Former English Amateur champion Joe Sullivan came close to an historic 59 in the inaugural Rwanda Open as he surged into the lead of this Sunshine Tour event on Friday. Sullivan claimed the lead with a magnificent round of 12-under-par 60 at the Kigali Golf Resort and Villas, lifting him to 15 under par overall and one shot clear of Estiaan Conradie. Conradie moved into contention with his round of 64.
First-round co-leader Travis Procter and Kyle de Beer head into the weekend in joint third place on 13 under par. Sullivan’s bogey-free round of 60 was a stunning mix of his powerful long game combined with a short game that was equally impressive as he made two eagles and eight birdies. “I made eagle on the ninth hole to turn in six under and then went on a nice little run from the 10th hole to the 12th hole. I was thinking about a 59 in the back of my head and we got close. The chip-in on the ninth hole for eagle was the highlight of the round as that just boosted my momentum,” Sullivan said.
After winning the 2025 Big Easy Tour’s Order of Merit, Sullivan is in his rookie season on the Sunshine Tour and says this round was exactly what he needed. “It gives me a lot of confidence. I think I have a lot of potential but I haven’t quite played up to it so far this season. It’s been a bit of a slow start for me, but I am enjoying every week as it comes and I know I am going forward from here.”
And he’s certainly enjoying being in the Land of a Thousand Hills for the first time. “It’s a lovely golf course, and being in Rwanda for the first time I am very impressed. I am very happy to be in contention, but there is still a lot of golf left so I need to stay patient the next couple of days. I am however very happy with my performance the last two days and I will keep pushing.”
Scores
129 - Joe Sullivan 69 60
130 - Estiaan Conradie 66 64
131 - Kyle De Beer 66 65
131 - Travis Procter 63 68
132 - Tyran Snyders 68 64
132 - Rupert Kaminski 67 65, Altin van der Merwe 65 67, Cole Stevens 67 65
133 - Nikhil Rama 63 70
133 - Oliver Goldhill 69 64, Daniel Cronje 66 67, Jason Roets 65 68, Graham van der Merwe 64 69, Tristen Strydom 67 66, Ricky Hendler 66 67, Ryan van der Klis 65 68, Pierre Pellegrin 69 64
134 - Warwick Purchase 70 64
134 - Benjamin Kedochim 67 67, Hennie O'Kennedy 69 65, Greg Snow 68 66
135 - Allen John 67 68
135 - Stals Swart 68 67, Robson Chinhoi 69 66, Jordan Burnand 66 69, Toto Thimba Jnr 68 67
136 - Jean-Paul Strydom 69 67
136 - Luke Jerling 68 68
137 - Kyle Barker 69 68
137 - Thomas Spreadborough 67 70, Travis Ladner 68 69, Conner Mackenzie 69 68, Rigardt Albertse 70 67, Max Orgovanyi 67 70, Adel Balala 68 69, Gaita Tadeo Rodell 69 68, Austin Bautista 70 67, Celestin Nsanzuwera 68 69
138 - Martin Leon 71 67
138 - Dusabe Felix 71 67, Jaden Deltel 65 73, Karabo Mokoena 69 69, Rowan Lester 68 70, James Mack 68 70, Jean Baptiste Hakizimana 69 69, Ethan Smith 71 67, Quintin Wilsnach 71 67, Tristan Leonard 71 67, Kian Rose 71 67, Adam Breen 72 66
139 - Dillon Germshuys 69 70
139 - Neil Schietekat 70 69, Otto Van Buynder 72 67, Lyle Rowe 70 69, Keenan Davidse 72 67, Jacques P de Villiers 68 71
140 - Willy Deus Kitata 71 69
140 - Shaunak Rama 70 70, Wynand Dingle 70 70, Jastas Madoya Asena 69 71, Simon du Plooy 72 68, Liam Grehan 72 68, Keegan Mclachlan 69 71, Kasango Grace 71 69, Njoroge Kibugu 72 68, Ruan Korb 68 72, Pierre Viallaneix 68 72
Missed the cut:-
141 - Callum Bruce 71 70
141 - Abraham Ainamani 71 70, David Kamulindwa 73 68, Jean Hitayezu D'amour 69 72, Godwin Okoko 71 70, Ronald Rugumayo 68 73
142 - Ernest Ndayisenga 72 70
142 - Astin Arthur 73 69, Charl Barnard 69 73, Keanu Pestana 72 70, Gift Willy 70 72
143 - Niyonkuru Alain 75 68
143 - Carter Rowe 72 71, Andrew Odoh 73 70, Marvin Kibirige 73 70, Nuru Mollel 73 70, Paul Adam Chidale 72 71, Keagan Thomas 74 69, Jacques Blaauw 68 75, Phillip Kasozi 72 71
144 - Vuyisani Makama 72 72
144 - Matt Millar 74 70, Bradley Kulaisi 77 67, Dayne Moore 72 72, Morris Schiefner 72 72
145 - Taimur Malik 72 73
146 - Nsabimana Aloys 76 70
148 - Dismas Indiza 70 78
148 - David Wakhu 74 74, Daniel Nduva 70 78
149 - Abbey Bagalana 74 75
149 - Dylan Mostert 72 77, Dennis Anguyo 75 74
150 - Mutahi Kibugu 78 72
150 - Kato Davis 77 73, Olivier Munyaneza 78 72
151 - Jules Dusabe 77 74
151 - Otile Ronald 74 77, Jacques Byiringiro 73 78, Emile Nshimyumuremyi 75 76
152 - Dennis Saikwa 74 78
153 - Francois Habimana 79 74
156 - Nelson Mudanyi 86 70
157 - Maniraguha Adam 77 80
158 - Bagalana Hussein 74 84
RTD - Pieter Moolman RTD RTD