Viljoen claims SDC Open in dramatic playoff

South Africa’s MJ Viljoen claimed a dramatic playoff victory in the SDC Open at the Zebula Golf Estate & Spa on Sunday, securing his first title on the HotelPlanner Tour.

Viljoen came from one shot behind at the start of the round and looked headed for a comfortable victory when he was at one point, three shots clear on the back nine. But a charging Deon Germishuys and a weather delay quickly changed that.

Germishuys birdied two of his last four holes for a 67 to set the clubhouse target at sixteen under. Viljoen came back after the delay and bogeyed his next three holes to slip one behind Germishuys. Viljoen then birdied the par five 18th for a 70 to force the playoff.

Viljoen birdied the 18th to claim the title in the playoff.

The moment MJ Viljoen won for the 4th time on the Sunshine Tour and 1st on the HotelPlanner Tour. 🏆 #SDCOpen pic.twitter.com/1Rj3079j7A
— Sunshine Tour (@Sunshine_Tour) February 1, 2026

“It’s massive. I went through a lot the last two or three years. I had some decent starts on the HotelPlanner Tour. It’s time it happened. This opens a lot of doors for me,” said Viljoen.

“It was a lot of emotions today. I threw it away a bit after the start again, but I kept believing in myself and I brought it through. I look at the leaderboard but I try not to react to it too much. Try to keep the mind clear and stay in the moment, and just play."

'I kept believing in myself.'

An emotional MJ Viljoen after claiming the #SDCOpen title 🎙️ pic.twitter.com/fsp5H2SzQ9
— HotelPlanner Tour (@HPlanner_Tour) February 1, 2026

Viljoen was very happy to share the special moment with his family.

“It’s very cool. My wife flew to Johannesburg on Friday, and it’s very nice to have them here.”

First win in 598 days. 🏆👏#SDCOpen pic.twitter.com/acs2oKKTGi
— Sunshine Tour (@Sunshine_Tour) February 1, 2026

It’s Viljoen’s fourth Sunshine Tour victory of his career, but more importantly his first on the HotelPlanner Tour which has provided a valuable pathway for South African professionals to graduate onto the DP World Tour.

Jean Hugo and Maxence Giboudot shared third place on 14 under. South Africa’s Ryan van Velzen produced an incredible closing 63, with a back nine of 29 to secure a top-five finish.

This was the first of four tournaments co-sanctioned by the Sunshine Tour and HotelPlanner Tour, with the next event set to take place at Royal Cape Golf Club this week in the CIRCA Cape Town Open.