In-form Brown leads FNB Eswatini Challenge

Luke Brown carried the momentum of his victory the week before and claimed the first-round lead of the FNB Eswatini Challenge played at the Ezulwini Golf & Country Club after signing for a nine-under par 63 on Thursday.

Brown, the winner of last week’s Sunbet Challenge Time Square tournament, leads by two shots over the South African quartet of Daniel Cronje, Dylan Mostert, Altin van der Merwe and Keegan Mclachlan as well as Frenchman Benjamin Kedochim on seven under par.

Brown moved up into eighth position on this season’s Courier Guy Order of Merit after ending a five-year winning drought last week, and is clearly determined to maintain that form following his round of six birdies, two eagles and just one bogey.

“It felt quite easy for me” - Luke Brown.

Round 1 leader, Brown, reflecting on his first round of the FNB Eswatini Challenge.#fnbeswatinichallenge #greatnessbeginshere #sunshinetour pic.twitter.com/Kt8kj7pSqi
— Sunshine Tour (@Sunshine_Tour) August 13, 2026

Sunshine Tour rookie Cronje, who is currently seventh on the Fortress Rookie of the Year standings, is well placed after setting the early clubhouse lead with his 65.

“Today was really nice and I played solid golf, especially from tee to green. I’ve hit a lot of fairways that gave me opportunities to attack the flags which I capitalised on today,” he said.

“The golf course is really nice. It’s great to be out here and the course is in good condition. You have to hit it really straight off the tee, and if you do that you can put yourself in good positions.”

Cronje, who finished tied for fifth in last week’s Sunbet Challenge Time Square tournament, says he’s reaping the benefit of taking some time off from the game.

“Golf has been nice the last two weeks. I took a little time off which I thought was well needed for myself. I am happy with my form at the moment and just looking to keep it going,” he said.

Let’s hear from our clubhouse leader, Daniel Cronje. He shot a near-perfect 65 in round 1 of the FNB Eswatini Challenge at Ezulwini Golf and Country Club.#fnbeswatinichallenge #greatnessbeginshere #sunshinetour pic.twitter.com/JHyMg4Ilqc
— Sunshine Tour (@Sunshine_Tour) August 13, 2026

SCORES

63 - Luke Brown

65 - Daniel Cronje

65 - Benjamin Kedochim, Dylan Mostert, Altin van der Merwe, Keegan Mclachlan

66 - Jacques Blaauw

66 - Charl Barnard, Rupert Kaminski, Rhys Enoch

67 - Austin Bautista

67 - Jaco Prinsloo, Callum Bruce, Greg Snow, Tomas Gana, Lyle Pedro, Xander Basson

68 - Martin Rohwer

68 - Jack Davidson, Tristen Strydom, Joe Sullivan, Tristan Leonard, Pierre Pellegrin, Luke Jerling, Matthew Spacey, Wynand Dingle, Jean Hugo

69 - Benjamin Van Wyk

69 - Allen John, Jaco Ahlers, Luis Carrera, Pierre Viallaneix, Astin Arthur, Graham van der Merwe, Jacques P de Villiers, Kyle De Beer, Dayne Moore, Vuyisani Makama, Thanda Mavundla, Malcolm Mitchell, Pieter Moolman, Jaco Van Zyl, Warwick Purchase, Herman Loubser, Christiaan Burke, Gabriel Morgan

70 - Simon du Plooy

70 - Jason Roets, Cole Stevens, Travis Procter, Tyran Snyders, Tyrone Ryan, Jacques Van der Merwe, Jonathan Broomhead, Conner Mackenzie, Carlos Bustos, Ruan de Smidt, Musiwalo Nethunzwi, Keanu Pestana

71 - Otto Van Buynder

71 - Oliver Goldhill, Stals Swart, Toto Thimba Jnr, Nikhil Rama, Estiaan Conradie, Franklin Manchest, JJ Senekal, Samuel Simpson, Ethan Smith, Shaydon Johnson, Agustin Errazuriz, Jean-Paul Strydom, Gerhard Pepler, Stuart Krog, Quintin Wilsnach, Keenan Davidse, Adam Breen, Martin Leon

72 - Carter Rowe

72 - Haydn Porteous, Neil Schietekat, Matt Millar, Kian Rose, Travis Ladner, Gustavo Silva, Rigardt Albertse, Hennie O'Kennedy, Jbe Kruger, Ruan Korb, James Mack, Jordan Burnand

73 - Tafadzwa Nyamukondiwa

73 - Ricky Hendler, Trevor Fisher Jnr, Keagan Thomas, Albert Venter, Brandon-Jude Rennie, Dian Kruger, Jaden Deltel, Merrick Bremner, Kyle Barker, Tumelo Molloyi, Makhetha Mazibuko, Karabo Mokoena

74 - Liam Grehan

74 - Shaunak Rama, Hayden Griffiths, Jacquin Hess, Austin Mabaso

75 - Dillon Germshuys

75 - Sifiso Vilane, Thomas Spreadborough, Rhys West, Ryan van der Klis, Njoroge Kibugu, Thabiso Ngcobo

76 - Darlington Chikayambidze

76 - Allister de Kock

77 - Rowan Lester

77 - Robson Chinhoi, Mandla Dlamini Jnr

78 - Brett Cutting

78 - Cosmas Mufaya

79 - Jabulani Vilakati

79 - Marcus Sandile Taylor, Janco Vogel, Dumisa Gama, Machawe Maziya