The 2026 Road to Mallorca gets under way in South Africa next week, with four co-sanctioned events with the Sunshine Tour. Ahead of the season-opening SDC Open, we take a look back at who triumphed in the Rainbow Nation 12 months ago…
Van Tonder at the double
South African Daniel Van Tonder stole the headlines in the opening two events of the season with back-to-back wins, coming at the SDC Open and MyGolfLife Open hosted by Pecanwood Estate.
Following two victories on the Sunshine Tour to start the season, Van Tonder sealed his first HotelPlanner Tour title after a sensational back-nine fightback on the final day. The 34-year-old finished birdie-birdie-birdie-birdie to force a play-off with overnight leader, Altin van der Merwe, before coming out on top on the first extra hole at Zebula Golf Estate & Spa.
Van Tonder’s second win came the very next week, in the MyGolfLife Open hosted by Pecanwood Estate, as he continued his blistering start to the season. Having set the pace on day one, Van Tonder remained out in front throughout to seal a wire-to-wire victory on home soil. His two victories in the opening two events all-but secured his promotion to the DP World Tour by the middle of February.
Rutherford reigns in Cape Town
Jamie Rutherford clinched a maiden HotelPlanner Tour win with victory in the Cell C Cape Town Open in association with Honor. The Englishman carded rounds of 69-69 over the opening two days, before a five under par 67 saw him move into a share of the lead with 18 holes to play. A three under par 69 on the final day secured a breakthrough victory in The Mother City.
Nienaber earns dominant victory in George
Wilco Nienaber stormed to a second HotelPlanner Tour title with a comfortable seven stroke victory in the NTT DATA Pro Am. The South African opened with a sensational 12 under par 60 on day one and never looked back. Successive rounds of 66 followed, which saw him hold a six shot lead with 18 to play, with his Sunday round of 70 more than enough to secure victory, as he ended the week on 27 under par.
The HotelPlanner Tour start in South Africa for a sixth time, with a return to Zebula Golf Estate & Spa in Limpopo from January 29–February 1 for the SDC Open, before a trip to the historic Royal Cape Golf Club for the CIRCA Cape Town Open.
The NTT DATA Pro-Am returns to George and Fancourt Golf Estate before the final stop of the South African swing takes the HotelPlanner Tour to Durban for the first time since 2022, for the Jonsson Workwear Open, which will take place at Durban Country Club from February 19-22.
