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Merrick Bremner battled some of the toughest conditions he’s ever experienced on a golf course to win the Sunshine Tour’s Sun Wild Coast Sun Challenge by a single shot at the Wild Coast Sun Country Club on Friday.

Bremner closed with an incredible round of 64 to win on eight-under-par 202. Keenan Davidse and Jacques Blaauw took second place on seven under, each with final rounds of 68. Keith Horne also signed for a 68 to finish fourth on six under par.

In very difficult conditions typical of the Wild Coast Sun course, Bremner did exceptionally well to not make a single bogey in his final round as he claimed his seventh victory on the Sunshine Tour.

“You know, I gave myself the right opportunities. We were never thinking about keeping bogeys off the card. We were just thinking about giving ourselves as many birdie opportunities as possible,” he said of a round that included three birdies on each nine.

But as easy as he may have made it look, Bremner gave some perspective to the conditions they were faced with.

“It really started gusting quite hard towards the last 30 minutes of the round. It was brutal. I can’t explain it. If you mishit it just slightly, the ball just went nowhere. There were crosswinds that just accentuate any mistake you make. You had to be on top of your game and hit quality shots to make a score.”

With 14 top-10s in his career and two runner-up finishes, Keenan Davidse is ready to win on the Sunshine Tour. And he’ll have another shot at it when he heads into Friday’s final round of the Sun Wild Coast Sun Challenge in a three-way tie for the lead.

Davidse, Peter Karmis and Jacques Blaauw are all tied for the lead on five-under-par 135 through 36 holes of this 54-hole Sunshine Tour tournament at the Wild Coast Sun Country Club.

“It was tricky out there today. There was a two-club wind when we started and it just became worse. But the Wild Coast Sun is always tough with the wind and I just stayed patient,” Davidse said.

The leaders are just one stroke clear of Keith Horne, who signed for a second round of 71. Joint overnight leader Luke Jerling is amongst a strong group chasing them two shots off the lead, and also including young star Jayden Schaper and the experienced Jaco van Zyl.

Of the three leaders, Davidse led the scoring with his second-round 66 in which he birdied two of his first three holes, made back-to-back bogeys thereafter, then started his second nine with a birdie and finished it with three straight birdies. Blaauw signed for a 70 and Karmis a 68 to join him in the lead.

And competing against two multiple winners on the Sunshine Tour, Davidse could be forgiven for thinking this week is his turn.

He’s come close to a maiden title at various stages of his Sunshine Tour career, and also came very close to a European Tour victory when he challenged in the 2017 Joburg Open and eventually finished tied seventh. Last year he was invited to play in the prestigious Alfred Dunhill Links Championship in Scotland, which was his first taste of world-class links golf.

But just before lockdown, Davidse says he discovered a deeper spiritual faith and it’s made all the difference to his outlook.

“The golf’s always been the same, but the difference now is my faith. Mentally I’m in a much better space because of it. I’ve realised that winning is not everything and to be more grateful about the position we’re in as professional golfers. I’ve been out here on Tour trying to do it all on my own, and that’s changed now.”

Blaauw has certainly been moving towards a victory as well. On the recently completed Rise-Up Series he finished 18^th in the Vodacom Championship Unlocked and then fourth a week later in the Vodacom Championship Reloaded. He was close to sharing the lead in the Sun Wild Coast Sun Challenge on the first day were it not for a bogey on the last hole. – Michael Vlismas

The South African Open Championship will add the iconic Gary Player Country Club to its roster of celebrated golf courses that have hosted this championship as it moves to Sun City this year where it will be played from 3-6 December, with support from Nedbank and Sun International.

The 110^th playing of the second oldest national Open in golf, with prize money of R19.5 million, will complete a thrilling three-week run of tournaments co-sanctioned by the Sunshine Tour and European Tour.

The Sunshine Tour this week announced a strong end to 2020 with the three big events of the Joburg Open, Alfred Dunhill Championship and South African Open Championship – all of which forms part of the Tour’s post-lockdown international restart.

“We would like to thank everyone involved in making it possible for the South African Open to go ahead at Sun City under difficult circumstances. The hard work done by the Sunshine Tour and European Tour as well as the support of the sponsors has ensured that the SA Open will continue to be a tournament that we can be proud of,” said Grant Hepburn, Chief Executive Officer of GolfRSA.

Martin Saaiman, acting President of the South African Golf Association (SAGA), said: “We are grateful to the Sunshine Tour, European Tour, Nedbank and Sun International for their support of our national Open and for sharing our desire to see this great championship played despite what has been a very challenging year. The South African Open is not only about the professionals, but also an important stage for our leading amateurs to test their skills as the next generation of stars. We also think it is apt that the Gary Player Country Club will be the host of this year’s championship, considering that Gary Player won a record 13 South African Open titles.”

In the absence of the Nedbank Golf Challenge this year, Nedbank and Sun International – both longstanding sponsors of South African professional golf – agreed to support the country’s national Open and the playing opportunities it provides for South Africa’s leading professionals and top amateurs, while at the same time providing the critical business stimulus required in South African professional golf at this time.

“Nedbank has a long and proud history with the game of golf and we value the role we can play in the restart of South African golf’s international calendar following the COVID-19 lockdown. Traditionally, South African golf fans would have been looking forward to ‘Africa’s Major’ at Sun City at this time of the year, and in this way they can still look forward to a great event in the form of the world’s second oldest national Open,” said Mike Brown, Chief Executive of Nedbank.

Anthony Leeming, Chief Executive of Sun International, said: “We are extremely proud to be able to host the South African Open Championship, one of the flagship tournaments of South African golf. The Gary Player Country Club is in pristine condition as a combination of being well-prepared for the Nedbank Golf Challenge before we had to cancel this year’s event, and the lack of significant traffic as a result of the national lockdown. So we are confident this year’s field will encounter a golf course in excellent condition and very much worthy of this great championship.”

Thomas Abt, Commissioner of the Sunshine Tour, said he was delighted to be able to confirm such a strong run of co-sanctioned tournaments at the end of the year.

“To have three big tournaments such as the Joburg Open, Alfred Dunhill Championship and South African Open Championship in a three-week stretch of international golf of the highest calibre on South African fairways is truly a testament to the incredible relationship we have with the European Tour, and our strong partnerships with our sponsors. We are extremely grateful to Nedbank and Sun International for their decision to support our national Open in this way.”

Keith Pelley, Chief Executive of the European Tour, said: “I am delighted to see the South African Open Championship back on our International Schedule this year and sincere thanks go to everyone at the Sunshine Tour, GolfRSA, the South African Golf Association, Nedbank and Sun International for their commitment and support in making this happen.

“Since our season restarted in July, we have taken a measured approach to our tournaments, informed every step of the way by our medical advisers and Government guidance in the countries we play.

“We have also tried to stage consecutive tournaments, wherever possible, in geographical clusters to reduce the onus on international travel, which makes today’s announcement, following on from the news of the Joburg Open and the Alfred Dunhill Championship in preceding weeks on our schedule, all the more pleasing.”

Both Luke Jerling and Louis Albertse took full advantage of the good draw they had on day one of the Sun Wild Coast Sun Challenge on Wednesday and opened with rounds of six-under-par 64 to lead the field by one shot.

On a largely calm morning on the Wild Coast Sun Country Club course, Jerling and Albertse topped the leaderboard over their nearest challengers in Ockie Strydom, Jacques Blaauw and Keith Horne.

Jerling in particular produced some of the best scoring with a bogey-free round that included a 29 on the front nine, but which played as his second nine on this par-70 layout.

“It was really a tale of two nines for me. I started on the back nine and although I hit the ball solid and didn’t miss a green, I just didn’t make any putts there,” he said of the nine straight pars to start his round.

But then came a run of four consecutive birdies from the first, followed by two more at the sixth and ninth holes.

“I knocked that first birdie in on the first hole and that seemed to get the momentum going. I have a new putter in the bag this week, and I’m just trusting the lines out there. The weather was also good when we teed off just after eleven in the morning, so we were on the right side of the draw.”

Albertse was also off just after 11am, and used the draw as well as his local knowledge of the course to his advantage.

“We had great weather in the morning. I also played a lot of junior golf in these parts, and had enough family holidays playing golf here as well. I gave myself a lot of opportunities out there, and took them,” he said of a round that included a 10-footer for eagle on the par-five 12^th hole.

“I’m very happy with this performance. I missed the last two cuts on the Rise-Up Series, and in the two-week break I spent a lot of time with my coach and sports psychologist and figured out a few things.”

The forecast for the next two days indicates wind, but both Jerling and Albertse are ready for the challenge.

“I’m comfortable on this course, and growing up in Port Elizabeth, the wind doesn’t bother me. In that sense the Wild Coast course does play to my strengths. I’m just very excited to be in this position again,” said Jerling.

Albertse feels equally confident.

“The Wild Coast Sun Country Club is always a fun test. I just need to keep myself in it over the next two rounds and keep giving myself chances.” – Michael Vlismas

The 2020 Alfred Dunhill Championship will be played for record prize money of R29 million when professionals from the Sunshine Tour and European Tour compete in this prestigious co-sanctioned tournament at Leopard Creek from 26-29 November.

The 2020 Alfred Dunhill Championship will anchor a strong run of co-sanctioned tournaments on South African fairways at the end of this year by offering the biggest purse on the Sunshine Tour this season.

The tournament forms part of the Sunshine Tour’s international restart of its schedule, and it will be played according to the strict coronavirus health protocols of both the South African Government as well as the European Tour.

“In our 21^st year, we are delighted that we can stage the Alfred Dunhill Championship. We are sorry that we cannot welcome spectators, but we are sure golf fans will understand,” said Guy Sanan, Richemont.

“We would like to thank so many people who have made it possible for us to carry on with this year’s Championship, including the Sunshine Tour and European Tour, the professionals and the officials, volunteers and staff who give up their time to put on this unique event.”

The Alfred Dunhill Championship is one of the flagship events in world golf with its unique setting and ambience, nestled on the banks of the Crocodile River overlooking the magnificent Kruger National Park.

The splendour of the location has been a wonderful backdrop over the years to the world-class golf played, which has been reflected in the quality of its champions.

Since its inception in 2000, the list of past champions has included Major Champions and former world No.1s Adam Scott, Justin Rose, Charl Schwartzel and Ernie Els. The current champion is Pablo Larrazabal, who kept going last year despite foot problems to win by one shot in an exciting finish.

“The Alfred Dunhill Championship is one of our flagship tournaments and we are extremely grateful to be able to announce it as part of our schedule, and with such a significant increase in prize money,” said Thomas Abt, Commissioner of the Sunshine Tour.

“I would like to thank our Chairman, Johann Rupert, for his unflinching support of our efforts to restart our Tour, and for Alfred Dunhill’s longstanding support of professional golf in South Africa.”

Keith Pelley, Chief Executive of the European Tour, said: “Our sincere thanks go to Johann Rupert and Alfred Dunhill for what is yet another significant commitment to golf and the longstanding partnership between the European Tour and the Sunshine Tour. Leopard Creek is one of the most unique venues on our Tour, and we are very much looking forward to returning there this year.”

Daniel van Tonder will look to continue his incredible form on the Sunshine Tour as he heads into Wednesday’s first round of the Sun Wild Coast Sun Challenge on the back of three victories in his last four tournaments.

And his chances of continuing this run look even better considering that he finished second in the 2016 Sun Wild Coast Sun Challenge after an opening round of 62.

Van Tonder has been a revelation ever since the Sunshine Tour resumed its schedule with the Rise-Up Series.

The Johannesburg professional didn’t finish outside the top 10 in any of the five tournaments on the Rise-Up Series, and this included three victories on the series.

He earned a total of R310 850 over those five tournaments, which is already just under half of what he earned in an entire season in his first year on the Sunshine Tour in 2012 when he was named Rookie of the Year.

A combination of a new diet of intermittent fasting as well as a rock-solid mental approach has been the key to Van Tonder’s success, and something he’ll look to continue capitalising on at the Wild Coast Sun Country Club this week.

It’s a mindset he believes takes him back to his days as South Africa’s top amateur before he turned professional in 2011.

“I just feel like there isn’t a shot on the golf course I can’t take on at the moment. I feel that wherever you put me on the course, I’ll find a way to hit the green. That’s how I used to play when I was an amateur, and especially in the year before I turned professional. I had that mindset,” said Van Tonder.

Van Tonder currently tops the Sunshine Tour Money List through five events of this new season, and his nearest challenger could also be his greatest threat this week.

Darren Fichardt is second on the money list and has an impressive record at the Wild Coast Sun Country Club.

He won the 2009 Nashua Masters on this golf course as well as the 2011 Vodacom Origins of Golf. And he lost in a playoff against Vaughn Groenewald for the 2018 Sun Wild Coast Sun Challenge after surging through the field with a final round of 62.

South African professional golf has received a major boost with the announcement that the Joburg Open will make its return to the Sunshine Tour and European Tour schedules this November, thereby ushering in the country’s return to international golf following lockdown.

The 2020 Joburg Open will be played from 19-22 November at Randpark Golf Club with support from the City of Johannesburg, and with a prize fund of R19.5 million.

This will be the first international men’s golf tournament on South African fairways in nine months, and a timely boost for the South African economy as it emerges from the COVID-19 lockdown.

It will also be the first of a run of tournaments co-sanctioned by the Sunshine Tour and European Tour this summer, with further announcements to come.

“We are delighted to announce the return of this world-class golf tournament to our world-class African city. Since the inception of this tournament in 2007, our vision has been that the Joburg Open must benefit all the residents of Johannesburg. Now more than ever, as our economy requires a boost following the COVID-19 lockdown and with our President publicly calling for a new business stimulus, the return of the Joburg Open is perfectly timed to contribute significantly towards this cause as it brings a major international event to our city once again,” said Councillor Geoffrey Makhubo, the Executive Mayor of the City of Johannesburg.

The Joburg Open was last played in 2017 before the City of Johannesburg agreed to support the Sunshine Tour and absorb this event into the South African Open Championship for the duration of the latter’s hosting in Johannesburg.

The tournament first teed off in 2007 and boasts an impressive array of past champions including Major winner Charl Schwartzel and multiple European Tour champions Branden Grace, George Coetzee, Andy Sullivan and Darren Fichardt. The last tournament in 2017 was also the first significant victory for India’s Shubhankar Sharma and his emergence as one of the new stars of world golf.

“We are extremely pleased to welcome back the Joburg Open to our schedule in what is also a momentous moment for South African professional golf as we also welcome back international competition to our fairways after a lengthy break,” said Thomas Abt, Commissioner of the Sunshine Tour.

“I’d like to the thank the Mayor and the City of Johannesburg for so graciously supporting us for the duration of the South African Open’s hosting in Johannesburg, and we are delighted that we can announce the return of a much-loved tournament amongst the residents of Johannesburg. I’d also like to thank the Sunshine Tour Board, our sponsors, partners and the European Tour for their support. My special thanks go to our Chairman, Johann Rupert, who has been instrumental in terms of the strength of our partnership with the European Tour, and also our Executive Director, Selwyn Nathan, who has worked tirelessly with us to achieve this momentous restart of our international schedule.”

European Tour Chief Executive Keith Pelley said: “I am delighted to see the Joburg Open back on our schedule this year. We have a wonderful relationship with the Sunshine Tour stretching back over many years and this co-sanctioned tournament is another example of that.

“I want to express my sincere thanks and appreciation to Johann Rupert, Thomas Abt, Selwyn Nathan and everyone at the Sunshine Tour for their commitment in making this happen, in addition to the Executive Mayor and the City of Johannesburg for their help and support.”

Ernie Els birdied the final two holes, running in a 40-footer in the rain on the last, for a 6-under 66 and a one-stroke victory over Colin Montgomerie on Sunday in the SAS Championship.

Els made the long putt on the par-4 18th three weeks after missing a 2-foot putt on the final hole of the PURE Insurance Championship at Pebble Beach to finish a stroke out of a playoff.

“It’s a crazy game,” Els said. “A couple of weeks ago I missed a very short putt to get in a playoff and today I make a 40-footer. Figure that one out.”

Jim Furyk missed a chance to become the first player to win his first three PGA TOUR Champions events, closing with a 70 to tie for ninth at 8 under — four strokes behind Els. Furyk won at Warwick Hills and Pebble Beach.

Els won for the second time in his first 10 starts on the PGA TOUR Champions. The South African star, a four-time major champion with 19 PGA TOUR titles, finished at 12-under 204 at Prestonwood Country Club. He pointed to putting help from fellow player Mark O’Meara.

“Just by chance I saw him on the putting green the other day and we just started chatting a little bit,” Els said. “He uses the same putter that I use, so we started talking a little bit and I said, `Hey, have a look here.′ I didn’t have a great experience at Pebble obviously a couple weeks ago. He looked at me, and he’s a great putter and knowing a man that long, he gave me a nice assist. He told me what he felt I should do and here I am. So, I owe Mark O’Meara.”

Els tied Montgomerie, playing three groups behind, with the birdie on the par-5 17th and pulled ahead on 18.

“I had 64 in mind,” Els said. “Especially on the final round, the guys, there were so many guys bunched. I was coming from 6 under, I reckoned 14 under was maybe a good score, but then the conditions helped out and it became really tough. So, 66 just squeaked in there.”

Montgomerie, tied for the second-round lead with Darren Clarke and Woody Austin, parred the final four holes — giving himself little chance on 18 when he hit his 190-yard approach 50 feet left. He shot a 70.

Vijay Singh (70) was third at 10 under. Austin (72) was 9 under with Gene Sauers (67), Robert Karlsson (68), Kirk Triplett (69 ) and David Toms (71). Clarke (74) tied for 11th at 7 under. – PGA Tour Champions.

South Africa’s Justin Harding shares a one-shot lead with Tyrrell Hatton and Adri Arnaus heading into the second round of the BMW PGA Championship after an enthralling opening day at Wentworth Golf Club.

The South African opened with a bogey-free 66 on a West Course that was playing long but receptive at the third Rolex Series event of the 2020 Race to Dubai.

“I think the thing that makes me most happy is there were no bogeys. I played good, solid golf. I had good control of my ball flight and my irons. It’s just a matter of trying to find a few fairways and see if I can give myself a couple chances on the greens,” Harding said.

Harding has a victory at the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters, but a Rolex Series win would be the biggest of his career, and the 34-year-old is relishing taking on the European Tour’s best.

“I think everyone teeing it up knows the stature of the event and how important it is for the season. It’s obviously an opportunity to have all the big guns out and playing, and any golfer wants to taste the best out there. The course is in great shape. They have put on a great show here.” – European Tour/ASAP Sports.

Daniel van Tonder is unlocked and reloaded.

Van Tonder wrapped up the Sunshine Tour’s five-tournament Rise-Up Series with another emphatic victory at Huddle Park Golf Club on Friday as he closed with a 66 to win the Vodacom Championship Reloaded by four strokes on 21 under par 195.

It marked back-to-back victories for Van Tonder after winning last week’s Vodacom Championship Unlocked. And this was also Van Tonder’s third victory in five tournaments on the Rise-Up Series after his earlier triumph in the African Bank Sunshine Tour Championship.

In fact, on this Rise-Up Series alone Van Tonder has managed to equal his three previous career victories won between 2014 and 2019.

And he also becomes the first professional to win back-to-back on the Sunshine Tour since Justin Harding in 2018, and the first to win three tournaments on the Tour since Oliver Bekker in 2017.

“It feels amazing. I’ve got the kind of confidence that I don’t feel like I need to back down for any shot on the golf course. I feel like if I can make a swing, then there’s no shot that’s too tough for me. My wife and caddie Abigail plays a big part in that because she keeps me calm on the course and gives me that confidence,” said Van Tonder.

Jaco Ahlers and Adilson da Silva shared second place on 17 under par following respective final rounds of 65 and 66, while Jacques Blaauw took fourth place on 16 under par with a closing 68.

Ahlers had his own reasons to celebrate as he won the overall Betway Birdie Challenge for the most birdies on the Rise-Up Series. Ahlers took the first prize of R25 000 with his 79 birdies, just beating Van Tonder into second place on 77 birdies. Van Tonder earned an extra R15 000 for his efforts here. And third place as well as a cheque for R10 000 went to Tristen Strydom with 73 birdies.

“I’ve just played really solid. I’ve been working hard on my game, and the putter warmed up as the series went on,” said Ahlers.

The Tour now has a two-week break before resuming its schedule with the Sun Wild Coast Sun Challenge at the Wild Coast Sun Country Club. – Michael Vlismas