Van der Merwe seals dramatic maiden victory in Krugersdorp

It might not have been his first professional victory but Graham van der Merwe admitted that his come-from-behind victory in the fifth event of the Betway Big Easy Tour held at Krugersdorp is the biggest of his career thus far.

Van der Merwe entered the final round with a three-shot deficit after local man, Simon Du Plooy and Matthew Rushton had stolen the show in the first two rounds of this 54-hole tournament.  His final-round seven-under-par 65 took his tournament total to 16-under and he waited in the clubhouse as overnight leader, Rushton and Du Plooy still fought it out.

Other than Van der Merwe, however, a surprise challenger emerged. Englishman, Joe Knox carded the lowest round of the day an eye-catching 63 to total 14-under for the week and tie second alongside Du Plooy. Rushton’s even-par 72 saw him finish solo fourth on 12-under-par 204.

“It was an awesome day,” said an elated Van der Merwe after his title-winning round. “I’ve been playing nicely for a long time but today and yesterday, it all came together. The long game, the putting, the chipping; it all came together and luckily, that’s what you need to do to win events like this. So, I’, just super stoked, yeah!

“It’s crazy because this time last year I was contemplating even playing golf again. It had been a long time since I played, so for me to even play in a Big Easy, never mind win one, is a just a milestone in itself. I’m quite speechless to be honest.”

Van der Merwe has silently gone about his business this season both on the Betway Big Easy Tour and the Sunshine Tour where he has made eight cuts in ten events. Not bad for a player who almost quit the sport.

“It’s crazy because it’s gone so much better than I thought it would,” he said of his resurgence. “Obviously, with golf there are always disappointments but looking back to a year ago; where I was ad where I am now; golf is a wonderful thing. And what it’s done for me; I’m just super grateful of where I am.”

The victory in Krugersdorp marked Van der Merwe’s fourth professional win – with some won on other circuits – but, and by his own admission, the biggest of his career yet.

“Definitely, I have had a few on other smaller Tours but this is the biggest win for me,” Van der Merwe said. “I definitely felt the nerves coming in and to perform under that amount of pressure, I’m just proud of how I played.”

With his win, Van der Merwe moves to third on the leaderboard after five tournaments. With his current form on the Betway Big Easy Tour, and the quality he has shown on the Sunshine Tour, Van der Merwe looks poised for a great season.

The top 12 players on the Order of Merit will earn their season cards for the 2025/26 Sunshine Tour season and Van der Merwe has positioned himself well amongst those players.

Second 66 hands Rushton slim lead in Krugersdorp

Matthew Rushton will take a slender one-stroke lead into the final round of the Betway Big Easy Tour event held at Krugersdorp Golf Club, thanks to a near-perfect six-under-par 66 in Wednesday’s second round.

It was a second successive 66 for the Erinvale Golf Club player after he signed for a similar score in the opening round of this 54-hole tournament. That gave him a one-shot cushion over local favourite and overnight leader, Simon Du Plooy.

“I’d say scoring conditions-wise and weather-wise it was a bit easier today,” he said. “But I felt like my quality was just as good, so it’s quite fitting to have the same score again.

“The wind was, obviously, a loot less today and the weather was beautiful. In terms of how I played; not a lot different, to be honest. I felt like my quality was just as good. I may have made a couple less putts, but I think that on both days we were quite good, quality-wise.”

His solitary bogey – made on nine – was dwarfed by the five birdies and the eagle he made en route to the summit of the leaderboard. It was never without a scare, however, as Du Plooy – who had a decent local crowd cheering him on – kept applying pressure.

Teeing off last in the afternoon, Du Plooy wasted little time in getting about his business. He birdied the first four holes of his round as he looked set to asset his dominance on a setting he knows well. An unwanted bogey visited his card on the par-fourth fifth but he recovered swiftly, birdieing the ninth and the 10^th.

Drops on 13 and 16 took from those gains and Du Plooy signed for 69 and surrender the lead he’d held overnight, albeit by the smallest of margins.

It was Graham van der Merwe, however, who made the biggest move on Wednesday. His eight-under-par 64 catapulted him to third on the leaderboard, on nine-under for the tournament and within arms-reach of the top. He had 10 birdies and two drops on his card.

Following up on an even-par opening round this week, Nicholaus Frade found some form in the second round, coming in with a spectacular seven-under-par 65 to take fourth spot on the leaderboard, giving himself an opportunity at the title this week.

Member of the Papwa Sewgolum Class, Toto Thimba Jnr shot a 68 to get to five-under and into a three-way share of the fifth spot, seven strokes off the pace. He ties that position with Glenvista’s Louis Liebenberg and England’s Joe Knox.

Flawless Du Plooy takes advantage of home terrain

Krugersdorp Golf Club’s Simon Du Plooy carded a sparkling eight-under-par 64 on day one of the Betway Big Easy Tour’s fifth event held at his home course, and leads by two going into the second round.

Starting his round from the 10^th tee box and when the wind began to swirl a bit around this very familiar layout to him, Du Plooy navigated his way with the precision of a seasoned veteran. He started off with back-to-back pars and then birdied the par-five 12^th, which was his third. That was followed by another string of pars – five to be exact, Then, he birdied the 18^th to turn in 33 and blemish-free.

“I’m always feeling comfortable around here because it’s my home track,” said Du Plooy. “It was a bit iffy on the front nine, you know. But I just birdied all the par-fives and made a putt here and there, and suddenly, it just turns you around.

“There’s a lot of different ways to play this course but I’m a bit more on the aggressive side. I know the lines here. Off the tee-box is where you can have a little bit of an advantage over the field. There are many ways to play it, though. I’m just a little more aggressive.”

He proved his words when he birdied the fourth, sixth and ninth holes (plus all four par-fives here) to seal an untainted round for an early lead.

“At the beginning of the round I just told myself to try and not make any bogeys,” he added. “You just try to keep it in the short grass, hit the greens and make a putt. But on the front nine, the putter was cold. I gave myself good chance but I just couldn’t make them. But knowing the course has its little advantages and I’ve played a lot of rounds here.”

Coming in with a strong start of his own was Erinvale Golf Club member, Matthew Rushton. A birdie-birdie-eagle start set to him off to an eventful six-under-par 66 to take the second spot on the leaderboard. A bogey on his fourth – the 14^th hole here – took from his gains but Rushton was quick to respond; birdieing 16 to turn in 31. He was quick off the mark on the homeward stretch too, making crucial birdies on the par-five one and two and then would go on to give a shot back on the sixth. Once again, Rushton responded with a birdie before closing with pars on eight and nine.

“Yeah, that was fun,” said Rushton. “I got off to a great start; birdie-birdie-eagle, you can ask for much better. I must say, I played really well, mostly. I had a couple of loose ones but, overall, I am very happy with how I played.

“There’s a combination of factors for one to play well here. I think doing your homework, particularly in the practice round, before coming here helps. Start to understand how balls bounce, what kind of lines you need to be taking and figuring out maybe distance brackets to try and certain sections of the course. I think I did well in most of these today, especially reading the wind.”

Lying solo third is Sentanio Minnie who shot a 68. Xander Basson, Kyle Lucas, Travis Ladner, Tyrone Davidowitz and Leon Vorster share the fourth spot at three-under.

Pickering hangs on to Akasia lead

Slade Pickering carded a second-round three-under-par 69 to take his total to 12 under for the week and pull three shots clear of the field at Akasia Golf Club on Wednesday.

The Peacanwood Golf Estate player was thrilled to top the leaderboard for a second day in a row and will want to replicate the performances he produced in the first 36 holes of this 54-hole event. He admitted to having struggled with his driver off the tee but was solid enough to sign for 69 which consolidated his position atop the leaderboard.

“I struggled a bit with my driver today but I missed in the right spots,” said Pickering. “But, I kept to my game plan and told myself that I needed to keep the ball in play the whole round; hit the fairways, hit the greens and just try always to keep it in play. The pressure will always be there but tomorrow I will do exactly what I did in the first two rounds.”

Pickering’s round consisted of four birdies, an eagle and three drops.

He will be aware of the chasing pack, led by the resurgent Tyrone Ryan. The latter weaved together a scintillating round of 65 to get it to nine-under, placing him second on the leaderboard and within reach of Pickering.

“I played really well again today,” said Ryan after his second round. “The game has been trending in the right direction for a while now. So, I didn’t put myself under pressure and was solid from tee to green. But, I also think a little good fortune at the right times kept the momentum going.”

The Betway Big Easy Tour is the Sunshine Tour’s development circuit which enjoys the support of the great Ernie Els and counts stars such as Christiaan Bezuidenhout among its former Order of Merit winners.

Bogey-free 63 takes Pickering to the top at Akasia

Slade Pickering will take a four-shot lead into the second round of the fourth Betway Big Easy Tour tournament on Wednesday, thanks to a blemish-free 63 on day one at Akasia Golf Club.

The Peacanwood Golf Estate player started his round in the afternoon and from the 10^th tee where he made birdie to kick things off. He followed that up with another before making pars on 12 and 13, his third and fourth holes of the day. Another brace of birdies – this time on the par-five 14^th and 15^th holes – followed and Pickering made another on 17 to turn in 32 and without blemishes.

“It was a really nice round,” said Pickering. “After the work I have been putting in, it is nice to see something paying off.”

After the turn, Pickering found more joy as he birdied his 12^th – the par-four third hole here. In yet another exhibition of skill, patience and persistence, Pickering made three birdies on the trot to get it to nine-under before sealing his round with back-to-back pars to rubber-stamp what was a dominant round of golf.

“I had two chip-ins today, which was nice, especially in difficult spots,” he added. “It was really a solid play from tee to green. It was one of those days where all the cylinders fired and you just take it from there and keep firing. I’m definitely going to braai tonight.”

Four shots adrift and with a solid display of his own, Paul Boshoff’s five-under 67 saw him take the second spot on the leaderboard. Four birdies, an eagle and a solitary bogey defined his opening round in the capital.

“I think it was just solid,” said Boshoff of his first round. “I started with a chip-in on the fourth hole and I played the par-fives really well. I didn’t make many mistakes and it was a pretty solid round, I would say. Now. I’m going to celebrate my mother’s birthday.”

The Betway Big Easy Tour is the Sunshine Tour’s development circuit where the top 12 on the Order of Merit will earn privileges to compete on the main Tour.

Purchase claims dramatic victory for maiden pro title

Warwick Purchase’s first-ever win – both as a professional and as an amateur – came in some dramatic fashion at Glenvista Country Club on Wednesday.

On a tournament total of seven-under-par 209, Purchase, Ulrich van den Berg and Leon Vorster tied for the top spot; necessitating a play-off to decide the victor. Leon Vorster, who was looking for his second win in three starts fell off on the first playoff hole after Purchase and Van den Berg while the latter fell on the second.

“It was a great day,” said an elated Purchase. “As I said yesterday, I just wanted to go out and enjoy the moment; put as many golf shots as possible. Obviously, I’m very excited. This is my first win both as an amateur and as a professional. I can’t thank Betway and the Big Easy Tour enough for setting up a platform for us to realise our dreams.

“I was very nervous going against Ulrich, which is natural, I think. Ulrich is a fierce competitor and he has proven it over the years. But I just needed to do what I needed to do and that is what I did and I am happy to come out on top.”

Even as he narrowly lost in the playoff, Van den Berg will be satisfied with his effort this week, and the same could be said for Vorster. Both players showed tremendous tenacity but the golf gods were on Purchase’s side.

The Benoni Country Club member, Purchase, turned pro just last year and played himself to 29^th on the Order of Merit last season. It was no small achievement for a rookie. With a win already secured in the current season, the East Rand native will now look to add more silverware to his cabinet and hopefully by the end of the season, earn his Sunshine Tour playing card for the following campaign.

The Betway Big Easy Tour is the Sunshine Tour’s development circuit where the top 12 on the Order of Merit will earn privileges to compete on the main Tour.

Vaughn finds joy as he takes second-round lead at Glenvista

East Rand’s Vaughn van Deventer shrugged off pain from a spider bite and soldiered to a four-under-par 68 in round two of the Betway Big Easy Tour’s third tournament, taking a one-shot lead on six-under in the process.

Bitten by a spider in Ballito a few days before this event, the State Mines Country Club player was reluctant to tee it up at Glenvista Country Club this week but decided – at the last minute – to enter his name for the event. A measured two-under 70 on day one gave him confidence and on Tuesday, his decision to play this week was vindicated.

“So, I got bitten by a spider sometime last week,” started Van Deventer, “and I was thinking of withdrawing from this week. What’s crazy is that I didn’t practice much last week. So, I just tried to take it as it came; played every shot the best I could and it worked today.”

Van Deventer started with a birdie on one but those gains were soon taken, as he dropped on the second. He recovered swiftly, however, and birdied the third, fifth and seventh holes for a front nine 33. Coming home and after a par on 10, Van Deventer took full advantage of the par-five 11^th, birdieing that hole to give himself a chance in the final seven holes of his round.

His joy was short-lived, though, as he gave away shots on both par-threes on that stretch – the 13^th and 15^th. Once again, Van Deventer showed some big-match temperament as he birdied the 16^th and 17^th holes to seal a round of 68.

“I didn’t know my score while I was playing and to shoot 68 was pretty cool,” Van Deventer said. “It was a bit more challenging yesterday but the wind kind of died down today. It was actually a very good weather to play good golf and I capitalised on the good weather.”

He knows he will have to replicate his strong second-round showing in the final round where he will be in the last group out. He will be joined by rising star Leon Vorster and veteran Ulrich van den Berg in the group. Both players are one shot off the pace and both will know that a single shot lead can always be overturned.

A shot further lies Warwick Purchase, Englishman Joe Knox, Zimbabwe’s David Amm and member of the Papwa Sewgolum Class, Nikhil Rama. Amm was particularly impressive on day two and his seven-under 65 catapulted him into contention for this week’s title.

Davidse tops the leaderboard at Glenvista

Stellenbosch Golf Club’s Keenan Davidse says he is slowly regaining his confidence and if his opening round of 67 in the third tournament of the Betway Big Easy Tour event at Glenvista Country Club is anything to go by, he might be edging closer to his best.

He is making his second consecutive start on this Sunshine Tour feeder circuit as he prepares himself for the challenges of the main Tour. In his first Betway Big Easy Tour start this season at Modderfontein Golf Club and following a lengthy break from professional golf, Davidse opened with back-to-back rounds of 67 before a 73 in the final round robbed him. He still finished third in that event.

“I played decently today,” said Davidse who is also a member of the Papwa Sewgolum Class. “I figure it’s just a putting thing for me because the mental side is still very good. I just need to get over that little hurdle, you know, and stay focused and humbled. I’m playing really well, you know, but  just need to find the hole, somehow.

“I feel like the game is slowly getting back to where I know it can be. But, this is not an easy track. I played a practice round here and the wind was pumping. Even today, it was tough because it’s so firm. I think you need a little bit of luck here. Overall, I am happy and let’s see what happens in the next round.”

He is a stroke clear at the top, with the quartet of Christian Kriek, England’s Joe Knox, Slade Pickering and Zambia’s Dayne Moore chasing hard. Henning Du Plooy, Jaden Deltel, Leon Vorster, Keanu Pestana, Reece McKain and Stals Swart shared sixth after rounds of 69 each.

“It’s great to have a good round under the belt,” Kriek said. “I’ve been struggling a bit, lately, and it’s good to finally get some confidence back. The greens are so fast here so all I did was to try and keep the ball in play. I figured if I do that, I will give myself opportunities and it turned out to be a great round for me.”

Jacquin Hess and Adriel Poonan ended the day as the highest-placing members of the Papwa Sewgolum Class. They find themselves in a share of 17^th following respective rounds of one-under-par 71.

The Betway Big Easy Tour is the Sunshine Tour’s developmental circuit and enjoys the support of the legendary Ernie Els among others.

Perfect front 9 hands Scholtz maiden Big Easy title at Modderfontein

Marcel Steyn Scholtz was seven shots off the lead heading into the final round of the Betway Big Easy Tour’s second tournament held at Modderfontein Golf Club, but overturned that deficit in style to claim a three-shot victory for his maiden title.

In a drama-filled final round on the challenging Modderfontein track, it was Scholtz who stole the show. Following opening rounds of 73 and 68, the Highland Gate Golf and Trout Estate player was some way off Keenan Davidse who was 10-under after 36 holes. The 30-year-old Scholtz produced one of the finest front nine performances the Big Easy Tour has ever had; a blemish-free nine-under-par 27.

Eagles on the par-five first and the par-four second holes were followed by four birdies on the trot as Scholtz overtook Davidse after his first six holes. He made two important pars on seven and eight to keep the scorecard clean and then birdied the ninth to turn in 27 and with the lead.

“I was hitting the ball really well on the front nine,” Scholtz said. “I lost a bit of momentum on the back nine but I feel like I kept it nicely together. I kept the ball in play and I gave myself good opportunities and just kept the ball rolling on the greens.”

He followed that birdie up with further gains as he birdied the 10^th to get his total to 13-under-par. With the chasing pack coming in strong and led by young gun, Yurav Premlal, Scholtz knew any mistake could and would be costly. He kept things tight from there on, making eight pars one after the other to see the job done.

“This is my second professional win; the first was a one-day Blue Label event last year, which was nice,” Scholtz said. “But this one is even sweeter. As you know the Big Easy is a way to the Sunshine Tour, so this win is very important. One of my goals this year is to win three Big Easy Tour events and ultimately win the Order of Merit. So, I’m very stoked and thankful for this win.”

While Scholtz’s goal may seem a little lofty to some, the man himself will feel relieved that his first of three targeted wins is already in the bag. And now that he is third on the Order of Merit thanks to his dominant triumph on Thursday, Scholtz will be further motivated to strive for the summit of those rankings.

It is still quite early in the season but a good start has never hurt anybody. The Betway Big Easy Tour is the Sunshine Tour’s developmental circuit and enjoys the support of the legendary Ernie Els among others.

Davidse leads by three ahead of the final round

Sunshine Tour campaigner, Keenan Davidse, produced another round of 67 during the second round of the Betway Big Easy Tour event at Modderfontein Golf Club and will take a three-shot lead into the final round.

On a tournament total of 10-under-par, Davidse assumed the top spot on the leaderboard as overnight leader, Yurav Premlal, faltered to a one-under 71 for a total of seven-under. Barring the bogeys he made on the third, sixth and 18^th holes, the Stellenbosch Golf Club member had a solid round on day two.

In what proved to be an eventful round on a tricky Modderfontein layout, Davidse was able to make eight birdies on the day, signifying his ability to weave together a really low score on his day. Despite playing some scintillating golf this week, Davidse refuses to get carried away, especially at the back of the break he took before teeing up in this event.

“The game still feels rusty,” he said, “but I’m not complaining. I was hitting it decently but not the way I know I can hit it. I’m enjoying myself out here though and I don’t want to put pressure on myself. Let’s take it one shot at a time and see where we are tomorrow.”

He is well justified in refusing to get carried away. The chase, led by Premlal, will be on in the final round and any slip in concentration can prove very costly very quickly. So, even though he lamented his error-prone second round, Premlal has all the qualities to give Davidse a run for his money. Besides, other very capable players such as Tyron Davidowitz (5-under-par and third on the leaderboard) are lurking dangerously as the final round approaches.

“I made a lot of mistakes today,” admitted Premlal who plays out of Glendower Golf Club, the former home of the Investec South African Open Championship. “I started off with a six on a par-five, which is never good. Two mistakes on the front nine and I missed a couple of decent putts.

“But, there are a few things I have already figured out after that round, which I need to get better at going into tomorrow and the rest of the season. I know where the shots were lost, at least, and I’ll try to put together a good one tomorrow.”

Andrew Williamson, Eric Wowor, Vaughn van Deventer, Francois Van der Walt and Jacquin Hess tied fourth on four-under while Paul Boshoff, Warwick Purchase and Marcel Steyn Scholtz make up the top ten leading players on three-under-par.