Uncategorized Archives - AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open

Schaper chips in to win AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open

BEL OMBRE, Mauritius – South Africa’s Jayden Schaper literally saved the best for last.

In his last shot of a defining year, Schaper chipped in for eagle to beat American Ryan Gerard in a playoff and win the AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open at La Réserve Golf Links on Sunday.

It was a moment of pure genius from the 24-year-old professional and capped his second consecutive victory on the Sunshine Tour and DP World Tour after winning the previous week’s Alfred Dunhill Championship, also in a playoff.

“Those are the shots you’re dreaming about when you’re on the practice green as a youngster. To pull it off in a tournament and in a playoff – I don’t know. I just can’t wait to get back and look at the footage of that shot because you’re in the moment and focused and you don’t really take in what just happened. I’m pretty sure it’s going to hit me later but it’s just so insane,” said Schaper.

In the last three weeks he’s finished second in the Nedbank Golf Challenge in honour of Gary Player, first in the Alfred Dunhill Championship and first in the AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open.

On a windy Sunday at La Réserve Golf Links, Schaper produced a final round of 64 including three birdies in his final four holes to finish at 22 under par. Gerard, playing behind him, was on the 18^th one shot behind and had a scare when he thought his ball had moved when he addressed it on the fairway. He was cleared by a rules official and went on to make an incredible birdie from the greenside bunker to tie Schaper, closing with a 66.

Gerard made his intentions clear this week when he said he’d flown all the way from Florida to play this event as a final opportunity to win and end the year in the top 50 on the Official World Golf Ranking, thereby securing himself a Masters invite.

Playing the par-five 18^th as the first playoff hole, both golfers made par.

And then came the moment of magic from Schaper on the second playoff hole to end a career-defining 2025 and set up an exciting 2026 for the young star.

“So far it’s been two of the best weeks of my career, but hopefully there is more to come. It’s been insane and you could never have asked for any better. It’s unreal,” he said.

South Africa’s Casey Jarvis finished third on 17 under par with a final round of 71.

Schaper’s victory capped a remarkable week on the Sunshine Tour and DP World Tour, and on a celebrated golf course that in a very short time has garnered global awards and praise.

“It is an incredible golf course. When we played it for the first time in 2023 it had only been open for a couple of months and it was a bit young. But two years later it has matured incredibly well and the playing surfaces are as good as I’ve seen anywhere. It has to be perhaps the most stunning golf course I’ve ever seen in my 32-year tenure on the DP World Tour,” said Miguel Vidaor, Tournament Director for the DP World Tour.

The AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open is proudly supported by leading brands such as AfrAsia Bank, Heritage Resorts, ER Group, Beachcomber Resorts & Hotels, Heritage Villas Valriche, Mont Choisy Group, Mauritius Tourism Promotion Authority (MTPA), Range Rover, Emtel, Poncini, Mauritius Golf Federation, Phoenix Beverages, ticketbox.mu, DStv, C-Care, Mautourco, Ernie Els Wines, CBE, Miko Coffee, MobiMEA, Mastercard, SMAG and iconic.

AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open keeps showcasing the growth of Mauritius golf

BEL OMBRE, Mauritius – Julien Sale making the cut in his first appearance in this week’s AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open was significant in many respects. Although playing under the French flag, Sale was born and raised on the nearby island of Reunion and his presence in this Sunshine Tour and DP World Tour event is a massive source of inspiration for the young golfers in the region.

On a Saturday when a host of young junior golfers attended the AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open Golf Clinic at the La Réserve Golf Links, Sale reflects exactly the aspirational effect this event is having on the development of golf in Mauritius.

“This tournament is a big source of inspiration for our junior golfers,” says Yannick Mervan, President of the Mauritius Golf Federation.

“We have seen a good increase in terms of participation of junior in our federation. They watch these golfers on TV and there are able to see them here in real life. And we’ve seen the effect. This year we had two Mauritian junior golfers who joined the World Amateur Golf Ranking.”

Sale’s appearance in this event is a true return to his golf roots in a region that is starting to tell the story of its own golf heroes and create its own generation of stars who, through event, can now see a pathway to global success.

Sale made history on the Asian Tour this year when he won in his first tournament as a member of the Tour in the Smart Infinity Philippine Open, also becoming the first French winner of this title. He ended 40^th on the HotelPlanner Tour’s Road to Mallorca rankings this year with three top-10 finishes.

Similarly, Mauritius’ Pierre Pellegrin has come through the ranks of this tournament, having played in it since his amateur days and now as a professional. It’s been a key stepping stone in his own career as he’s now graduated to the Sunshine Tour.

“Playing my home Open is very important. I hope the young golfers of Mauritius are inspired by it because competing against some of the best golfers in this event is a privilege,” says Pellegrin.

Even for those working in the Mauritius golf industry, the AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open is a source of true pride.

“For us, this is the biggest tournament in the Indian Ocean. It’s a celebration of golf in Mauritius, and that’s the goal for us,” says Heritage Golf ambassador and PGA Professional Lewis Wallace.

Jarvis and Gerard locked in battle for AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open glory

BEL OMBRE, Mauritius – South Africa’s Casey Jarvis and American Ryan Gerard will head into Sunday’s final round of the AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open tied for the lead and each chasing a goal that will bring a sweet end to their year.

The duo head this field on 16 under par, one stroke clear of France’s Alexander Levy and two clear of the in-form Jayden Schaper from South Africa.

Jarvis has led or shared the lead from the first round and kept his place with a 68 on Saturday. Gerard surged through the field with a 63 that featured a back nine of 30.

The young South Africa came into this event having won twice in three tournaments on the Sunshine Tour, and now feeling confident enough to challenge for a maiden DP World Tour title.

“I love it. I’ve won two events on the Sunshine Tour and that gives me confidence for this final round. I’m really looking forward to it, and to being in the final group on the DP World Tour for a change. It’s going to be fun,” he said.

Alongside him, Gerard is also relishing the final-round battle to come.

“I made the most of an opportunity to go and get it today. I’m looking forward to the challenge. My caddie, JP, said we’re coming here to have fun but not just to whack it around – we’re coming here with intent,” said Gerard, whose goal is firmly on a win that should carry him into the top 50 on the Official World Golf Ranking before the end of the year and secure him a Masters invite for next year.

“That’s the reason I flew a long way to come here and hopefully punch a ticket to The Masters. That’s the goal. Competing in pressure situations are the most fun you can have as a professional golfer. I’m someone who loves competing and hates losing. If I win I’m sure I’ll have a chance to go and play at Augusta National come April.”

But Gerard rightly pointed out a quality group of players near the top of the leaderboard and a golf course where anything can still happen in the final round as elements to be cautious of.

Levy is one of those players just one shot behind them and playing some of the best golf of his career while loving every minute of it.

And Schaper’s win in last week’s Alfred Dunhill Championship has opened the floodgates on his own confidence going into the final round just two shots adrift.

“You want to be in the mix on the final day. I just had so much fun out there and it was nice to make a move up the leaderboard,” he said.

SCORES

200 – Ryan Gerard 68 69 63
200 – Casey Jarvis 67 65 68
201 – Alexander Levy 68 66 67
202 – Jayden Schaper 69 69 64
204 – Manuel Elvira 68 67 69
205 – Tobias Jonsson 72 66 67
205 – John Parry 70 68 67, Michael Hollick 73 65 67
206 – Andreas Halvorsen 69 72 65
206 – Marcel Schneider 72 68 66, Daniel van Tonder 71 68 67
207 – Hennie du Plessis 72 67 68
207 – Brandon Stone 68 68 71
208 – Marcel Siem 73 67 68
208 – Anthony Quayle 68 71 69, Tom Vaillant 72 67 69
209 – Hugo Townsend 69 71 69
210 – Adri Arnaus 70 70 70
210 – Jovan Rebula 73 67 70, Eugenio Chacarra 72 68 70, Oihan Guillamoundeguy 71 69 70, Francesco Laporta 71 67 72
211 – Jonathan Broomhead 75 68 68
211 – Daniel Brown 71 72 68, Renato Paratore 74 69 68, Kieran Vincent 75 68 68, JC Ritchie 74 69 68, Marcus Armitage 72 69 70, Zander Lombard 72 68 71
212 – Joakim Lagergren 69 73 70
212 – Jack Senior 73 68 71, Oliver Lindell 72 69 71, Alex Fitzpatrick 69 71 72, MJ Daffue 69 70 73, Angel Ayora 71 68 73, Scott Jamieson 67 72 73, Herman Loubser 68 69 75, Dylan Frittelli 68 69 75
213 – Wilco Nienaber 71 72 70
213 – Andrea Pavan 73 69 71, Christo Lamprecht 71 70 72
214 – Julien Sale 77 67 70
214 – Frederico Biondi Figueiredo 76 68 70, Niklas Lemke 73 70 71, Shubhankar Sharma 74 69 71, Nathan Kimsey 72 71 71, Gregorio De Leo 73 67 74
215 – Mikael Lindberg 76 68 71
215 – Lyle Rowe 70 72 73, Rocco Repetto 70 72 73, Nick Bachem 72 70 73, Jeff Winther 71 70 74
216 – Luke Jerling 71 73 72
216 – Clement Sordet 71 73 72, Eddie Pepperell 74 68 74, Clément Charmasson 72 69 75
217 – Michael Feuerstein 73 71 73
218 – Christiaan Burke 76 68 74
218 – Jordan Burnand 76 68 74, Quim Vidal 70 74 74, Marcus Kinhult 74 69 75
219 – Cameron Adam 72 72 75
220 – Nikhil Rama 72 72 76
221 – Quintin Wilsnach 73 69 79
221 – Keagan Thomas 73 69 79
222 – Dylan Naidoo 76 67 79

Missed the cut:-

145 – Ben Schmidt 75 70
145 – Martin Vorster 76 69, Jack Hawksby 75 70, Ryan Peake 76 69, Deon Germishuys 74 71, Jamie Rutherford 73 72, Albin Bergstrom 74 71, Pierre Viallaneix 72 73, Aaron Cockerill 77 68, Ross Fisher 74 71, Benjamin Van Wyk 73 72
146 – Samuel Simpson 78 68
146 – Sebastian Garcia 72 74, Brandon Robinson Thompson 73 73, Ryan Van Velzen 71 75, Joe Dean 77 69, Austin Bautista 76 70, Quentin Debove 76 70, Benjamin Follett-Smith 73 73
147 – Ryggs Johnston 77 70
147 – Jacques P de Villiers 75 72, MJ Viljoen 77 70, Rhys Enoch 73 74, Joe Long 73 74, Kieron van Wyk 73 74, Stals Swart 76 71, Adam Blomme 74 73, Keenan Davidse 76 71, Yurav Premlall 75 72, Stefano Mazzoli 78 69, Joshua Berry 77 70
148 – Nicolas Colsaerts 79 69
148 – Jack Buchanan 73 75, Richard Sterne 76 72, Jacques Blaauw 76 72, Jason Roets 76 72
149 – Kyle Barker 73 76
149 – Dylan Mostert 77 72, Mike Toorop 74 75, Gerhard Pepler 80 69, Connor Mckinney 73 76, David Ravetto 79 70, Matthew Baldwin 78 71, Neil Schietekat 76 73, Felix Mory 81 68, Hennie Otto 76 73, Robin Williams 76 73, Louis Albertse 77 72, Daniel Rodrigues 72 77
150 – Ivan Cantero 79 71
150 – George Coetzee 77 73, Todd Clements 76 74, Ruan Korb 76 74, Jean-Paul Strydom 74 76, Altin van der Merwe 80 70, Dominic Foos 75 75, Jacob Olesen 73 77, Ricky Hendler 71 79, Luis Carrera 80 70, Pieter Moolman 79 71
151 – Wynand Dingle 76 75
151 – Toto Thimba Jnr 78 73, Sadom Kaewkanjana 80 71, Tyran Snyders 79 72, Franklin Manchest 71 80, Hunter Logan 77 74
152 – Warwick Purchase 75 77
152 – Euan Walker 77 75
153 – Rowan Lester 82 71
153 – Pierre Pellegrin 81 72, Tyrone Ryan 78 75, Davis Bryant 80 73
154 – Oliver Bekker 75 79
155 – Rupert Kaminski 80 75
155 – Malcolm Mitchell 79 76
156 – CJ du Plessis 79 77
156 – Rhys West 79 77, Jacquin Hess 80 76, Andres German Gallegos 80 76
157 – James Mack 82 75
157 – Bjorn Akesson 81 76
158 – Ryan van der Klis 79 79
158 – Kyle De Beer 79 79
161 – Xander Basson 81 80
162 – Stephen Ferreira 82 80
163 – Jack Yule 84 79
WDN – Jens Dantorp 80 WDN
RTD – Marcus Sandile Taylor RTD RTD, Robson Chinhoi 81 RTD, Allen John 80 RTD

The PGA TOUR champion who has come to Mauritius to play his way into The Masters

BEL OMBRE, Mauritius – Ryan Gerard almost went undetected.

The winner on the PGA TOUR this year who is currently 57^th on the Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) made a low-key entrance onto the Indian Ocean island for this week’s AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open on the Sunshine Tour and DP World Tour.

It remained that way through the wind and rain and late finish and incomplete first round of this popular tournament.

Until he hit the weekend just five shots off the lead.

So what exactly is the man who finished tied eighth in this year’s PGA Championship and won the Barracuda Championship on the PGA TOUR doing in Mauritius?

“The kind people at the OWGR sent me some end-of-year projections. I’m just outside the top 50. I figured I’d have one more crack at that and give it my best shot. Then I could hang my hat on giving it my all for the season, and the top 50 by the end of the year to get into The Masters. So that’s kind of a kick in the pants to come 10 000 miles from Florida and tee it up,” he said.

“It wasn’t on the Bingo card at the start of the season for sure, but I’m excited to be here. It’s a really cool place, and hopefully two more solid rounds will make it a nice trip that was worth it.”

He’d most likely need a win to carry him into the top 50. Should it not happen this week, then there is the opportunity of the 2026 Investec South African Open which for the first time in South African golf history is offering an exemption to The Masters for the champion.

“Potentially, it’s something I might consider. I’ve heard good things about the Nedbank Golf Challenge in honour of Gary Player, the Alfred Dunhill Championship, and all those events. I have a couple of friends from South Africa who’ve been urging me to get down there. It just depends on the schedule. My focus is playing well on the PGA TOUR and fitting in other cool things along the way if possible. Aldrich Potgieter is a pretty good buddy of mine. I’ve played a few rounds with him this year alone. He’s been telling me I’ve got to come and play in South Africa. Nick Price told me a couple of years ago that Leopard Creek is one of his favourite golf courses. So when you hear them say things like that, it makes you want to at least look at going there. It’s a long trip from where I live and it has to fit in the schedule properly. But if it does, it’s something that I’d love to do at some point. This one just fitted in the schedule.”

Jarvis leads into weekend of AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open

BEL OMBRE, Mauritius – Just before the storm rolled in, Casey Jarvis caught his own bit of lightning in a bottle and signed for a 65 to lead the AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open on 12 under par heading into the weekend at La Réserve Golf Links.

The young South African has given himself another shot at a maiden DP World Tour title in a career that of late is producing more consistent opportunities at this level, and on the back of his two victories in three tournaments on the Sunshine Tour in November.

His nearest challenger is France’s Alex Levy on 10 under par, while PGA TOUR winner and world number 57 Ryan Gerard of America is well placed just five shots off the lead. Gerard has come to Mauritius in the hope of a win that will shift him into the top 50 on the Official Golf World Ranking before the end of the year, and which would in turn secure him a place in The Masters next year.

But for now, it’s Jarvis who’s in control of this Sunshine Tour and DP World Tour event.

“I always love coming to Mauritius so to have started well in the first round and then to back it up with a good round today is positive,” said Jarvis, who shared the lead with Scott Jamieson after the first day.

Jarvis had the best of the early morning conditions and took advantage.

“The conditions were pretty easy. There wasn’t much wind until the last couple of holes. I’m just trying to have fun out here this week. I thought I’m in Mauritius so I might as well have fun, and it seems to be working. This is a different course that I’m used to but I like the few driveable holes out here. I just need to stay patient and stick to the same gameplan for the next two rounds.”

Levy’s 66 was equally impressive considering he didn’t drop a single shot despite playing in some of the worst weather as a heavy downpour combined with the wind to make this golf course an even tougher prospect.

“I played really solid and am very proud because the conditions were tough. I managed myself very well and am pleased with that. I’ve been working really hard the last few months and just getting back to what I used to do in the past with my swing, and it’s paying off already which is good,” he said.

Spain’s Manuel Elvira heads into the weekend on nine under par following a 67, with South Africa’s Brandon Stone on eight under.

SCORES

132 – Casey Jarvis 67 65
134 – Alexander Levy 68 66
135 – Manuel Elvira 68 67
136 – Brandon Stone 68 68
137 – Ryan Gerard 68 69
137 – Dylan Frittelli 68 69, Herman Loubser 68 69
138 – Michael Hollick 73 65
138 – John Parry 70 68, Francesco Laporta 71 67, Jayden Schaper 69 69, Tobias Jonsson 72 66
139 – Scott Jamieson 67 72
139 – Tom Vaillant 72 67, Anthony Quayle 68 71, Hennie du Plessis 72 67, Angel Ayora 71 68, MJ Daffue 69 70, Daniel van Tonder 71 68
140 – Oihan Guillamoundeguy 71 69
140 – Alex Fitzpatrick 69 71, Hugo Townsend 69 71, Marcel Schneider 72 68, Marcel Siem 73 67, Zander Lombard 72 68, Eugenio Chacarra 72 68, Gregorio De Leo 73 67, Jovan Rebula 73 67, Adri Arnaus 70 70
141 – Clément Charmasson 72 69
141 – Oliver Lindell 72 69, Christo Lamprecht 71 70, Marcus Armitage 72 69, Andreas Halvorsen 69 72, Jack Senior 73 68, Jeff Winther 71 70
142 – Nick Bachem 72 70
142 – Eddie Pepperell 74 68, Andrea Pavan 73 69, Keagan Thomas 73 69, Joakim Lagergren 69 73, Rocco Repetto 70 72, Quintin Wilsnach 73 69, Lyle Rowe 70 72
143 – Dylan Naidoo 76 67
143 – Wilco Nienaber 71 72, JC Ritchie 74 69, Marcus Kinhult 74 69, Kieran Vincent 75 68, Renato Paratore 74 69, Daniel Brown 71 72, Nathan Kimsey 72 71, Jonathan Broomhead 75 68, Shubhankar Sharma 74 69, Niklas Lemke 73 70
144 – Nikhil Rama 72 72
144 – Cameron Adam 72 72, Clement Sordet 71 73, Quim Vidal 70 74, Michael Feuerstein 73 71, Mikael Lindberg 76 68, Jordan Burnand 76 68, Christiaan Burke 76 68, Frederico Biondi Figueiredo 76 68, Luke Jerling 71 73, Julien Sale 77 67

Missed the cut:-

Jarvis and Jamieson lead tough opening round of AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open

BEL OMBRE, Mauritius – On a tough opening day of wind and rain, the AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open leaderboard was packed tighter than a pod of dolphins at La Réserve Golf Links on Thursday.

Battered by a constant wind from dawn to dusk, and with intermittent squalls of rain, South Africa’s Casey Jarvis and Scotland’s Scott Jamieson rose to the top of the leaderboard for the shared clubhouse lead with rounds of five-under-par 67. The round was unable to be completed because of darkness and will restart on Friday morning.

They are one stroke clear of six players, including 2017 AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open champion Dylan Frittelli, Herman Loubser – currently second on the Sunshine Tour Courier Guy Order of Merit –, and Brandon Stone.

The challenge of the conditions on day one is reflected in the fact that of the 155 golfers in the field, only 33 were under par.

Even the two leaders had double bogeys on their cards.

Jayden Schaper made another good with his round of three-under 69 as he seeks back-to-back victories following his win in last week’s Alfred Dunhill Championship.

And he summed up just how difficult a first day it was.

“It’s a tough course out there and we were out there for quite some time. I managed to stay calm and not focus too much on the wind around me. I did well to block it out. But it’s definitely a challenge out there. It’s very windy and the course is quite tight, and there are a lot of crosswinds.”

Frittelli agreed.

“The wind was howling and we had three rain squalls come through. I was really happy to be under par today. But I’m also starting to learn this course.”

And Levy was equally pleased to have come through the opening round in contention.

“It was tough and I played really well. There was wind and rain and it was really tricky. You have to keep the ball on the fairway because this is a very tricky golf course.”

SCORES (incomplete round)

-5 – Scott Jamieson
-5 – Casey Jarvis
-4 – Alexander Levy
-4 – Dylan Frittelli, Herman Loubser, Ryan Gerard, Manuel Elvira, Brandon Stone
-3 – Joakim Lagergren
-3 – Jayden Schaper, Andreas Halvorsen, MJ Daffue, Alex Fitzpatrick, Hugo Townsend, Anthony Quayle [16]
-2 – Rocco Repetto
-2 – Adri Arnaus, Lyle Rowe, John Parry, Quim Vidal
-1 – Ricky Hendler
-1 – Angel Ayora, Daniel Brown, Jeff Winther, Franklin Manchest, Daniel van Tonder, Luke Jerling, Oihan Guillamoundeguy, Christo Lamprecht, Wilco Nienaber, Ryan Van Velzen, Francesco Laporta, Clement Sordet
Par – Hennie du Plessis
Par – Eugenio Chacarra, Marcus Armitage, Pierre Viallaneix, Nathan Kimsey, Tobias Jonsson, Daniel Rodrigues, Nikhil Rama, Clément Charmasson, Oliver Lindell, Nick Bachem, Sebastian Garcia, Marcel Schneider, Zander Lombard, Tom Vaillant, Cameron Adam
+1 – Connor Mckinney
+1 – Michael Feuerstein, Jamie Rutherford, Jacob Olesen, Gregorio De Leo, Jovan Rebula, Jack Senior, Quintin Wilsnach, Benjamin Follett-Smith, Benjamin Van Wyk, Niklas Lemke, Kyle Barker, Michael Hollick, Marcel Siem, Brandon Robinson Thompson, Andrea Pavan, Rhys Enoch, Joe Long, Kieron van Wyk, Austin Bautista [16], Keagan Thomas [16], Jack Buchanan [15]
+2 – Adam Blomme
+2 – Renato Paratore, Albin Bergstrom, Shubhankar Sharma, Ross Fisher, Eddie Pepperell, JC Ritchie, Marcus Kinhult, Jean-Paul Strydom, Mike Toorop [16], Deon Germishuys [16], Jens Dantorp [15]
+3 – Kieran Vincent
+3 – Dominic Foos, Yurav Premlall, Jonathan Broomhead, Ben Schmidt, Oliver Bekker, Jacques P de Villiers, Warwick Purchase, Jack Hawksby, Quentin Debove [16], Ryan Peake [16], Bjorn Akesson [14]
+4 – Richard Sterne
+4 – Mikael Lindberg, Jacques Blaauw, Neil Schietekat, Jordan Burnand, Hennie Otto, Keenan Davidse, Robin Williams, Jason Roets, Frederico Biondi Figueiredo, Christiaan Burke, Wynand Dingle, Dylan Naidoo, Martin Vorster, Todd Clements, Ruan Korb
+5 – Euan Walker
+5 – Aaron Cockerill, Joshua Berry, Louis Albertse, Hunter Logan, Julien Sale, Ryggs Johnston, George Coetzee, Dylan Mostert, Joe Dean, MJ Viljoen, Rhys West [16]
+6 – Matthew Baldwin
+6 – Tyrone Ryan, Stefano Mazzoli, Samuel Simpson, Toto Thimba Jnr
+7 – Tyran Snyders
+7 – Kyle De Beer, David Ravetto, Pieter Moolman, Malcolm Mitchell, Ivan Cantero, Ryan van der Klis, Nicolas Colsaerts, CJ du Plessis
+8 – Andres German Gallegos
+8 – Rupert Kaminski, Luis Carrera, Davis Bryant, Allen John, Sadom Kaewkanjana, Jacquin Hess [16], Gerhard Pepler [16], Stals Swart [15]
+9 – Pierre Pellegrin
+9 – Felix Mory, Xander Basson, Robson Chinhoi, Altin van der Merwe [16]
+10 – Stephen Ferreira
+10 – James Mack, Rowan Lester
+12 – Jack Yule
RTD – Marcus Sandile Taylor

Schaper chasing back-to-back wins in AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open

Jayden Schaper arrived for this week’s AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open still revelling in his first DP World Tour victory and looking to achieve something only Louis Oosthuizen has managed to do in this event and on the La Réserve Golf Links that will host it.

A win for Schaper this week will give him the same back-to-back triumph that Oosthuizen achieved in 2023, when he followed up his own Alfred Dunhill Championship victory with the AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open trophy on a La Réserve Golf Links course he co-designed with Peter Matkovich.

It’s an even greater possibility given Schaper’s record in Mauritius. In the three AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Opens he’s played, Schaper hasn’t finished worse than 13th. And he finished sixth the last time the tournament was played here at La Réserve Golf Links in 2023.

It would be another remarkable triumph for the young star, who tees off in Thursday’s first round as the leader on the Race to Dubai Rankings, the leader of the DP World Tour’s Opening Swing standings, the leader on the Sunshine Tour’s Courier Guy Order of Merit, and having climbed into the top 100 on the Official World Golf Ranking. Most importantly, though, he’s back on island he loves and has been coming to for family holidays and golf since he was a boy.

“The last two weeks have been incredible, and being here after that is pretty cool,” Schaper said on Tuesday. “I just love Mauritius. I love the resorts, the ocean, the golf courses. What I like about this design is that it’s familiar. My home course is also a Peter Matkovich design, and his designs are focused on being smart and not just bombing it. They’re fun to play. There are always a couple of driveable par fours in his designs, which are also fun.”

Another golfer hunting his own bit of tournament history is defending champion John Parry.

The Englishman is looking to become the first golfer to successfully defend this title.

“I’m really excited. Defending a title is not something I’ve had the opportunity to do before so it’s a new experience which I’m really looking forward to. I absolutely love it in Mauritius. I have my wife with me as well. The golf course looks fantastic. I can see the rough is heavy and I’m guessing it blows a lot here. It looks like a very second-shot golf course and it’s all about hitting it in the right areas and the right levels on the greens. There’s a feeling that if you’re playing well and it’s a windy course like this it might play into your hands a little bit. And being from England I’m fairly used to a bit of wind as well. So I’m excited,” he said.

The AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open is proudly supported by leading brands such as AfrAsia Bank, Heritage Resorts, ER Group, Beachcomber Resorts & Hotels, Heritage Villas Valriche, Mont Choisy Group, Mauritius Tourism Promotion Authority (MTPA), Range Rover, Emtel, Poncini, Mauritius Golf Federation, Phoenix Beverages, ticketbox.mu, DStv, C-Care, Mautourco, Ernie Els Wines, CBE, Miko Coffee, MobiMEA, Mastercard, SMAG and iconic.

Sale and Pellegrin playing for local glory in AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open

French sensation Julien Sale will head back to his golf roots this week when he makes his debut in the AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open at La Réserve Golf Links, starting this Thursday.

Sale will be joined by Mauritius’ Pierre Pellegrin as proud representatives of the Mascarene Islands in this Sunshine Tour and DP World Tour co-sanctioned tournament, and with both sharing the desire to become the first true home winners of the Indian Ocean’s premier golf tournament.

Although now playing under the French flag, Sale grew up on the nearby island of Reunion where he honed his love for the game.

This year he made history on the Asian Tour when he won in his first tournament as a member of the Tour in the Smart Infinity Philippine Open, also becoming the first French winner of this title.

He ended 40^th on the HotelPlanner Tour’s Road to Mallorca rankings this year with three top-10 finishes.

Pellegrin has been a familiar face in this tournament, having played in it since his amateur days and now as a professional. It’s been a key stepping stone in his own career as he’s now graduated to the Sunshine Tour.
The AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open is proudly supported by leading brands such as AfrAsia Bank, Heritage Resorts, ER Group, Beachcomber Resorts & Hotels, Heritage Villas Valriche, Mont Choisy Group, Mauritius Tourism Promotion Authority (MTPA), Range Rover, Emtel, Poncini, Mauritius Golf Federation, Phoenix Beverages, ticketbox.mu, DStv, C-Care, Mautourco, Ernie Els Wines, CBE, Miko Coffee, MobiMEA, Mastercard, SMAG and iconic.

Naidoo hunting more Open glory in AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open

After making history with a win in his own national Open, South Africa’s Dylan Naidoo is hoping to end a breakthrough year with a victory in the AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open at La Réserve Golf Links this December.

Naidoo has confirmed his place in this Sunshine Tour and DP World Tour event from 18-21 December, which played a key role in him securing a DP World Tour card this past season.

The South African finished tied second in last year’s AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open, and less than three months later he took the confidence from that performance and claimed his maiden DP World Tour title in his national Open.

He finished last season ranked 56th on the DP World Tour’s Race to Dubai Rankings to entrench his status on the Tour.

“I’m really looking forward to coming back to the AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open at La Réserve Golf Links. Last year I came second in this tournament and I’d really love to go one better. I love coming to Mauritius. It’s one of my favourite places – the beaches, the culture, the food. It’s such a great way to end off the year. I’m really looking forward to it,” said Naidoo.

As much as Naidoo is making inroads on the DP World Tour, La Réserve Golf Links is doing the same on the global scene as one of the most exciting new courses in the game.

La Réserve Golf Links was voted the Indian Ocean’s Best Golf Course at the World Golf Awards in November, while Heritage Le Telfair Golf and Wellness Resort won World’s Best Golf Hotel at the same awards.

Rising SA star Lamprecht back for another shot at glory in AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open

Christo Lamprecht, South Africa’s latest PGA TOUR member, has confirmed his place in this December’s AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open as he looks to go one better than his runner-up finish here last year.

Lamprecht will compete at the spectacular La Réserve Golf Links, Heritage Resorts, from 18-21 December having just secured his PGA TOUR playing privileges for the new season.

The 24-year-old heads to Mauritius on the back of a groundbreaking debut season on the Korn Ferry Tour where he claimed a victory on his way to finishing ninth overall amongst the top 20 who earned their PGA TOUR cards.

Lamprecht made a spectacular debut in the 2024 AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open where he challenged for the title before finishing tied second with Dylan Naidoo two shots behind champion John Parry.

He returns to the island representing a new generation of South African golfers which he believes is one of the strongest to emerge from the country in recent years. Lamprecht names several young South Africans who’ve competed in Mauritius over the years on this list, including Naidoo.

“We’re a strong group of golfers in our generation, from Dylan Naidoo to Aldrich Potgieter and Wilco Nienaber, Jayden Schaper, Deon Germishuys, Garrick Higgo, Luca Filippi and so many others. I think it’s one of the strongest generations that has come through South Africa in a long time, and it’s awesome to be a part of that.”

Both Lamprecht and Naidoo used their runners-up finishes in Mauritius to build to bigger things, with Naidoo going on to secure his full DP World Tour card for the first time in his career.

The AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open was certainly a defining week for Lamprecht early in his professional career.

“I think it helped that I had my family with me and I just treated it as a holiday week, which is easy to do in Mauritius.”