Michael Hollick ended the current Sunshine Tour season in the same way he started it with a victory in the DNi Tour Championship presented by RMB at the Blair Atholl Golf and Equestrian Estate on Sunday, and on a day when Daniel van Tonder was also crowned the winner of the Sunshine Tour Order of Merit delivered by The Courier Guy for the 2024/25 season, and Altin van der Merwe won the Fortress Rookie of the Year award.
Related: George Coetzee holds on to lead in DNi Tour Championship
Hollick closed with a sublime 64 to win on 19 under par, one clear of Jacques Kruyswijk and George Coetzee.
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“After playing sort of part-time the last two years and coaching, I’ve played really nicely for the past three or four months, so there has been progress. Sometimes you’ve just got to believe in yourself a bit. I think that’s what happened. It’s been an absolutely special year,” said Hollick, who started the season with a win in the FBC Zimbabwe Open.
Heading into the back nine of this event it was still anybody’s title as both Kruyswijk and Coetzee kept the pressure on Hollick. But Hollick held his nerve and produced a great second onto the green at the par-five 18th to set up a birdie finish and claim the title.
Hollick was not the only one celebrating on Sunday evening.
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The leading three professionals on the final Sunshine Tour Order of Merit delivered by The Courier Guy who earned their DP World Tour cards (not already exempt) are Van Tonder, Jonathan Broomhead and Yurav Premlall.
That could change with Van Tonder in a position to earn a DP World Tour card through the HotelPlanner Tour this season already, in which case his card would move to Hollick as the next highest ranked non-exempt player.
As the winner of the Order of Merit delivered by The Courier Guy, Van Tonder also receives exemptions into The Open and US PGA Championship as well as the Nedbank Golf Challenge. He also earns a R500 000 bonus, the use of a Hyundai Palisade for one year, and a seven-night international cruise worth R75 000 courtesy of MSC Cruises.
“This means a lot to me, especially after twice finishing second on the Order of Merit delivered by The Courier Guy. So to finally win it means so much to me. There are some great tournaments I can look forward to, and I’m finally going to be playing in the Nedbank Golf Challenge,” said Van Tonder.
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As the second-placed finisher on the season standings, Shaun Norris receives a R200 000 bonus and the use of a Hyundai Tucson for one year. Dylan Naidoo, the third-placed finisher, receives a R100 00 bonus and the use of a Hyundai Exter for one year.
Van der Merwe celebrated a memorable rookie season on the Sunshine Tour in which he came close to a maiden victory, and was crowned the Fortress Rookie of the Year which earned him a R200 000 bonus.
“It means everything to me. I’ve been looking forward to playing pro golf and the Sunshine Tour for the last seven years, so I could never have asked for a better first season. I’ve learnt a couple of lessons this season so I’m looking forward to next season,” said Van Der Merwe.
