The last of four co-sanctioned events between the HotelPlanner Tour and Sunshine Tour takes place this week at the Jonsson Workwear Durban Open. Here are three players to watch…
Form Horse: Max Kennedy
Fresh off a second place finish at the NTT DATA Pro-Am brought to you by Standard Bank, Irishman Max Kennedy arrives at Durban Country Club in fine form. An opening seven under par 65 at Fancourt Golf Estate set the tone for the 24-year-old, who eventually finished on a three-round total of 12 under par, four strokes adrift of winner, MJ Daffue.
After jumping 50 places to sixth on the season-long Road to Mallorca Rankings following his performance in George, Kennedy will be eager to cement his position inside the promotion places after narrowly missing out on the Rolex Grand Final supported by The R&A in his rookie season last year.
Local Boy: Brandon Stone
Few players at this week’s Jonsson Workwear Durban Open come armed with more knowledge than local favourite, Brandon Stone. With close family ties to Durban Country Club and board member Nic Jonsson, the final co-sanctioned event in the Rainbow Nation will feel like a home fixture for the 32-year-old. What’s more, the South African arrives in familiar surroundings with DP World Tour pedigree to his name.
Stone has featured five times on Golf’s Global Tour this season, making five cuts whilst also registering a top ten finish at the AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open. Furthermore, with three DP World Tour wins to his name as well as a HotelPlanner Tour triumph on home soil at the 2021 Limpopo Championship, Stone notching a memorable hometown victory would not come as a surprise.
Outsider: Sam Hutsby
2025 was a difficult year for Englishman Sam Hutsby, who made just four cuts from 18 starts across the HotelPlanner Tour and DP World Tour. However, last week’s NTT Pro-Am brought to you by Standard Bank provided reason for optimism for the 37-year-old.
Rounds of 71-65-69 saw Hutsby finish in a tie for sixth at Fancourt Golf Estate, his best performance since the 2024 D+D REAL Czech Challenge. With two HotelPlanner Tour victories to his name, most recently in 2023, and over 16 years as professional under his belt, Hutsby’s experience could give him the edge if he finds himself in contention heading into the weekend.
