Carl Myburgh shot 141 (-1) to beat the defending champion, Corné Olivier, by two strokes and win the 2025 Mbombela Open on Sunday, August 3.

The tournament was played over 36 holes at Mbombela Golf Club.

Olivier shot a superb 67 (-4) in the morning round to lead Myburgh by four strokes. The defending champ’s first round included five birdies, and an eagle on the 325m par-four 12th.

Myburgh signed for a 71 (level par) in the morning round.

Interestingly, both players started off with a double-bogey on the first hole.

Rikus Nel was in third place at the halfway mark with a 73 (+2), and Gama Dumisa was in fourth on 74 (+3).

Olivier looked set to win the title for the second consecutive year, with Myburgh as his only realistic competition.

When the pressure was on in the afternoon round, it was Olivier who stuttered – very early.

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A triple-bogey on the first put a serious dent in his quest to lift the trophy again. The rest of his round did not get any better, with three birdies, nine pars and five bogeys.

Myburgh also got off to a poor start in the second round with two consecutive bogeys. Then something clicked and he was relentless under pressure for the rest of the afternoon round, shooting 13 pars and three birdies. He carded 70 (-1).

He knew he was in with a good chance with Olivier still out on the course.

Olivier shot a second round 76 (+5) and Myburgh was the 2025 Mbombela Open champion.

Reginald Mkhonto followed up his 75 in the first round with a 73 in his second to finish third with a tournament total of 148 (+6).

George Wolhuter shot 75 and 73 for 148 (+6) and fourth place.

A second round 78 took Dumisa to a tournament total of 152 (+10) and fifth place, and Eddie Wilken’s second round of 78 gave him sixth place on 155 (+13).

Nel’s second round scorecard read 82; his total of 155 (+13) put him in seventh place.

Myburgh won the Mbombela Golf Club Championship in March.

The youngest player in the open, 15-year-old Mthabisi Thwala, finished in 39th place on 186 (+44).

The rest of the top 10 were:
• 8th: Christoffel Esterhuizen – 158 (+16)
• 9th: Janneman Combrink – 158 (+16)
• 10th: Dino Thobela – 159 (+17).
All day nett top three:
• 1: Gama Dimisa -136
• 2: Carl Myburgh – 139
• 3: Ruan Fermor – 143.