Global opportunities for 2023 AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open champion

The winner of this year’s AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open will unlock a host of new global opportunities in a tournament that has always played a key role in the career growth of its champions.

 

Through its status as the final tournament on the DP World Tour’s Opening Swing that marks the start of the new season, the 2023 AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open at the spectacular La Réserve Golf Links from 14-17 December will be the scene of a double triumph come the Sunday afternoon.

 

Beyond the winner of the tournament, the Opening Swing will also have its own Order of Merit which will conclude in Mauritius. The leading professional on this Order of Merit will win an extra $200 000 and, if already a member of the DP World Tour, an invitation into the DP World Tour’s next scheduled Rolex Series tournament as well as a spot in each of the DP World Tour’s Back Nine series of nine high-profile tournaments.

 

All of which could make a week in Mauritius this December a truly career-defining one.

 

It’s in keeping with the history of this tournament as the spark behind the rise of the careers of many of its champions.

 

Every single previous winner of the AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open is now a multiple winner on the DP World Tour, while some have also gone on to win on the PGA Tour.

 

Danish professional Rasmus Højgaard made his DP World Tour breakthrough when he won the 2019 AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open, becoming the third youngest winner in DP World Tour history after Matteo Manassero and Danny Lee, and in just his fifth start on the tour. He went on to win a further three DP World Tour titles and was in contention for a place on the European Ryder Cup team this year.

 

Frenchman Antoine Rozner lost the playoff to Højgaard in 2019 when he was still competing on the European Challenge Tour. He returned in 2022 to win the AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open by a commanding five strokes – the largest margin of victory in the tournament’s history – to cement his status as a rising start of the DP World Tour. The victory in Mauritius marked a personal record of Rozner having won a tournament every year for three years in succession since earning his DP World Tour card in 2020.

 

South African Dylan Frittelli’s victory in the 2017 AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open was his second DP World Tour title. It was a win that lifted him to just outside the top 50 on the Official World Golf Ranking, and it put him on a path to winning on the PGA Tour a year later in the John Deere Classic and challenging in the Majors with a finish of tied fifth in The Masters in 2020 and fifth in The Open in 2021.

 

American Kurt Kitayama claimed his maiden DP World Tour title in the 2018 AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open on his way to later winning the 2023 Arnold Palmer Invitational on the PGA Tour and finishing tied fourth in The PGA Championship this year. He now occupies a place in the top 30 on the Official World Golf Ranking.

 

For early champions George Coetzee (2015) and Wang Jeung-hun (2016), the AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open also formed part of multiple DP World Tour wins in their careers.

 

The 2023 AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open has once again drawn a glittering array of blue-chip sponsors, including AfrAsia Bank, Rogers Group, Rogers Hospitality, Mauritius Tourism Promotion Authority, IBL, Beachcomber Resorts and Hotels, Heritage Villas Valriche, Phoenix Beverages, Jacobs Coffee, Pro Carts, Mautourco and KOHLER.

La Réserve Golf Links set for spectacular debut as new host of 2023 AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open

The magnificent new La Réserve Golf Links will make its international championship debut when it hosts the 2023 AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open from 14-17 December, opening its fairways to the leading professionals on the DP World Tour and Sunshine Tour.

 

As the first and only contemporary links in the Indian Ocean, co-designed by Major champion Louis Oosthuizen and Peter Matkovich, La Réserve Golf Links is the latest and most keenly anticipated offering in Heritage Resorts’ golf portfolio, offering an unparalleled experience of pure golfing drama.

 

The new course’s professional tournament debut coincides with the 2023 AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open now occupying an even more prominent place on the Sunshine Tour and DP World Tour schedules as part of a newly created Opening Swing of events that usher in the DP World Tour’s new season.

 

The AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open will be the final tournament on this Opening Swing, with La Réserve Golf Links set to be the stage where two champions are crowned in that week.

 

Beyond the winner of the tournament, the Opening Swing will also have its own Order of Merit with the leading professional at the conclusion thereof winning an extra $200 000 and, if already a member of the DP World Tour, an invitation into the DP World Tour’s next scheduled Rolex Series tournament as well as a spot in each of the DP World Tour’s Back Nine series of tournaments.

 

“The AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open is a source of tremendous national pride and mirrors AfrAsia Bank’s vision to not only affirm Mauritius’ status as a major international financial centre with a robust banking system, but also a vibrant epicentre to invest, work, live or retire. To partner this vision with the exciting news of a new host venue as acclaimed as La Réserve Golf Links reinforces our belief of doing what others said cannot be done, and connecting local possibilities for a global impact,” said Thierry Vallet, Founder Executive of AfrAsia Bank.

 

La Réserve Golf Links adds significantly to the already world-class golf offering in the south of Mauritius and on the renowned Bel Ombre estate, with Heritage Golf Club having hosted the AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open on three previous occasions on its critically acclaimed Le Château Golf Course. This new addition transforms Heritage Resorts into the only 45-hole golf destination in the Indian Ocean, establishing the south of the island as a true home of golf.

 

“The 2023 edition of the AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open (ABMO) is set to be like no other,” said Thierry Montocchio, Executive Director and CEO of Rogers Hospitality. “Although we have previously hosted the event, the dramatic setting of La Réserve Golf Links promises to captivate players, viewers and spectators alike. Visitors to Heritage Resorts will have the opportunity to immerse themselves in our distinctive blend of luxury, sustainability, and the inherent beauty of Mauritius, assuring a memorable stay that’s both indulgent and enriching, be that on or off the golf course.”

 

This will be the fourth new host course in the seventh edition of the AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open as the tournament continues to support the tourism objectives of Mauritius, with a global broadcast reach in excess of 550 million households showcasing what has become known as “Golf’s Most Beautiful Week”.

 

“We look forward to hosting the professionals and their families for a week that is indeed a highlight of the golf calendar. The AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open is a key partner for Mauritius tourism as it brings the eyes of the golf world to our island and showcases our unique blend of spectacular golf courses and outstanding hospitality. We have a history in the game that stretches back over a century, and we are proud to be able to support the constant innovation in this industry that is represented by this tournament, and which reflects Mauritius as an island of energy and adventure,” said Arvind Bundhun, Director of the Mauritius Tourism Promotion Authority (MTPA).

 

Since its debut in 2015, the AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open has also worked closely with the Mauritius Golf Federation (MGF) to grow the game on the island as Mauritian professionals vie for a place in the field.

 

“The AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open creates a strong aspirational effect for Mauritian golfers as they can see in a tangible way, right on their own doorstep, the wonders of this game and the doors it can open for them. The tournament provides key playing opportunities for our local professionals who have qualified to play in it, and at the same time it supports our development drive as we host the annual golf clinic during the event with our young golfers and the visiting professionals,” said Yannick Merven, President of the Mauritius Golf Federation.

 

The tournament has once again drawn a glittering array of blue-chip sponsors, including AfrAsia Bank, Rogers Group, Rogers Hospitality, Mauritius Tourism Promotion Authority, IBL, Beachcomber Resorts and Hotels, Heritage Villas Valriche, Phoenix Beverages, Jacobs Coffee, Pro Carts and Mautourco.

 

Image credit: Jacob Sjöman

Record win for Rozner in AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open

Frenchman Antoine Rozner claimed his third DP World Tour title with a record five-stroke victory in the AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open at Mont Choisy Le Golf on Sunday.

 

Rozner took a two-stroke lead into the final round and closed with a 67 on another windy day on the island to win on 19 under par and with the biggest margin of victory in the six editions of this Sunshine Tour and DP World Tour event.

 

“It’s unbelievable. I couldn’t dream of a better way to finish the year. It’s amazing. It felt like playing at home to be honest. The crowds here were amazing. It was an unbelievable week,” said Rozner, who in 2019 lost a playoff for this title.

 

Spain’s Alfredo Garcia-Heredia took second place on 14 under par with a final round of 67, while fellow Frenchman Julien Brun finished third on 12 under par following a closing 72.

 

Rozner withstood an early challenge from Garcia-Heredia who birdied three of his first five holes to close to within a shot of the Frenchman, who made only one birdie through the same stretch.

 

But when Rozner made eagle on the par-five seventh, and then birdied the eighth and ninth holes to earn himself a five-stroke lead at the turn, it was effectively over as a contest. He bogeyed the 17th but finished with a birdie on 18.

 

“I played solid all week. My first nine holes was one of my best nines ever. To play that front nine, the harder nine, in five under made a massive difference. I didn’t know the scores and I just tried to stay focused in the moment. I started missing a few shots here and there coming but I had a big enough lead to get it done,” he said.

 

“Winning is very hard, so this is huge. It tests your mind and your game and I was very emotional at the end. We work so hard for this and to get it done is amazing.”

 

The 2022 AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open has also drawn a glittering array of blue-chip sponsors including Beachcomber Resorts & Hotels, Mont Choisy Group, Jaguar, Rogers, Heritage Resorts, IBL, the Mauritius Tourism Promotion Authority (MTPA), 3G Mobile, Phoenix Beverages, Air Mauritius, Mautourco, Fenix XCell Apparel, Hertz, Jacobs, C-Care, Emtel, PRO CARTS, IT Solvz, Häagen-Dazs and Dragon Electronics.

 

Scores:

269 – Antoine Rozner 70 64 68 67

274 – Alfredo Garcia-Heredia 68 66 73 67

276 – Julien Brun 69 68 67 72

277 – Jeong Weon Ko 67 71 70 69, Dylan Mostert 69 71 68 69, Simon Forsstrom 71 69 67 70

278 – Ricardo Gouveia 69 69 71 69, Oliver Bekker 64 71 70 73

279 – Niklas Norgaard Moller 72 67 71 69, Jayden Schaper 68 72 67 72

280 – Brandon Stone 71 72 67 70, Sami Valimaki 62 72 72 74, Pierre Pineau 65 71 70 74

281 – Matthew Southgate 69 70 75 67, Gary Hurley 72 68 71 70, Julien Guerrier 69 75 67 70

282 – Alejandro Canizares 71 71 75 65, Pedro Figueiredo 71 72 70 69

283 – Marcel Siem 73 69 73 68

284 – Ross Mcgowan 74 68 73 69, Louis de Jager 71 71 73 69, Marco Penge 73 70 68 73, Christoffer Bring 67 69 73 75

285 – Jens Fahrbring 69 75 73 68, Jens Dantorp 71 71 74 69, Bryce Easton 72 69 70 74

286 – Craig Howie 70 71 76 69, Alexander Knappe 70 72 73 71, Anthony Michael 75 69 69 73, Nathan Kimsey 75 69 69 73, Oihan Guillamoundeguy 72 66 73 75

287 – Dan Erickson 68 75 74 70, Ian Snyman 71 73 72 71, Matthieu Pavon 73 69 73 72, Jeremy Freiburghaus 71 72 71 73, Stephen Ferreira 70 68 75 74, JC Ritchie 66 72 75 74, Sean Bradley 73 69 70 75

288 – Todd Clements 70 73 73 72

289 – Tom McKibbin 70 71 76 72, Henric Sturehed 73 71 72 73, Casey Jarvis 69 67 77 76, Jaco Prinsloo 74 68 70 77, Ugo Coussaud 70 73 69 77

290 – David Ravetto 70 73 75 72, Keenan Davidse 72 72 74 72, Gary Stal 71 70 76 73, Christiaan Burke 73 69 74 74

291 – Thomas Bjorn 70 74 78 69, Keagan Thomas 72 69 79 71, Santiago Tarrio 70 72 76 73, Manuel Elvira 71 73 74 73, Niklas Lemke 67 75 75 74, Joel Stalter 73 70 72 76, Danie Van Niekerk 74 69 72 76

292 – Nikhil Rama 72 71 73 76, Albert Venter 69 75 72 76

293 – Martin Vorster 72 72 76 73, Lyle Rowe 69 73 75 76, Richard Sterne 71 71 75 76, Dylan Naidoo 74 69 74 76, Bradley Bawden 68 74 73 78, Thomas Aiken 71 70 71 81

294 – Neil Schietekat 72 70 80 72, Pieter Moolman 74 68 77 75

295 – Laurie Canter 70 72 73 80, Ruan Korb 71 72 71 81

296 – Thomas Detry 68 74 74 80

297 – Martin Rohwer 69 75 75 78

WDN – Ockie Strydom 69 73 81 WDN

Rozner chasing AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open glory

Frenchman Antoine Rozner will take a two-stroke lead into Sunday’s final round of the AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open at battling his way through a tough third round at Mont Choisy Le Golf.

 

Playing in a three-club wind, Rozner overcame a bogey-bogey start and fought his way back to a very respectable 68 and the tournament lead on 14 under par.

 

“Yeah, it was tough out there. It was blowing a lot more than the previous days. The long game was tough and the putting was even worse so I struggled,” said Rozner, who in 2019 lost this title in playoff and is back as a two-time DP World Tour winner and also chasing a place in the European Ryder Cup team.

 

“I had a big birdie putt on the fourth that helped me a lot. It helped me to get the round going. I was very solid after that. I feel like I missed a lot of opportunities but I still shot four under. In these conditions that was pretty good. Now we have one more round to go.”

 

His nearest challenger is fellow Frenchman Julien Brun, who posted a 67 and was equally delighted with his performance on a very challenging day.

 

“I’m very pleased with my patience out there because I struggled at the start. It was crazy tricky out there. Downwind your pitching wedge flies and you still have to assess the bounce on the greens, and these greens have big slopes on them. And then into the wind it was at least a three-club wind. It was tough mentally,” he said.

 

South Africa’s Oliver Bekker is in third place on 11 under par following a third round of 70, and a maiden DP World Tour victory on Sunday would be a tremendous reward for a golfer who has certainly paid his dues globally this year in securing himself a card.

 

“I played pretty solid. I didn’t make too many mistakes and I’m feeling good about the final round. This is the kind of golf course where you can make quite a few birdies. If you can get off to a good start and put the guys under pressure you’re in with a good chance. We’ve seen 62s and 64s here this week so even if it’s windy you can still get a good score out there. It’s going to be nice to be a few back and be able to play a bit more aggressive, and see how it pans out.”

The 2022 AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open has also drawn a glittering array of blue-chip sponsors including Beachcomber Resorts & Hotels, Mont Choisy Group, Jaguar, Rogers, Heritage Resorts, IBL, the Mauritius Tourism Promotion Authority (MTPA), 3G Mobile, Phoenix Beverages, Air Mauritius, Mautourco, Fenix XCell Apparel, Hertz, Jacobs, C-Care, Emtel, PRO CARTS, IT Solvz, Häagen-Dazs and Dragon Electronics.

 

Scores:

202 – Antoine Rozner 70 64 68

204 – Julien Brun 69 68 67

205 – Oliver Bekker 64 71 70

206 – Pierre Pineau 65 71 70, Sami Valimaki 62 72 72

207 – Jayden Schaper 68 72 67, Simon Forsstrom 71 69 67, Alfredo Garcia-Heredia 68 66 73

208 – Dylan Mostert 69 71 68, Jeong Weon Ko 67 71 70

209 – Ricardo Gouveia 69 69 71, Christoffer Bring 67 69 73

210 – Brandon Stone 71 72 67, Niklas Norgaard Moller 72 67 71

211 – Julien Guerrier 69 75 67, Marco Penge 73 70 68, Bryce Easton 72 69 70, Gary Hurley 72 68 71, Oihan Guillamoundeguy 72 66 73

212 – Ugo Coussaud 70 73 69, Sean Bradley 73 69 70, Jaco Prinsloo 74 68 70, Thomas Aiken 71 70 71

213 – Nathan Kimsey 75 69 69, Anthony Michael 75 69 69, Pedro Figueiredo 71 72 70, JC Ritchie 66 72 75, Stephen Ferreira 70 68 75, Casey Jarvis 69 67 77

214 – Ruan Korb 71 72 71, Jeremy Freiburghaus 71 72 71, Matthew Southgate 69 70 75

215 – Danie Van Niekerk 74 69 72, Joel Stalter 73 70 72, Marcel Siem 73 69 73, Matthieu Pavon 73 69 73, Laurie Canter 70 72 73, Alexander Knappe 70 72 73, Bradley Bawden 68 74 73, Louis de Jager 71 71 73, Ross Mcgowan 74 68 73

216 – Ian Snyman 71 73 72, Henric Sturehed 73 71 72, Albert Venter 69 75 72, Todd Clements 70 73 73, Nikhil Rama 72 71 73, Jens Dantorp 71 71 74, Thomas Detry 68 74 74, Christiaan Burke 73 69 74

217 – Jens Fahrbring 69 75 73, Dylan Naidoo 74 69 74, Dan Erickson 68 75 74, Niklas Lemke 67 75 75, Alejandro Canizares 71 71 75, Richard Sterne 71 71 75, Lyle Rowe 69 73 75, Gary Stal 71 70 76, Craig Howie 70 71 76, Tom McKibbin 70 71 76

218 – Keenan Davidse 72 72 74, Manuel Elvira 71 73 74, David Ravetto 70 73 75, Santiago Tarrio 70 72 76

219 – Martin Rohwer 69 75 75, Pieter Moolman 74 68 77

220 – Martin Vorster 72 72 76, Keagan Thomas 72 69 79

222 – Thomas Bjorn 70 74 78, Neil Schietekat 72 70 80

223 – Ockie Strydom 69 73 81

Missed the cut:-

145 – John Axelsen 76 69, Lucas Bjerregaard 73 72, Philip Eriksson 76 69, Jacques P de Villiers 71 74, Harry Konig 73 72, Ryan Van Velzen 69 76, Joshua Lee 72 73, Yan Wei Liu 74 71, Sam Hutsby 72 73, Heinrich Bruiners 70 75, Rupert Kaminski 73 72, Kyle Barker 72 73

146 – Makhetha Mazibuko 72 74, Rhys Enoch 75 71, Nicolas Colsaerts 73 73, Jordan Gumberg 73 73, Ashley Chesters 75 71, Renato Paratore 73 73, Dean Burmester 71 75

147 – Angel Hidalgo 75 72, Luke Jerling 74 73, Anton Karlsson 72 75, Wynand Dingle 74 73, Jordan Duminy 72 75, Velten Meyer 76 71, Louis Albertse 75 72, Jean-Paul Strydom 74 73, Peter Karmis 72 75, Aldrich Potgieter 74 73, Jake Redman 75 72, Luke Harries 73 74, Graeme Storm 74 73, OJ Farrell 73 74

148 – Herman Loubser 74 74, Estiaan Conradie 76 72, JJ Senekal 78 70, Rhys West 74 74, Gudmundur Kristjansson 78 70, Luke Brown 72 76, Vishnoo Seenevassen 72 76, Tristen Strydom 75 73, Pavan Sagoo 75 73

149 – Steve Surry 77 72, Ricardo Santos 76 73, Brooklin Bailey 79 70, Javier Sainz 74 75, Deon Germishuys 72 77, Michael Palmer 76 73, Alejandro Del Rey 68 81, Kyle McClatchie 73 76, Mikael Lindberg 72 77, Jbe’ Kruger 76 73, Luca Filippi 73 76, Keith Horne 73 76

150 – Merrick Bremner 76 74, Grant Forrest 72 78, Divan van den Heever 71 79, Matias Calderon 73 77, Toto Thimba Jnr 75 75, Pierre Pellegrin 75 75, Michael Kok 72 78, Stefan Wears-Taylor 76 74, Benjamin Rusch 80 70

151 – Adam Breen 77 74, Jaco Van Zyl 72 79, Elias Bertheussen 79 72, Mateusz Gradecki 76 75, Andre De Decker 72 79

152 – Quintin Wilsnach 74 78, James Hart du Preez 77 75, MJ Viljoen 80 72, Malcolm Mitchell 74 78, Hennie Otto 73 79, CJ du Plessis 78 74

153 – Keelan van Wyk 76 77

154 – Filippo Celli 73 81, Gerard du Plooy 76 78, John Murphy 70 84, Ryo Hisatsune 77 77, Emilio Cuartero Blanco 80 74

155 – Hugo Esposito 77 78, Freddy Schott 79 76

156 – Kristoffer Reitan 77 79

157 – Henry Sheridan-Mills 78 79

162 – Ruan Conradie 79 83

RTD – Adilson Da Silva 73 RTD

Rozner in the hunt again at AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open

Frenchman Antoine Rozner joined a three-way tie for the lead going into the weekend of the AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open as he seeks to claim a title that he was denied in a playoff the last time it was played in 2019.

 

On a windy day that brought out a completely different side to the Mont Choisy Le Golf course, Rozner signed for a sublime 64 to share the lead with Finland’s Sami Välimäki and Spain’s Alfredo Garcia-Heredia on 10 under par. Välimäki, who set the course record with a 62 in the first round, was frustrated with his second round 72, while Garcia-Heredia posted a solid 66 to join the leaders.

 

They are all one stroke clear of South Africa’s Oliver Bekker, who carded a 71 on Friday.

 

Rozner was understandably delighted with his performance on a very tricky day.

 

“I think this is one of the first times in my career where I am happy with every single score on every hole. That doesn’t happen a lot. I don’t think I could score any better on this golf course today,” said the man who in 2019 lost in a playoff to Rasmus Højgaard but who returns as a vastly different golfer with two DP World Tour victories since then.

 

“It was tricky and tough out there, so I’m really pleased with the way I played. I always missed on the right side and my chipping was great as well. It was tough, especially with the side winds. You had to aim so far right and left with those winds. My putting was also very solid. I’m happy with everything.”

 

Mauritius certainly suits Rozner and he’s relishing how the island enhances his game. “I like this place. Once you’re off the course you completely disconnect and cannot think about golf. That suits me well.”

 

Välimäki didn’t get what he was hoping for from his second round and felt his putter was to blame. “It was pretty bad really. We made four easy mistakes and couldn’t make any putts. I just didn’t make putts and had bad chips. I’m still playing good golf but I just need to make those birdies,” he said.

 

And Garcia-Heredia was thrilled to share the lead as he looks to match the big-game fishing success he’s had on the island by hooking a trophy as well this week.

 

“I am loving the fishing in Mauritius. The fishing always relaxes me. I’ve caught sea trout, barracuda, a 40kg tuna, kingfish and a few others. Now I have to play some golf. But I enjoyed it a lot out there. It was fun. It was windy, but it was a fair wind. It was always from the same direction, so you just had to adjust for the intensity of the wind. I’m pretty much happy with everything in my game at the moment. I played really solid these first two rounds. I went to see a putting coach because last year wasn’t good, and my putting has improved a lot. I have a good local caddie this week and he knows the greens, so I’m following his advice and it’s going well.”

 

The 2022 AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open has also drawn a glittering array of blue-chip sponsors including Beachcomber Resorts & Hotels, Mont Choisy Group, Jaguar, Rogers, Heritage Resorts, IBL, the Mauritius Tourism Promotion Authority (MTPA), 3G Mobile, Phoenix Beverages, Air Mauritius, Mautourco, Fenix XCell Apparel, Hertz, Jacobs, C-Care, Emtel, PRO CARTS, IT Solvz, Häagen-Dazs and Dragon Electronics.

 

Scores:

134 – Sami Valimaki 62 72, Alfredo Garcia-Heredia 68 66, Antoine Rozner 70 64

135 – Oliver Bekker 64 71

136 – Christoffer Bring 67 69, Pierre Pineau 65 71, Casey Jarvis 69 67

137 – Julien Brun 69 68

138 – Stephen Ferreira 70 68, Jeong Weon Ko 67 71, Ricardo Gouveia 69 69, JC Ritchie 66 72, Oihan Guillamoundeguy 72 66

139 – Matthew Southgate 69 70, Niklas Norgaard Moller 72 67

140 – Dylan Mostert 69 71, Gary Hurley 72 68, Simon Forsstrom 71 69, Jayden Schaper 68 72

141 – Thomas Aiken 71 70, Tom McKibbin 70 71, Bryce Easton 72 69, Craig Howie 70 71, Gary Stal 71 70, Keagan Thomas 72 69

142 – Lyle Rowe 69 73, Christiaan Burke 73 69, Richard Sterne 71 71, Ross Mcgowan 74 68, Thomas Detry 68 74, Louis de Jager 71 71, Jaco Prinsloo 74 68, Jens Dantorp 71 71, Alejandro Canizares 71 71, Bradley Bawden 68 74, Alexander Knappe 70 72, Neil Schietekat 72 70, Laurie Canter 70 72, Santiago Tarrio 70 72, Ockie Strydom 69 73, Matthieu Pavon 73 69, Niklas Lemke 67 75, Pieter Moolman 74 68, Marcel Siem 73 69, Sean Bradley 73 69

143 – Dan Erickson 68 75, Pedro Figueiredo 71 72, Jeremy Freiburghaus 71 72, Dylan Naidoo 74 69, Brandon Stone 71 72, Nikhil Rama 72 71, Marco Penge 73 70, Ruan Korb 71 72, Joel Stalter 73 70, Ugo Coussaud 70 73, Todd Clements 70 73, Danie Van Niekerk 74 69, David Ravetto 70 73

144 – Martin Rohwer 69 75, Thomas Bjorn 70 74, Julien Guerrier 69 75, Anthony Michael 75 69, Manuel Elvira 71 73, Nathan Kimsey 75 69, Martin Vorster 72 72, Albert Venter 69 75, Henric Sturehed 73 71, Ian Snyman 71 73, Keenan Davidse 72 72, Jens Fahrbring 69 75

Missed the cut:-

145 – John Axelsen 76 69, Lucas Bjerregaard 73 72, Philip Eriksson 76 69, Jacques P de Villiers 71 74, Harry Konig 73 72, Ryan Van Velzen 69 76, Joshua Lee 72 73, Yan Wei Liu 74 71, Sam Hutsby 72 73, Heinrich Bruiners 70 75, Rupert Kaminski 73 72, Kyle Barker 72 73

146 – Makhetha Mazibuko 72 74, Rhys Enoch 75 71, Nicolas Colsaerts 73 73, Jordan Gumberg 73 73, Ashley Chesters 75 71, Renato Paratore 73 73, Dean Burmester 71 75

147 – Angel Hidalgo 75 72, Luke Jerling 74 73, Anton Karlsson 72 75, Wynand Dingle 74 73, Jordan Duminy 72 75, Velten Meyer 76 71, Louis Albertse 75 72, Jean-Paul Strydom 74 73, Peter Karmis 72 75, Aldrich Potgieter 74 73, Jake Redman 75 72, Luke Harries 73 74, Graeme Storm 74 73, OJ Farrell 73 74

148 – Herman Loubser 74 74, Estiaan Conradie 76 72, JJ Senekal 78 70, Rhys West 74 74, Gudmundur Kristjansson 78 70, Luke Brown 72 76, Vishnoo Seenevassen 72 76, Tristen Strydom 75 73, Pavan Sagoo 75 73

149 – Steve Surry 77 72, Ricardo Santos 76 73, Brooklin Bailey 79 70, Javier Sainz 74 75, Deon Germishuys 72 77, Michael Palmer 76 73, Alejandro Del Rey 68 81, Kyle McClatchie 73 76, Mikael Lindberg 72 77, Jbe’ Kruger 76 73, Luca Filippi 73 76, Keith Horne 73 76

150 – Merrick Bremner 76 74, Grant Forrest 72 78, Divan van den Heever 71 79, Matias Calderon 73 77, Toto Thimba Jnr 75 75, Pierre Pellegrin 75 75, Michael Kok 72 78, Stefan Wears-Taylor 76 74, Benjamin Rusch 80 70

151 – Adam Breen 77 74, Jaco Van Zyl 72 79, Elias Bertheussen 79 72, Mateusz Gradecki 76 75, Andre De Decker 72 79

152 – Quintin Wilsnach 74 78, James Hart du Preez 77 75, MJ Viljoen 80 72, Malcolm Mitchell 74 78, Hennie Otto 73 79, CJ du Plessis 78 74

153 – Keelan van Wyk 76 77

154 – Filippo Celli 73 81, Gerard du Plooy 76 78, John Murphy 70 84, Ryo Hisatsune 77 77, Emilio Cuartero Blanco 80 74

155 – Hugo Esposito 77 78, Freddy Schott 79 76

156 – Kristoffer Reitan 77 79

157 – Henry Sheridan-Mills 78 79

162 – Ruan Conradie 79 83

RTD – Adilson Da Silva 73 RTD

Course record for Välimäki to lead AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open

Finland’s Sami Välimäki produced a masterful putting display on his way to a bogey-free course-record 10-under-par 62 and a two-stroke lead in Thursday’s first round of the AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open at Mont Choisy Le Golf.

 

On a day of intermittent rain but not much wind, Välimäki bettered the previous course record of 64 set by South Africa’s Jayden Schaper. South Africa’s Oliver Bekker is his nearest challenger following an equally impressive round of eight-under-par 64, while Frenchman Pierre Pineau had set the morning target with his seven-under-par 65.

 

“It was a really nice round. I putted very well and made long putts which I haven’t made in the last few weeks. It was nice to get it rolling like I did today,” said Välimäki, who finished second in the recent Joburg Open.

 

Välimäki and Bekker played together and it was an exhibition of great golf between the two professionals.

 

“Oliver played great as well so we kept making putts and enjoying the day. I feel like I found a rhythm and speed for these greens and that was the key for the day. The heat wasn’t bad today as well because of the rain. I’ll just keep grinding and hitting good shots to give myself opportunities.”

 

Bekker was certainly impressed by what he saw in his playing partner’s game.

 

“It was unbelievable golf. I think we certainly pulled each other along. It was good fun out there. We were quite relaxed even during the rain. Sami is obviously playing some great golf and hopefully in the second round we can keep pushing each other.”

 

Bekker has always enjoyed Mauritius and this tournament. “I generally play well here. I’ve played every AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open and I’ve had several top-10 finishes. I feel comfortable playing here and it showed again today.”

 

European Ryder Cup hopeful Thomas Detry made a solid start with his opening four-under-par 68. The local Mauritian challenge is also looking good after an opening 72 from Vishnoo Seeneevassen.

 

The 2022 AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open has also drawn a glittering array of blue-chip sponsors including Beachcomber Resorts & Hotels, Mont Choisy Group, Jaguar, Rogers, Heritage Resorts, IBL, the Mauritius Tourism Promotion Authority (MTPA), 3G Mobile, Phoenix Beverages, Air Mauritius, Mautourco, Fenix XCell Apparel, Hertz, Jacobs, C-Care, Emtel, PRO CARTS, IT Solvz, Häagen-Dazs and Dragon Electronics.

 

Scores:

62 – Sami Valimaki

64 – Oliver Bekker

65 – Pierre Pineau

66 – JC Ritchie

67 – Niklas Lemke, Christoffer Bring, Jeong Weon Ko

68 – Alejandro Del Rey, Jayden Schaper, Dan Erickson, Thomas Detry, Alfredo Garcia-Heredia, Bradley Bawden

69 – Ockie Strydom, Albert Venter, Jens Fahrbring, Casey Jarvis, Lyle Rowe, Martin Rohwer, Matthew Southgate, Ryan Van Velzen, Ricardo Gouveia, Dylan Mostert, Julien Brun, Julien Guerrier

70 – John Murphy, Heinrich Bruiners, Tom McKibbin, Craig Howie, Santiago Tarrio, Laurie Canter, Antoine Rozner, Ugo Coussaud, Todd Clements, David Ravetto, Stephen Ferreira, Thomas Bjorn, Alexander Knappe

71 – Manuel Elvira, Gary Stal, Simon Forsstrom, Dean Burmester, Ian Snyman, Thomas Aiken, Pedro Figueiredo, Jeremy Freiburghaus, Jacques P de Villiers, Richard Sterne, Louis de Jager, Divan van den Heever, Brandon Stone, Alejandro Canizares, Jens Dantorp, Ruan Korb

72 – Gary Hurley, Sam Hutsby, Neil Schietekat, Peter Karmis, Luke Brown, Bryce Easton, Andre De Decker, Michael Kok, Martin Vorster, Vishnoo Seenevassen, Mikael Lindberg, Kyle Barker, Keagan Thomas, Keenan Davidse, Oihan Guillamoundeguy, Makhetha Mazibuko, Anton Karlsson, Grant Forrest, Joshua Lee, Deon Germishuys, Jaco Van Zyl, Jordan Duminy, Niklas Norgaard Moller, Nikhil Rama

73 – Hennie Otto, Renato Paratore, Rupert Kaminski, Kyle McClatchie, Joel Stalter, Matthieu Pavon, Marcel Siem, Henric Sturehed, Adilson Da Silva, Luca Filippi, Keith Horne, Sean Bradley, Luke Harries, OJ Farrell, Lucas Bjerregaard, Christiaan Burke, Harry Konig, Nicolas Colsaerts, Matias Calderon, Marco Penge, Filippo Celli, Jordan Gumberg

74 – Malcolm Mitchell, Jean-Paul Strydom, Aldrich Potgieter, Pieter Moolman, Danie Van Niekerk, Graeme Storm, Quintin Wilsnach, Luke Jerling, Dylan Naidoo, Wynand Dingle, Herman Loubser, Ross Mcgowan, Yan Wei Liu, Jaco Prinsloo, Javier Sainz, Rhys West

75 – Anthony Michael, Louis Albertse, Jake Redman, Nathan Kimsey, Tristen Strydom, Pavan Sagoo, Angel Hidalgo, Rhys Enoch, Toto Thimba Jnr, Ashley Chesters, Pierre Pellegrin

76 – Mateusz Gradecki, Gerard du Plooy, Jbe’ Kruger, Stefan Wears-Taylor, John Axelsen, Philip Eriksson, Ricardo Santos, Merrick Bremner, Velten Meyer, Estiaan Conradie, Michael Palmer, Keelan van Wyk

77 – Hugo Esposito, Ryo Hisatsune, Kristoffer Reitan, Steve Surry, James Hart du Preez, Adam Breen

78 – Gudmundur Kristjansson, CJ du Plessis, JJ Senekal, Henry Sheridan-Mills

79 – Ruan Conradie, Freddy Schott, Brooklin Bailey, Elias Bertheussen

80 – Emilio Cuartero Blanco, Benjamin Rusch, MJ Viljoen

Palm trees and trophy dreams for Strydom in Mauritius

MONT CHOISY LE GOLF, Mauritius – Ockie Strydom arrived in the paradise of Mauritius for this week’s AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open still feeling as though he’s living a dream following his maiden DP World Tour victory last week. And his best congratulatory message came in the form of a prescription from his pharmacist.

 

“He sent me a prescription saying, ‘Take Johnnie Walker every six hours daily. Repeat for a week’. I just laughed,” said Strydom, who had a life-changing win in last week’s Alfred Dunhill Championship and is hoping to continue that form in this week’s AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open.

 

“Yesterday we were sitting on the beach here in Mauritius and I put my feet up against a palm tree, and I think it finally did sink in then. It’s still feels like a dream for me. But this is a new week and a new opportunity,” he said.

 

The Mont Choisy Le Golf course is hosting its first major professional tournament this week, and the Peter Matkovich-designed layout was already showing its character in Wednesday’s windy pro-am.

 

“It’s my first time seeing this course, but it will be a challenge in the wind. It is wide though, so the opportunities will be there,” said Strydom.

 

Former Ryder Cup captain Thomas Bjørn has played enough golf in Mauritius, including a win in a Legends Tour event here last week, to know the kind of different challenge that this course will present.

“This is a different layout for Mauritius. It’s open and quite generous off the tee but with very tricky greens. It’s all about positioning yourself on the greens. When you first see the course you think this isn’t too difficult, but with the wind and the way these greens are it’s going to pose a lot of challenges,” he said.

 

South Africa’s Dean Burmester is perhaps best placed to provide insight into this layout as it’s his home course.

 

“I haven’t seen the golf course look as tournament ready as it does now. It’s great. The wind is up which it always is around this time of the year, and it’s playing tricky. It’s as close as you’ll get to an inland links. It’s open and with nothing to stop the wind, but with very slopey greens. I think it’s just really ready to host this tournament,” he said.

 

In what is very much an island style to the golf, and in keeping with “The Most Beautiful Week in Golf” theme of this event, the players have been granted permission to wear shorts during the tournament.

 

It all fits in very well with what is a unique week in golf, and a far more relaxed one at the end of a long year on the fairways.

 

“It’s amazing to be here. Just to breathe and relax and spend some time on the beach with the kids and watch them build sandcastles, and then play golf on my home course is wonderful,” said Burmester.

 

“This afternoon we might spend time swimming with the turtles and declutter the mind after a long year.”

 

The 2022 AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open has also drawn a glittering array of blue-chip sponsors including Beachcomber Resorts & Hotels, Mont Choisy Group, Jaguar, Rogers, Heritage Resorts, IBL, the Mauritius Tourism Promotion Authority (MTPA), 3G Mobile, Phoenix Beverages, Air Mauritius, Mautourco, Fenix XCell Apparel, Hertz, Jacobs, C-Care, Emtel, PRO CARTS, IT Solvz, Häagen-Dazs and Dragon Electronics.

A ticket to world-class golf at AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open

A field containing two current European Ryder Cup vice-captains, a former European Ryder Cup captain, multiple Sunshine Tour and DP World Tour winners, and a collection of professional golf’s exciting young stars is what a ticket to this year’s AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open will unlock for golf fans.

 

Ticket sales are in the final push with just over a week to go until the Sunshine Tour and DP World Tour co-sanctioned showpiece tees off at Mont Choisy Le Golf from 15-18 December.

 

Nicolas Colsaerts and Thomas Bjørn will bring the Ryder Cup flavour to this year’s tournament as two of the vice-captains for the European team ahead of the 2023 Ryder Cup in Italy. Bjørn adds to the Ryder Cup influence in the field as the victorious European captain at the 2018 Ryder Cup and a three-time Ryder Cup competitor before this.

 

The field also contains rookie PGA Tour campaigners Thomas Detry and Dean Burmester, DP World Tour champions Brandon Stone and Antoine Rozner, Challenge Tour champions JC Ritchie and Nathan Kimsey, and a number of professionals such as Deon Gemishuys and Bryce Easton who have recently secured their DP World Tour cards and will be using this event to make a fast start to the new season.

 

The next generation of talent will also be on display in Casey Jarvis, Filippo Celli, Jayden Schaper, Tom McKibbin, Wilco Nienaber, and 2022 Amateur champion Aldrich Potgieter.

 

Further ticket details can be found here https://afrasiabankmauritiusopen.com/tournament/ and tickets to this DP World Tour and Sunshine Tour co-sanctioned tournament can be purchased at https://www.marideal.mu/afrasia-bank-mauritius-open-tournament.html.

 

The 2022 AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open returns to the Sunshine Tour and DP World Tour schedules for the first time since 2019 following the Covid-19 pandemic and has drawn a glittering array of blue-chip sponsors including Beachcomber Resorts & Hotels, Mont Choisy Group, Jaguar, Rogers, Heritage Resorts, IBL, the Mauritius Tourism Promotion Authority (MTPA), 3G Mobile, Phoenix Beverages, Air Mauritius, Mautourco, Fenix XCell Apparel, Hertz, Jacobs, C-Care, Emtel, PRO CARTS, IT Solvz, Häagen-Dazs and Dragon Electronics.

Burmester confirmed for 2022 AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open

Dean Burmester, South Africa’s latest PGA TOUR member, has confirmed his place in the 2022 AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open at Mont Choisy Le Golf from 15-18 December which is co-sanctioned by the DP World Tour and Sunshine Tour.

 

Burmester, an ambassador for Mont Choisy Le Golf as well as tournament sponsor Beachcomber Resorts & Hotels, returns to Mauritius as a newly minted PGA TOUR member after securing his status for next season through the Korn Ferry Tour. He also achieved another notable first of his best finish in a Major when he ended tied 11th in the 150th Open Championship in St Andrews this July.

 

The two-time DP World Tour champion and eight-time Sunshine Tour winner is looking forward to improving on his top finish of tied 20th in the 2015 AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open as he plays a tournament that is close to his heart.

 

“I have a proud association with Mauritius through Mont Choisy Le Golf and Beachcomber Resorts & Hotels. Mauritius, and the Trou aux Biches Beachcomber, has always been a destination that I love going to, especially with my family. The fact that this year’s tournament will be played at Mont Choisy Le Golf for the first time made it an even easier decision for me to end what has been a memorable year on the beautiful island of Mauritius,” said Burmester.

 

“I love what Peter Matkovich has done with his design of Mont Choisy Le Golf and I can’t wait to see how the course plays under championship conditions.”

 

From his first Sunshine Tour victory in the 2013 Polokwane Classic, Burmester has been a consistent winner on his home Tour. He was able to translate this into his breakthrough on the DP World Tour when he won the 2017 Tshwane Open. The 33-year-old South African added a second DP World Tour title in the 2021 Tenerife Open and has climbed as high as 64th on the Official World Golf Ranking.

 

The AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open returns to the Sunshine Tour and DP World Tour schedules for the first time since 2019 following the Covid-19 pandemic and has drawn a glittering array of blue-chip sponsors including Beachcomber Resorts & Hotels, Mont Choisy Le Golf, the Mauritius Tourism Promotion Authority (MTPA), Jaguar, Rogers, Heritage Resorts, IBL, 3G Mobile, Phoenix Beverages, Air Mauritius, Emtel, Mautourco and Hertz.

World tours welcome back AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open

 

The AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open will return to the Sunshine Tour and DP World Tour schedules for the first time since 2019 at a celebrated new world-class host venue this December.

 

The sixth edition of this Sunshine Tour and DP World Tour co-sanctioned tournament will break new ground when it travels to the northern region of the island for the first time and to the championship golf course of Mont Choisy Le Golf from 15-18 December 2022.

 

Mauritius will also be the grand finale of a strong conclusion to 2022 for the Sunshine Tour. The AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open will be played at the end of a four-week run of premier Sunshine Tour and DP World Tour co-sanctioned events that begins in Johannesburg and ends on the island, featuring a selection of the finest professionals from both tours.

 

“We are delighted to make our return to the Sunshine Tour and DP World Tour, and more importantly to be the catalyst for bringing the largest sporting event of the region to Mauritius for the first time since the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic. The AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open is an important contributor to the Mauritian economy with a spillover effect to key sectors such as the tourism and financial services to name a few. This tournament, broadcast worldwide, always draws a strong field and plenty of international interest and remains a source of great national pride,” said Thierry Vallet, Founder Executive and Interim CEO of AfrAsia Bank.

 

The 2022 AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open has once again drawn a glittering array of blue-chip sponsors, including Beachcomber Resorts & Hotels which is a premier accommodation partner to the tournament through its eight resorts in Mauritius.

 

“The Beachcomber Resorts & Hotels Group is firmly entrenched in the history of Mauritius, and we are proud to partner with the AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open and help to stimulate the Mauritius tourism industry as we have done since 1962. As the leading hotel group in Mauritius, we are ready to open the doors of our award-winning resorts to the field of international golfers as well as the spectators traveling from abroad to spend this memorable week with us,” said Gilbert Espitalier-Noel, CEO of Beachcomber Resorts & Hotels Group.

 

Mont Choisy Le Golf will make its debut as the host of this year’s tournament, which travels to the magnificent Grand Baie region for the first time.

 

“It is a privilege for Mont Choisy Le Golf to host the 2022 AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open and make our own bit of history in this event. As the only 18-hole championship golf course in the North, we look forward to welcoming the international field to our Peter Matkovich-designed golf course and trust they will enjoy the golf course as well as their week spent in the most prestigious address in Grand Baie at the Mont Choisy Golf and Beach Estate,” said Jyoti Jeetun, the Group Chief Executive Officer of the Mont Choisy Group.

 

With a global television broadcast to almost 400 million homes, the 2022 AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open will play a key role in reigniting the local tourism industry following the disruption caused by the global pandemic.

 

“I am delighted to see the return of the AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open. Mauritius has a strong golf tradition stretching back over 150 years, and the nation is home to some of the best golf courses in the world. We will once more welcome some of the best players in the game to compete at this prestigious event, as well as golf fans who will be there to cheer them on,” said Arvind Bundhun, Director of the Mauritius Tourism Promotion Authority (MTPA).

 

Both the DP World Tour and Sunshine Tour welcomed the return of the AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open to their schedules as part of the Strategic Alliance between the two Tours announced last year which builds on a relationship which dates more than quarter of a century. The return of the two Tours to Mauritius is the continuation of a history of professional golf excellence that has seen four-time Major winner Ernie Els, 2010 Open Champion Louis Oosthuizen, 2011 Open Champion and 2016 European Ryder Cup Captain Darren Clarke, 2018 European Ryder Cup Captain Thomas Björn, and a host of former Ryder Cup and Presidents Cup players compete in this event in the past.

 

Ben Cowen, Chief Tournament Business Officer of the DP World Tour, said: “We are extremely pleased for the beautiful island of Mauritius and for our partners at the AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open to be able to announce the return of this unique event to our DP World Tour international schedule as part of our Strategic Alliance with the Sunshine Tour. It has been a popular event with our members ever since the tournament launched in 2015, and following the challenges of Covid-19, we are looking forward to celebrating its resumption at a new venue in Mont Choisy as part of our 2023 schedule.”

 

Thomas Abt, Commissioner of the Sunshine Tour, said: “It’s been a challenging time for the AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open, as it has for all of us in world golf. The return of this magical tournament is a true sign that we are back to normal in the world of professional golf and we cannot wait to celebrate this with all of our partners in this event.”