf on Thursday.

On his first trip to Mauritius and treating it as a belated honeymoon with his wife, Jennifer, Pepperell produced a strong finish of four birdies in his final five holes to lead by one over Denmark’s Jacob Skov Olesen, who signed for a bogey-free 67.

“It’s the first time me and Jennifer have been here. We really love it. We’re staying in a lovely hotel. I said to her before we came out here to treat it as a bit of a honeymoon because we haven’t had one since our wedding in August,” said Pepperell.

The English professional overcame a bogey at the second and produced a string of birdies thereafter, including that strong finish in some windy and testing conditions.

“I’m pleased with that. I wasn’t expecting it. After bogeying the second hole I was worried it was going to be one of those Thursdays again. But I turned it around nicely and played very well. I had a good finish. I just told myself, ‘Keep your head down and let it happen’. It’s been a while since I’ve been in a position where I’m at the top of the leaderboard on a Thursday.”

It was a positive start by the double DP World Tour champion, who admits he had to stay in the present when his game was flowing – particularly on that closing stretch.

“Sometimes it can get in your head, but I just tried to keep my head down and focus and keep doing what I’ve been working on in the range. This year there have been so many rounds I’ve played where things have deteriorated and I’ve become increasingly frustrated, and the difference today was my game held up. Clearly what I’ve been working on has been good, so if I can just keep doing it in tough conditions then I’m optimistic. This golf course is really tricky, especially in the wind. This course needs the wind and you can easily make some high numbers around here. It’s deceptive.”

Olesen was equally pleased with his start as he seeks to emulate fellow Dane Rasmus Højgaard, who won this tournament in 2019.

“It went pretty well. I’m happy about the game. I feel like everything was solid. There wasn’t one particular thing that was really good, but there was also nothing that was bad. I hit some good iron shots and rolled in a couple of decent putts. It was a good start. The wind is definitely a factor here. You’ve got to switch your mindset a little bit and just take your medicine sometimes and play what you get from the wind.”

Italian Renato Paratore, Denmark’s Hamish Brown, Norway’s Andreas Halvorsen and South Africans Jacques Blaauw, Wilco Nienaber and Jayden Schaper are all well placed just two shots off the lead.

The AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open is proudly supported by leading brands such as AfrAsia Bank, Beachcomber Resorts & Hotels, the Mont Choisy Group, the Mauritius Tourism Promotion Authority (MTPA), the Economic Development Board (EDB) Mauritius, Rogers, IBL, Emtel, Heritage Resorts, Mastercard, Poncini, Range Rover, the Mauritius Golf Federation, Phoenix Beverages, Kohler, ticketbox.mu, DStv, Air Mauritius, C-Care, Mautourco, Häagen-Dazs, Ernie Els Wines, London No.1 Gin, Famous Grouse, Oaks and Ames, Graham Beck, Miko Coffee, TCL, CBE and SMAG.

It’s known as “Golf’s Most Beautiful Week”, and for the Sunshine Tour and DP World Tour professionals gathered for this week’s AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open at Mont Choisy Le Golf, there’s definitely a sense that this is one of the more relaxed and enjoyable weeks on Tour.

“This is definitely a top three week of the year. You know when you come here that you’ll be looked after incredibly well, play in beautiful weather and get a sense of true Mauritian hospitality. You can sense a little bit more of a relaxed vibe, and it fits perfectly with the island,” says Nicolas Colsaerts.
 
Oliver Bekker can feel it too. “Everybody is so relaxed this week, even the players. This place just puts you in a good frame of mind. You don’t get as upset if you hit a bad shot. I think that helps with the golf.”
 
As relaxed as this week is, there is no less of an opportunity for the 156 golfers gathered on the north of the island.
 
This €1.5 million event, now into its eighth edition, will decide the winner of the DP World Tour’s Opening Swing, who will earn a $200 000 bonus as well as exemptions into several of the DP World Tour’s biggest tournaments in the second half of its season.
 
And at the same time it will offer the chance for the Sunshine Tour’s professionals to make further inroads on the Sunshine Tour Order of Merit delivered by The Courier Guy and the Fortress Rookie of the Year standings before the festive break.
 
The Mont Choisy Le Golf course is also primed for a strong welcome of this field since the last time the tournament was played here in 2022, when Frenchman Antoine Rozner claimed victory on 19 under par.
 
The course, designed by World Golf Awards Golf Course Designer of the Year 2024 Peter Matkovich, has been tightened up with narrower fairways and thicker rough. And the wind will add to the challenge.
 
“You need to control your ball flight around this golf course,” says Bekker, who finished seventh here in 2022. “It’s always windy, but it’s a consistent breeze. I don’t mind playing in the wind. It’s a scoreable golf course, and if you putt well you’ll always have a chance.”
 
“It’s a true test of golf,” adds Marcel Siem, who is a local favourite since relocating his family from Germany to Mauritius.
 
“The fairways are really good and the rough is up a bit more. It’s always a bit windier on this side of the island – I’d say about a two-club wind at least.”
 
But as competitive as it will be when Thursday’s first round tees off, there’s still that desire from the professionals to enjoy everything that this truly unique week in world golf offers.
 
“My wife Rachel will caddie for me this week so I’m looking forward to it. It’s a great opportunity for us to spend time together and for her to share my life inside the ropes a bit more. I just want to enjoy this week, and when that happens it translates into my performance on the golf course,” says Colsaerts.
 
The AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open is proudly supported by leading brands such as AfrAsia Bank, Beachcomber Resorts & Hotels, the Mont Choisy Group, the Mauritius Tourism Promotion Authority (MTPA), the Economic Development Board (EDB) Mauritius, Rogers, IBL, Emtel, Heritage Resorts, Mastercard, Poncini, Range Rover, the Mauritius Golf Federation, Phoenix Beverages, Kohler, ticketbox.mu, DStv, Air Mauritius, C-Care, Mautourco, Häagen-Dazs, Ernie Els Wines, London No.1 Gin, Famous Grouse, Oaks and Ames, Graham Beck, Miko Coffee, TCL, CBE and SMAG.

The AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open will bring together a strong international field of Sunshine Tour and DP World Tour winners, former European Ryder Cup players, Olympic Games competitors and the rising stars of world golf on a Mont Choisy Le Golf course whose designer won the prestigious Golf Course Designer of the Year 2024 at the World Golf Awards.

Tickets areavailable herethrough the official ticketing partner ticketbox.mu.

From 19-22 December, the island of Mauritius will be the focus of world golf as a new champion is crowned and the DP World Tour’s Opening Swing of the new season is also decided at this tournament.
 
The Opening Swing features the first five tournaments of the DP World Tour new season, with the AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open being the fifth and final event. It therefore offers a golden opportunity for the winner of the Opening Swing, who will earn valuable exemptions into Rolex Series events and the second phase of the DP World Tour season.
 
“As the title sponsor we are delighted that the global golf spotlight will be on Mauritius this week as we host another memorable AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open,” said Thierry Vallet, Founder Executive and CEO of AfrAsia Bank. “Since inception, our main aim with this tournament has been to stimulate the international status of Mauritius. The tournament’s growing influence on the golf calendar is a wonderful endorsement of the AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open as a true sporting spectacle for Mauritius.”
 
Frenchman Antoine Rozner returns as the winner of the AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open when it was last played at Mont Choisy Le Golf in 2022. Rozner is the most recent of four former winners of the AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open who have secured a PGA Tour card.
 
“It is a privilege to host some of the finest golfers on the pristine fairways of Mont Choisy Le Golf, especially as our course designer, Peter Matkovich, has been honoured as the Golf Course Designer of the Year 2024. This accolade reflects the unique design and exceptional experience our course offers. The AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open reinforces Mont Choisy’s status as a world-class golfing destination and highlights our commitment to excellence and showcasing Mauritius on the global stage,” said Vincent Hardy, CEO of Mont Choisy Group.
 
This year’s field also includes Germany’s Marcel Siem, a six-time DP World Tour champion and a winner this year in the Italian Open. The AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open forms a key part of his goals for the new season as he looks to continue the upturn in his career since he moved to Mauritius.
 
“My goal is to win twice in a season. For the past two years I’ve won once each year, so I can’t wait to have a good start to the season,” he said.
 
The Honourable Minister of Tourism for Mauritius, Richard Duval, stated: “We are excited to once again highlight our island’s splendour to a global audience, and to have respected golfers like Marcel continue sharing how Mauritius stands as a premier destination for professional golfers. We are confident that both the professionals and their loved ones will be captivated once more by our stunning island paradise.”
 
The field also includes last season’s winner of the Sunshine Tour Order of Merit delivered by The Courier Guy, Ryan van Velzen, as well as South African stars Robin Williams and the top 10 players on the current Sunshine Tour Order of Merit delivered by The Courier Guy, led by Daniel van Tonder.
 
England’s Ross Fisher and Belgium’s Nicolas Colsaerts head to Mauritius as former European Ryder Cup players.
 
The young stars of the game will be represented by the current leader on the Sunshine Tour Fortress Rookie of the Year standings, Kyle de Beer, and former world number one amateur and now rookie professional Christo Lamprecht.
 
It’s a true showcase of international golf talent in what has become known as “Golf’s Most Beautiful Week”.
 
“As the official accommodation sponsor of the AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open, this is a week when we are privileged to showcase our portfolio of resorts and to have the professionals and their families live our promise The Art of Beautiful. We look forward to welcoming the world’s leading golfers to our hotels once again and sharing the dedication of our Beachcomber Artisans in going the extra mile to deliver unique Guest Experiences,” said Stéphane Poupinel de Valencé, CEO of Beachcomber Resorts & Hotels.
 
Since its inception in 2015, the AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open has quickly risen to become a highlight on the Sunshine Tour and DP World Tour calendar.
 
“We are extremely proud of the growth of the AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open and the important role it plays in terms of our longstanding relationship with the DP World Tour and the global pathway it offers our members. We look forward to another exciting edition this year and another incredible opportunity for the champion to further his career on the highest international stages in golf,” said Thomas Abt, Commissioner of the Sunshine Tour.
 
Mark Casey, Director of Tournament Business for the DP World Tour, said: “The AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open is a wonderful example of our co-sanctioning strength with the Sunshine Tour. It has grown in stature and this year’s field is another prime example of this. Mauritius is a true golf paradise and this tournament is a wonderful way to end our Opening Swing in one of the most beautiful golf settings in the world.”
 
The AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open is proudly supported by leading brands such as AfrAsia Bank, Beachcomber Resorts & Hotels, the Mont Choisy Group, the Mauritius Tourism Promotion Authority (MTPA), the Economic Development Board (EDB) Mauritius, Rogers, IBL, Emtel, Heritage Resorts, Mastercard, Poncini, Range Rover, the Mauritius Golf Federation, Phoenix Beverages, Kohler, ticketbox.mu, DStv, Air Mauritius, C-Care, Mautourco, Häagen-Dazs, Ernie Els Wines, London No.1 Gin, Famous Grouse, Oaks and Ames, Graham Beck, Miko Coffee, TCL, CBE and SMAG.

South Africa’s Shaun Norris was overcome with emotion after claiming a thrilling one-stroke victory in the Alfred Dunhill Championship at Leopard Creek on Sunday.

Norris had earlier made a strong charge through the field, sparked by an eagle on the second hole, and closed with a 67 to lead in the clubhouse on 13 under par and tied with several players.

But it ended up being only South Africa’s Ryan van Velzen who had a realistic chance of catching him as he teed off the 18^thtied for the lead. As Norris warmed up on the driving range for a possible playoff, Van Velzen hit his approach into the water surrounding the treacherous 18^th green and went on to make bogey.

“Unbelievable. Words can’t describe the feelings going through me at the moment. I’m over the moon,” said Norris after claiming his second DP World Tour title.

“I only knew I’d shot 67 after I made the last putt. I was so stuck in my head focusing on every shot and doing what I needed to do. At the end of the day it worked out nicely.”

Van Velzen closed with a 72 to share second place with England’s John Parry (69) and Sweden’s Marcus Kinhult (74) on 12 under par.

Before teeing off on Sunday, Norris had told his brother and caddie Kyle that if they could be under par through the first five holes, they may stand a chance. And it was an eagle on the par-five second that gave him that chance.

“That eagle was key. It’s massive to get off to a good start and put yourself in a nice rhythm,” he said. A composed back nine featuring three birdies further strengthened his chances as he was the only player amongst the top four on the leaderboard who didn’t make a bogey on the back nine.

Norris was also overjoyed to win at a Leopard Creek course that holds a special place in every South African golfer’s heart.

“This title means everything to me. To win here at Leopard Creek, which is always in spectacular condition and where we’ve had such good champions such as Ernie Els, Charl Schwartzel and Louis Oosthuizen – to now put my name on this trophy is a blessing. This changes a few things for me. I’ve got so much to look forward to over the next few years. But now it’s time for a holiday.”
– Michael Vlismas

Sweden’s Marcus Kinhult held onto his lead by the end of a difficult third round of the Alfred Dunhill Championship as he now chases a second DP World Tour title at Leopard Creek on Sunday.

In temperatures far cooler than the previous days, Kinhult put together a solid 69 to head the field on 14 under par.

He heads into the final round two strokes clear of South Africa’s Ryan van Velzen, who signed for an incredible 65 to climb to 12 under par. And Darius van Driel from The Netherlands kept himself in contention on 11 under par with a 67.

Despite the cooler weather, it was a far from easy day for the majority of those near the top of the leaderboard.

Charl Schwartzel saw his challenge falter with a 74 that was a tale of two nines, including a front nine of 42 and a back nine of 32. He ended the day on five under par overall.

And Dean Burmester fought hard for a 70 – including two double bogeys – to keep himself in the tournament at 10 under par.

“It was a bit more of a grind today,” said Kinhult. “The good was very good, but I left myself in some tough positions as well. But I think I did pretty well. I don’t know the stats, but it felt like it was definitely less greens in regulation and more pressure on my short game.”

Kinhult is hunting his first win since 2019 and believes Leopard Creek sets up perfectly for him to achieve this on Sunday.

“Sleeping on a lead is not easy. But I enjoy playing this golf course. I like what I see on this golf course. It suits my eye. There are some tough holes but I do really like this course. If I can drive the ball well and put myself in good positions off the tee, that’s how you score well here. I’m looking forward to the challenge of the final round. It’s a tight leaderboard and I’m going to need a good round to win.”

Van Velzen is relishing being in contention for a maiden DP World Tour title.

“I’m hitting my driver so well at the moment, and I think I’ve gone two rounds without a bogey now. I’m staying away from flags I can’t go for. I’m playing very nicely,” he said.

And further behind, Burmester believes there’s still everything to play for on Sunday.

“Being four shots behind around here is nothing. Anything can happen here. Marcus is playing well and looks comfortable, but I can only control what I can do. I like winning tournaments from behind.”

The championship will be live on SuperSport from 11:30-16:30 South Africa time on Sunday. – Michael Vlismas

Sweden’s Marcus Kinhult will take a three-stroke lead into the weekend of the Alfred Dunhill Championship, but with a strong group of challengers equally well placed to keep the pressure on him at Leopard Creek.

On another day of intense heat in the lowveld, Kinhult kept a cool head and signed for a 68 and the lead on 11 under par.

“It started out okay with the heat but after five or six holes I was hiding under the umbrella for most of the round. But it was a good day. I feel like I played well but didn’t take advantage of the par fives. But I’m not upset. This was a good score and I’m looking forward to two more rounds,” said Kinhult, who has given himself another shot at a second DP World Tour title after losing a playoff for the KLM Open this year.

Behind him, South Africa’s Dean Burmester worked his way into contention on eight under par with a 67, joining Andrea Pavan (69) and Dale Whitnell (67) as Kinhult’s nearest challengers. Burmester is a tough prospect on home soil when he has a chance, having won three of his four DP World Tour titles in South Africa.

“It was extremely hot out there but I played a solid round of golf. I’m three behind. I’m just going to keep to my strategy, and we’ll see where that ends up. If I can roll in a few putts, who knows what will happen,” he said.

Fellow South African Charl Schwartzel also moved ominously into contention amongst a group of players on seven under par with a round of 66, including two eagles.

Schwartzel is chasing a record fifth title in a championship where he also owns the biggest margin of victory and lowest tournament total, and has started to find his comfort levels on this course this week.

“We’ve got 36 holes to go and my game feels good. I know this golf course. You’ve got to start giving yourself the opportunities. But it can also bite you. If you miss the fairways all the time it’s really difficult to control the ball out of the rough. So there is a big emphasis on putting the ball on the fairway. But we’re halfway through and I’m up there. The golf course will only get firmer, so with 36 holes to go I need to keep creating opportunities and hopefully we’re there by Sunday,” he said.

The championship will be live on SuperSport from 11:30-16:30 South Africa time on Saturday and Sunday. – Michael Vlismas

On a sweltering Thursday at Leopard Creek, England’s Andy Sullivan turned up the heat himself with a sublime round of eight-under-par 64 to earn himself a one-stroke lead after the first round of the Alfred Dunhill Championship.

With temperatures in the 40 degrees Celsius, Sullivan took advantage of a 7am tee-off time off the 10^th and didn’t drop a single shot as he set the pace in this Sunshine Tour and DP World Tour co-sanctioned tournament.

“It’s so important to get off to a good start at Leopard Creek because you just know it’s going to get tougher and tougher. It generally doesn’t get easier here. So getting off to a good start is nice. It gives you that little bit of a buffer because you know you’re in for a serious grind over the next couple of days,” said Sullivan, who always feels at home on these fairways and draws heavily on his memories of winning his first two DP World Tour titles in South Africa in 2015.

“I always feel comfortable here and generally play good golf. My putting was really good today and saved me a couple of times. I feel like the greens suit me, so I’ve just got to keep the long game going. I’ve been able to put a lot more practice time in this week and the swing has felt good, so it was nice to get out on the course and it felt the same.”

His nearest challengers are South Africa’s Casey Jarvis, England’s Alex Fitzpatrick and Sweden’s Marcus Kinhult.

Jarvis teed off the 10^th and was three over for his first two holes before he produced some incredible golf. His most impressive stretch was the three birdies and an eagle he made on holes five, six, seven and eight, with those last two holes in particular always a tricky challenge.

“I got off to a tough start and then I just told myself, ‘C’mon, let’s do this now’, and I played lovely from there. I had three twos at holes five, six and seven which is a first for me. I absolutely love this place. The golf course just suits my game and I’ve had a lot of success here as an amateur, so when I get here I just try and play the game I did back then and it seemed to work,” said Jarvis.

Former champion Brandon Stone ended the first day just three strokes off the lead. Defending champion Louis Oosthuizen did well to post a one-under-par 71 despite an eight on the par-five 18^th. Charl Schwartzel, a four-time winner here, also opened with a 71, while Dean Burmester started his championship with a three-under-par 69.

The championship will be live on SuperSport from 12:00-17:00 South Africa time on Friday, and 11:30-16:30 South Africa time on Saturday and Sunday. – Michael Vlismas

Louis Oosthuizen is ready to defend an Alfred Dunhill Championship title which he ranks as one of the best achievements of his stellar career, and against a 2024 field that is widely representative of the international talent in the game.

Oosthuizen beat fellow Major champion Charl Schwartzel by two strokes in a thrilling final round last year, finally claiming the victory he has always sought on this Leopard Creek course.

“It was a bit of a struggle in the end with the weather last year. But it’s something I still consider as one of my best achievements because this golf course had always found a way to bite me, and to pull it through having to beat Charl (Schwartzel), who is king around this place, felt really good,” Oosthuizen said ahead of Thursday’s first  round.

This year he will face a field that includes some of the best professional and amateur talent on the Sunshine Tour and DP World Tour.

The championship has drawn eight of the last 13 champions of the Alfred Dunhill Championship at Leopard Creek including Oosthuizen, Charl Schwartzel, Ockie Strydom, Christiaan Bezuidenhout, Pablo Larrazabal, Brandon Stone, Richard Sterne and Alvaro Quiros. There are multiple winners from the Sunshine Tour, DP World Tour and PGA Tour in the field as well as Major champions and Presidents Cup stars.

The future stars of the game will also be on display, with Scotland’s Gregor Graham making his professional debut following an amateur career that saw him win the South African Amateur Championship and Brabazon Trophy this year. The 20-year-old Aldrich Potgieter continues his quest for a maiden DP World Tour title this week, while fellow 20-year-old Chinese star Wenyi Ding makes his first appearance in the Alfred Dunhill Championship as a rising star of the Asian game.

And the finest amateur talent from GolfRSA will also be on display, including South African number one Astin Arthur as well as Jordan Burnand and Daniel Bennett – both ranked within the top five in the country. They’ll be joined by Christiaan Maas and Kieron van Wyk.

“I’m really looking forward to this week,” said Schwartzel, who is hungry to add to his record four Alfred Dunhill Championship titles and five runner-up finishes here.

“Can I just smile and say nothing?” he said of his love for Leopard Creek. “This is my favourite golf course and the success I’ve had here always helps. I came close last year. It’s the best I’ve played on this golf course since they made the changes, and I’m starting to get comfortable with it.”

Dean Burmester is hoping to add his name to the champions of this event. Burmester is keenly aware that all of his close friends in Oosthuizen, Schwartzel and Branden Grace have won this title. “I’m the only one who hasn’t won and I get reminded of that by them. I’m looking forward to giving myself a chance on Sunday,” he said.

And Larrazabal is equally hopeful that the magic of the Kruger National Park will inspire another victory here for him.

“When I won here in 2019, that week I went into the park at 5:58am. By 6:23am we had already seen the Big Five. In 25 minutes through the gate we had seen it all,” he said.

The championship will be live on SuperSport from 12:00-17:00 South Africa time on Thursday and Friday, and 11:30-16:30 South Africa time on Saturday and Sunday. – Michael Vlismas

SUN CITY (North West) – American Johannes Veerman celebrated a dream debut in the Nedbank Golf Challenge with his one-stroke victory at the Gary Player Country Club after edging out South Africa’s Aldrich Potgieter in a thrilling finish on Sunday.

Veerman closed with a 69 for a total of five under par, and then watched from the score recording area as Potgieter, finishing behind him and tied for the lead on five under, bogeyed the final hole.

“It’s surreal. I can now put on my Instagram that I’m the champion of ‘Africa’s Major’ – the fifth Major. This is a world-class event with world-class players here,” said a relieved Veerman who, as has become tradition here, was given a true African celebration as the golf course staff hoisted him and the trophy into the air and sang his praises.

“This week has been amazing. There was a function almost every night and they were great fun. We had fireworks, we had a dinner in the bush. It was amazing. And you didn’t just meet other golfers at the functions but also the community behind this tournament. I’m coming back for sure,” he said.

Veerman teed off the final round five shots adrift of the leader, Potgieter, who had the full support of the local fans behind him after being granted an invitation into this event by Gary Player, Sun International, Nedbank and the DP World Tour.

The 20-year-old South African seemed destined to add his name to the illustrious list of South Africans to have won here and held a one-stroke lead with four holes to play.

But the difficult closing stretch cost him as he bogeyed the par-three 16^th to be tied for the lead with Veerman, and then pushed his approach on 18 right of the green and made bogey from there.

“I was preparing for a playoff. I really was in the mindset I was going to go back out there and play again. When Aldrich made bogey on 18, I was almost thunderstruck. Aldrich is a world-class player and is going to do amazing things in his career. But the closing stretch of holes is so difficult out here. I knew if I could just par those I might have a chance,” said Veerman.

Potgieter signed for a 75 and shared second place with Matthew Jordan (72) and Romain Langasque (71) on four under par.

Earlier in the week, Veerman played a practice round and arrived on the 18^th green in awe of the grandstands.

“I thought, ‘Wow. Are there really going to be that many people here?’ And everybody showed up.”

They showed up to see the sixth American winner of this iconic tournament.

“I feel blessed and honoured to have won this trophy,” said Veerman.