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Africa Amateur Championship
South Africa’s Ivan Verster and Lisa Coetzer lead on day one of the Africa Amateur Championship and Women’s Invitational
04 Feb 26
4 mins
South Africa’s Ivan Verster leads by a shot after the opening day of the Africa Amateur Championship at a sun-soaked Royal Johannesburg.
The 22-year-old carded an impressive five-under-par round of 67 to top the leaderboard following an entertaining first day which saw some outstanding golf played on the venue’s renowned East Course. Verster, who lost out to Altin Van der Merwe in a play-off in the inaugural Championship in 2024, recorded seven birdies on Wednesday, dropping just two shots. After the first round, he was not taking his position at the top of the leaderboard for granted. He said: “It's a bit shorter than longer courses we’re used to. I wouldn't say it's easy because it's Royal Johannesburg, so it's a difficult golf course, but I played nicely. "I'm glad I'm up there, but there are still three more rounds to go so anything can happen.”Verster now prepares for round two one shot clear of fellow South African’s Charl Barnard and Jack Buchanan. Johndre Ludick is a shot further back on three-under.
South Africa’s Charl Barnard in action on day one of the Africa Amateur Championship at Royal Johannesburg.
Another South African player, Bryan Newman, was triumphant 12 months ago, winning the title at Leopard Creek and earning a place at The 153rd Open in the process.
His 2025 campaign started with a one-over-par round of 73, this coming after he carded two birdies coming down the stretch – at 16 and 18 – following a difficult start to his back nine.
Daniel Bennett, the top ranked player in the field, is a further two shots back on three-over.
Birthday birdies
Elsewhere, there was a special moment on the 16th hole when Munesu Chimhini, who celebrated his 15th birthday today and is the youngest male in the field, holed a huge putt for back-to-back birdies. This helping him on the way to a one-over round of 73.
South Africa’s Lisa Coetzer leads on day one of the Africa Amateur Women's Invitational.
Lisa Coetzer leads the Africa Amateur Women’s Invitational after a strong level-par opening round of 72.
The 15-year-old set the early pace with two birdies in her first three holes and holds a one-shot advantage over Charlotte Millard. The 20-year-old had led for much of the round but closed with a bogey on the 18th to finish on 73.
Coetzer was delighted with her first round scoring. She said: “Just to be here is just such a blessing, and to play the golf I am right now is great. My coach and I have been working towards this. I'm feeling pretty good.
"I just had one hole that messed me up a little bit, but I'm glad I could come back from that mentally. I made a couple birdies. It was a pretty good solid round and I’m looking forward to tomorrow.”
Defending champion Gia Raad carded an opening round of 76, leaving her four shots off the lead.
This year represents the third staging of the Africa Amateur Championship and Africa Amateur Women’s Invitational but marks its first year at Royal Johannesburg Golf Club having previously been played at Leopard Creek.
South Africa’s Charlotte Millard during day one
The Championship continues to provide a platform for Africa’s best amateur golfers to compete on a world class stage, celebrating excellence, diversity and the future of the game across the continent.
This year’s Africa Amateur champion will receive exemptions into The 154th Open at Royal Birkdale, The Amateur Championship, the Alfred Dunhill Championship, the Investec South African Open and the Waterfall City Tournament of Champions powered by Attacq.
The winner of the Africa Amateur Women’s Invitational will earn starts in The Women’s Amateur Championship, Final Qualifying for the AIG Women’s Open, Joburg Ladies Open, The Investec South African Women’s Open and the Waterfall City Tournament of Champions powered by Attacq.