SASOLBURG, Free State (17 January 2025) – Daniel van Tonder ended 2024 having been knocked off his number one position on the Sunshine Tour Order of Merit delivered by The Courier Guy, and he’s determined to get that back as he heads into the weekend of the Mediclinic Invitational just one shot off the lead.
Van Tonder signed for a sublime 63 at the Heron Banks Golf and River Estate on Friday to come through 36 holes on 12 under par, one stroke behind leader Maximilian Steinlechner from Austria. Steinlechner has put together two rounds of 64 and 65 to lead this Sunshine Tour event.
It is so far a positive start to 2025 for Van Tonder as he chases a win so early in the year, and that number one spot which he relinquished to Shaun Norris at the end of last year.
“It’s nice to start the year well like this. I want to take back my number one spot on the Sunshine Tour Order of Merit delivered by The Courier Guy. I don’t like being second. I’ve got a few good tournaments coming up to do so, and my game feels good,” says van Tonder.
He is also chasing his first victory as a new father following the birth of his daughter, Gabriella Grace, late last year.
“Our daughter was born when I was playing the Alfred Dunhill Championship in December. Then I played in Mauritius the week after that so I missed them a lot. I love being a father. Just looking at this small human being who is looking back at you, and you just wonder what’s going through her head. I must admit that seeing her smile for the first time has been the best for me so far.”
The key to Van Tonder’s round on Friday was a strong second nine of 30.
“It’s my first time playing this course and it’s quite tough. It’s long and tight. You have to hit fairways here. But I’m also very relaxed at the moment. I have a good friend caddying for me and we talk and laugh a bit during the round. It’s almost the same as when my wife caddied for me. It’s a similar feeling. You can’t just think golf 24/7. You’d have to lock me up if that was the case.”
A lot may have changed in Van Tonder’s life as he now takes on fatherhood. But one thing certainly hasn’t changed, and that will be his mindset this weekend.
“I don’t want to come second. I want to win. That doesn’t change.” – Michael Vlismas
