The Opening Swing and the calendar year wrap up this week on the DP World Tour at the AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open. Here are your five things to know.
Parry defends
John Parry retruned to the DP World Tour last season after claiming three wins on the 2024 HotelPlanner Tour and it did not take him long to claim a first DP World Tour victory in more than 14 years.
The Englishman started Sunday five shots off the lead but carded an eagle, seven birdies and a bogey to sign for a stunning 64 and set the clubhouse target at 14 under par.
With third-round co-leader Dylan Naidoo still making his way down the back nine, Parry faced an anxious wait, but when the South African did not make the eagle he required to force a play-off at the last, Parry was able to celebrate his return to the DP World Tour winner's circle.
South Africans Naidoo and Christo Lamprecht finished in a tie for second, two shots behind Parry, on 12 under, one ahead of countryman Jovan Rebula.
"It's massive," said Parry. "I don't know how long ago - five or six years ago - I was back on the EuroPro Tour and I was close to giving up golf after winning when I was 23 out here.
"So it's been a long battle back but worth every moment for this week."
Back at Heritage La Réserve Golf Links
This week sees the ninth edition of the AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open and second to be held at the stunning Heritage La Réserve Golf Links.
In the 2024 season, the event was won by course co-designer Louis Oosthuizen at 17 under, with the neighbouring Le Château course at La Réserve having hosted in 2015, 2017 and 2019.
And co-designer Peter Matkovich believes the 6,727-yard layout has been going from stength to strength since opening in 2023.
“The course has settled and matured so well and the team at Heritage Golf Club has just been so supportive,” says Matkovich.
“The professionals play on great golf courses throughout the year and we’re proud to contribute to that. I think we’ll surprise a lot of people. I’m really looking forward to showcasing what La Réserve Golf Links is all about and how Mauritius is becoming a recognised golf destination.”
Inside the field
Parry returns to defend his title but he will have an international field aiming to dethrone him in the Indian Ocean.
Fomer champions Dylan Frittelli and George Coetzee join Parry in looking to become the first player to win this event twice, while Nicolas Colsaerts and Ross Fisher bring some Ryder Cup pedigree.
In-form Jayden Schaper comes into the week on the back of his first DP World Tour victory on home soil at last week's Alfred Dunhill Championship, while fellow South African Michael Hollick is hoping to build on an impressive start to the season since benefiting from a pathway via the Sunshine Tour.
England's Dan Bown earned dual membership with the PGA TOUR for 2026 via last season's Race to Dubai and he makes his first start of the new campaign this week.
Add in local favourite Pierre Pellegrin, Mauritius resident Marcel Siem and Julien Sale, who grew up on the nearby island of Réunion, fans have plenty to look forward to.
Opening Swing comes to a close
After four events across three weeks in two continents, the Opening Swing on the Race to Dubai reaches a climax this week in Mauritius.
So far, we have seen three first-time winners emerge.
Spain's David Puig became the first with victory at the season-opening BMW Australian PGA Championship, before Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen of Denmark made his DP World Tour breakthrough at the Crown Australian Open as Kristoffer Reitan won for the second time in as many seasons in the same week at the Nedbank Golf Challenge in honour of Gary Player.
Most recently, Jayden Schaper won last week's Alfred Dunhill Championship in a play-off over countryman Shaun Norris and he sits atop the Swing rankings ahead of the year-ending event on the island nation.
Looking after paradise
This week's venue is GEO certified, meaning it reaches the highest sustainability standards in golf course management and helps with sustainability being built into the event at every turn.
There is no generator use on site, with power coming 100% from the grid and there is a heavy emphasis on sourcing locally on the island and re-using rather than recycling. Wood, signage, infrastructure and other materials are used year after year where possible with minimal importing.
La Réserve Golf Links lies adjacent to a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve — a globally recognised biodiversity hotspot that spans from rugged mountain ridges down to the coral reef of the lagoon.
In partnership with Reef Conservation, Heritage Resorts has launched two long-term restoration initiatives: a seagrass restoration program and a coral nursery project.
These efforts support ongoing research and contribute to the resilience of our lagoon’s marine habitats in a measurable, science-based way.
