Nikhil Rama learnt one of the biggest lessons of his career in 2023. On Friday at the Wild Coast Sun Country Club, he plans to make it count.
On a typically windy day in this Sunbet Challenge hosted by Wild Coast Sun tournament on Thursday, Rama signed for a 68 to play his way in to a three-way tie for the lead with fellow South Africans James Mack (68) and Keagan Thomas (69) on five under par.
They are only one shot clear of the field on a golf course where that kind of lead can be quickly wiped out before you’ve even finished your bacon and eggs clubhouse breakfast.
Rama knows this. In 2023 he led the DP World Tour co-sanctioned Joburg Open after two rounds and eventually finished an impressive tied sixth in a week that meant everything for his confidence, and his experience.
“I think I’ve learned a lot from 2023 and the Joburg Open. I’ve taken a lot from that week. Trying to get myself in these positions is why we play. So, for the final round, I will just try and keep doing what I am doing and see where it takes me. I’ll just try and stay calm and patient, especially in these conditions,” he said.
With 15 top 10 finishes on the Sunshine Tour, Rama is certainly ready to turn that consistency into a victory. And he has negotiated a windy Wild Coast Sun Country Club with precision.
“It was a pretty solid round of golf. I am happy with the way I played. I hit the ball pretty well, with 16 greens in regulation. There were a couple of three-putts which I wasn’t pleased about, but it does happen, especially when the wind is pumping the way it is.
“The wind was really blowing out there. I think I was lucky enough to be on the better side of the draw, so for the first nine holes it was blowing, but not that bad. On the back nine, I held on and played solidly to birdie two of the toughest holes. I think I did well in the conditions.”
“I think I’ve learned a lot from 2023 and the Joburg Open. I’ve taken a lot from that week. Trying to get myself in these positions is why we play. So, for the final round, I will just try and keep doing what I am doing and see where it takes me. I’ll just try and stay calm and patient, especially in these conditions.”
A look at the leaderboard before the final round📊#sunbetchallengewildcoast #sunbetchallenge #greatnessbeginshere pic.twitter.com/TgxLWlxS6P
— Sunshine Tour (@Sunshine_Tour) August 27, 2026
SCORES
135 - Nikhil Rama 67 68
135 - James Mack 67 68, Keagan Thomas 66 69
136 - Jacquin Hess 69 67
136 - Ricky Hendler 67 69, Samuel Simpson 69 67, Warwick Purchase 69 67, Morris Schiefner 67 69, Liam Grehan 66 70, Stals Swart 64 72
137 - Jean Hugo 71 66
137 - Benjamin Kedochim 67 70, Kyle De Beer 69 68, Jbe' Kruger 68 69
138 - Jason Roets 68 70
138 - Jonathan Broomhead 70 68, Stuart Krog 68 70, Pieter Moolman 68 70, Graham van der Merwe 68 70
139 - Jean-Paul Strydom 71 68
139 - Wynand Dingle 71 68, Haydn Porteous 66 73, Tyran Snyders 66 73, Colin Nel 68 71, Charl Barnard 67 72, Luke Brown 69 70, Rupert Kaminski 66 73
140 - Trevor Fisher Jnr 66 74
140 - Austin Bautista 68 72, Keenan Davidse 67 73, Travis Ladner 66 74
141 - Jason Broomhead 70 71
141 - Thomas Spreadborough 70 71, Quintin Wilsnach 69 72, Ruan Korb 74 67, Conner Mackenzie 71 70,
Tyrone Ryan 73 68, Ockie Strydom 72 69, Rhys Enoch 69 72, Dillon Germshuys 69 72, Joe Sullivan 71 70, Dylan Mostert 73 68, Cole Stevens 71 70, Rhys West 69 72, Benjamin Van Wyk 69 72 142 - Rigardt Albertse 69 73
142 - Jaco Van Zyl 70 72, Christiaan Burke 72 70, Allen John 71 71, Rowan Lester 70 72, Keegan Mclachlan 71 71, Xander Basson 69 73, Matthew Spacey 70 72, Albert Venter 67 75, Ryan van der Klis 69 73, Otto Van Buynder 70 72, JJ Senekal 68 74, Matt Millar 69 73
Missed the cut
143 - Malcolm Mitchell 76 67
143 - Ethan Smith 71 72, Jordan Duminy 70 73, Carter Rowe 72 71, Ruan de Smidt 69 74, Dayne Moore 71 72
144 - Keanu Pestana 77 67
144 - MJ Viljoen 69 75, Toto Thimba Jnr 70 74, Jaden Deltel 69 75, Tomas Gana 69 75, Pierre Pellegrin 71 73
145 - Thabiso Ngcobo 71 74
145 - Thanda Mavundla 74 71, Jaco Ahlers 67 78, Herman Loubser 71 74, Oliver Goldhill 70 75
146 - Gerhard Pepler 74 72
146 - Martin Rohwer 70 76, Martin Leon 70 76, Adam Breen 66 80, Astin Arthur 69 77, Brandon Pieters 71 75
147 - Karabo Mokoena 75 72
147 - Doug McGuigan 72 75, Kyle Barker 75 72, Franklin Manchest 71 76, Hayden Griffiths 74 73, Tristan Leonard 68 79, Kian Rose 71 76, Nyasha Muyambo 72 75
148 - Lindani Ndwandwe 73 75
148 - Hennie O'Kennedy 74 74, Anthony Michael 76 72, Neil Schietekat 71 77, Ethan Govender 77 71, Dian Kruger 75 73, Rourke van der Spuy 72 76, Jacques Blaauw 71 77, Luis Carrera 68 80, Travis Procter 73 75, Simon du Plooy 74 74, Robson Chinhoi 75 73
149 - Jonathan Wilsenach 68 81
149 - Altin van der Merwe 74 75, Gustavo Silva 74 75
150 - Eric Wowor 76 74
150 - Shaydon Johnson 75 75, Vuyisani Makama 76 74, Jack Davidson 73 77, Luke Jerling 72 78
151 - Jacques Van der Merwe 76 75
152 - Alex Haindl 76 76
152 - Jordan Burnand 75 77
154 - Lyle Rowe 73 81
154 - Jacques P de Villiers 75 79, Tafadzwa Nyamukondiwa 74 80
155 - Danie Van Niekerk 82 73
155 - Shaunak Rama 80 75, Lyle Pedro 77 78
156 - Merrick Bremner 75 81
158 - Tristen Strydom 76 82
159 - Carlos Bustos 79 80
161 - Umar Davids 81 80
163 - Robert Mavundla 80 83
IMAGE: Nikhil Rama © Tyrone Winfield/Sunshine Tour