Strand resident Deon Germishuys produced a moment of absolute magic on the first playoff hole to win the 2026 Stella Artois Players Championship at Glendower Golf Club on Sunday 25 October.

Germishuys, who began the final round five strokes behind overnight leader Cole Stevens, closed with a clinical four-under-par 68 to force a playoff at 19-under-par 269 alongside Stevens.

Dramatic final-hole playoff

Facing the swirling winds on the 18th hole in the playoff, Germishuys struck a sublime approach shot that spun back to within less than half a metre of the pin. He tapped in for a birdie, while Stevens could only manage par, sealing Germishuys’s fourth career victory on the Sunshine Tour.

“I don’t have a very good record in playoffs. I lost in one earlier this year, so I wasn’t very positive going into this playoff,” Germishuys admitted following his triumph. “As soon as the ball came off the clubface, I knew it was exactly what I wanted to do… When I saw it pitch and spin back to the hole, it was just a lot of relief. I just stuck to the basics, stayed patient and got the deal done.”

Jonathan Broomhead finished third at 18-under par (270) after shooting a final-round 67, missing the playoff by a single shot.

With the victory, Germishuys moved up to fifth place on the Courier Guy Order of Merit.

Career highlights and local roots

The Strand-based golfer has enjoyed a decorated golfing journey from his days as a standout amateur to becoming a multi-time winner on the Sunshine Tour.

Germishuys rose through the national ranks as a standout member of the GolfRSA National Squad. His amateur career was highlighted by titles at the 2016 South African Boys under-19 Championship and the 2018 South African Amateur Championship.

After turning professional in 2019, he claimed his maiden Sunshine Tour title at the 2022 Sishen Classic. He added a second title at the 2024 Limpopo Championship.

In November last year, Germishuys lifted one of the most coveted trophies in African golf when he won the South African PGA Championship.

He has represented South Africa globally, competing on the DP World Tour (European Tour) and Challenge Tour, and making his Major debut at the 2023 US Open.

His victory at Glendower marks his second title in 11 months, underscoring his position as one of South Africa’s most consistent performing professionals.

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