SA young guns hoping to finish year strong in Afrasia Bank Mauritius Open

The AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open, to be played at Mont Choisy Le Golf in Grand Baie, Mauritius, from 19-22 December, forms part of the DP World Tour’s “Opening Swing” for the new 2025 season and as such represents a key opportunity for Robin Williams to make a fast start to his DP World Tour career.

The 23-year-old secured his DP World Tour card for the next season through the Sunshine Tour, and amidst what has been a phenomenal rise through the ranks in only his second season on the Tour.

From being crowned the Fortress Rookie of the Year on the Sunshine Tour last season, Williams is now a two-time winner on the Sunshine Tour and has impressed in a few tournaments on the DP World Tour.

His form has caught the eye of even Gary Player, who has taken the young golfer under his wing.

The next step for Williams would be a breakthrough win in a Sunshine Tour and DP World Tour co-sanctioned event, with the Mauritius Open offering that opportunity.

“To be in this situation where I am now and competing against some big names on the big stages is mind blowing. I would never have believed it at the start of the year. I’ll just keep going, keep my head down and work hard,” said Williams.

YOUNG STARS READY TO SHINE 

Around him are several other young stars equally poised for a big week in Mauritius.

The 21-year-old Yurav Premlall has already broken through with his maiden Sunshine Tour victory this year, and is just as ready to take the step up with a possible DP World Tour triumph.

The Mauritius Open will also offer him an opportunity to consolidate his current third place on the Sunshine Tour Order of Merit delivered by The Courier Guy which, if he can remain there by the end of the season, will earn him a DP World Tour card.

“I’ve put myself in a good position on the Sunshine Tour and I don’t want to lose sight of what my goal was this year. The Sunshine Tour is a great platform to get onto the DP World Tour, so I’ll focus on that and hopefully get that job done,” he said.

Both Williams and Premlall will be making their second appearances in the Mauritius Open.

South Africa’s Jonathan Broomhead will head to Mauritius amidst what has been a very successful year for him.

The 23-year-old is a two-time winner on the Sunshine Tour this year already and currently in second place on the Sunshine Tour Order of Merit as he also chases that top-three season finish and a chance to compete on the DP World Tour.

And 23-year-old Nikhil Rama will be playing in his third Mauritius Open having already experienced what it means to challenge in a co-sanctioned event when he led going into the weekend of the 2023 Joburg Open.

“I know I’m close and I know I can compete. It’s just a week that needs to go my way and I know that will come,” he said.

Rama is also just as aware of the fact that he’s one of a young breed of professionals who could all turn a week in paradise in Mauritius into a life-changing week for their careers.

“Definitely. Yurav was knocking for a long time and I’m really happy he got the win now. I played with Jonathan as an amateur and he’s always been a top-class golfer. So I just need to keep pushing because I believe in myself. The co-sanctioned tournaments will be an important next step for me,” he said.