From 19-22 December, the island of Mauritius will be the focus of world golf as a new champion is crowned and the DP World Tour’s Opening Swing of the new season is also decided at this tournament.
The Opening Swing features the first five tournaments of the DP World Tour new season, with the AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open being the fifth and final event. It therefore offers a golden opportunity for the winner of the Opening Swing, who will earn valuable exemptions into Rolex Series events and the second phase of the DP World Tour season.
“As the title sponsor we are delighted that the global golf spotlight will be on Mauritius this week as we host another memorable AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open,” said Thierry Vallet, Founder Executive and CEO of AfrAsia Bank. “Since inception, our main aim with this tournament has been to stimulate the international status of Mauritius. The tournament’s growing influence on the golf calendar is a wonderful endorsement of the AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open as a true sporting spectacle for Mauritius.”
Frenchman Antoine Rozner returns as the winner of the AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open when it was last played at Mont Choisy Le Golf in 2022. Rozner is the most recent of four former winners of the AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open who have secured a PGA Tour card.
“It is a privilege to host some of the finest golfers on the pristine fairways of Mont Choisy Le Golf, especially as our course designer, Peter Matkovich, has been honoured as the Golf Course Designer of the Year 2024. This accolade reflects the unique design and exceptional experience our course offers. The AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open reinforces Mont Choisy’s status as a world-class golfing destination and highlights our commitment to excellence and showcasing Mauritius on the global stage,” said Vincent Hardy, CEO of Mont Choisy Group.
This year’s field also includes Germany’s Marcel Siem, a six-time DP World Tour champion and a winner this year in the Italian Open. The AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open forms a key part of his goals for the new season as he looks to continue the upturn in his career since he moved to Mauritius.
“My goal is to win twice in a season. For the past two years I’ve won once each year, so I can’t wait to have a good start to the season,” he said.
The Honourable Minister of Tourism for Mauritius, Richard Duval, stated: “We are excited to once again highlight our island's splendour to a global audience, and to have respected golfers like Marcel continue sharing how Mauritius stands as a premier destination for professional golfers. We are confident that both the professionals and their loved ones will be captivated once more by our stunning island paradise.”
The field also includes last season’s winner of the Sunshine Tour Order of Merit delivered by The Courier Guy, Ryan van Velzen, as well as South African stars Robin Williams and the top 10 players on the current Sunshine Tour Order of Merit delivered by The Courier Guy, led by Daniel van Tonder.
England’s Ross Fisher and Belgium’s Nicolas Colsaerts head to Mauritius as former European Ryder Cup players.
The young stars of the game will be represented by the current leader on the Sunshine Tour Fortress Rookie of the Year standings, Kyle de Beer, and former world No 1 amateur and now rookie professional Christo Lamprecht.
It’s a true showcase of international golf talent in what has become known as “Golf’s Most Beautiful Week”.
“As the official accommodation sponsor of the AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open, this is a week when we are privileged to showcase our portfolio of resorts and to have the professionals and their families live our promise The Art of Beautiful. We look forward to welcoming the world’s leading golfers to our hotels once again and sharing the dedication of our Beachcomber Artisans in going the extra mile to deliver unique Guest Experiences,” said Stéphane Poupinel de Valencé, CEO of Beachcomber Resorts & Hotels.
Since its inception in 2015, the AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open has quickly risen to become a highlight on the Sunshine Tour and DP World Tour calendar.
“We are extremely proud of the growth of the AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open and the important role it plays in terms of our longstanding relationship with the DP World Tour and the global pathway it offers our members. We look forward to another exciting edition this year and another incredible opportunity for the champion to further his career on the highest international stages in golf,” said Thomas Abt, Commissioner of the Sunshine Tour.
Mark Casey, Director of Tournament Business for the DP World Tour, said: “The AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open is a wonderful example of our co-sanctioning strength with the Sunshine Tour. It has grown in stature and this year’s field is another prime example of this. Mauritius is a true golf paradise and this tournament is a wonderful way to end our Opening Swing in one of the most beautiful golf settings in the world.”