8 February 2025, Leopard Creek, South Africa: Bryan Newman of South Africa won the Africa Amateur Championship at Leopard Creek today after cruising to a two-shot victory over Zimbabwe’s Keegan Shutt.

Thanks to his victory in the second staging of the championship Newman earns an exemption into The 153rd Open at Royal Portrush as well as places in The Amateur Championship, the Alfred Dunhill Championship, The Investec South African Open and the Waterfall City Tournament of Champions powered by Attacq.

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The 17-year-old began the day with a five-shot lead over compatriot Roelof Craig and knew that someone from the chasing pack would have to make a serious run to challenge him.

A dropped shot at the 3rd opened the door a little to Newman’s rivals but a birdie three at the 6th helped steady the nerves before another shot was lost at the 9th.

Newman moved up a gear with a 20ft birdie putt at the 10th and another birdie at the 13th gave him a cushion which meant he could afford bogeys at the 16th and 17th. Newman laid up his second shot at the 18th and played a safe approach over the water to the left side of the green leaving himself a comfortable two putts to claim the Africa Amateur trophy with an eight-under-par total of 280.

Newman said, “It feels really amazing. It's so special. To do it here at Leopard Creek makes it even more special.

“I definitely felt nervous down the last but I was just trying to make a lot of pars out there, which I did. I made a couple of mistakes down the stretch but luckily I had enough of a cushion.

“(On being exempt for The Open) Yeah, it's really exciting. I can't wait and I’m really looking forward to it.

“It's just such a privilege playing here at Leopard Creek, definitely the best course in South Africa, maybe in Africa as well, but it's also special playing with all the other players around.”

Shutt was two shots to the good by the 7th tee but a costly triple-bogey on the par-3 checked his momentum. Shutt kept up the chase with four birdies on the back nine but he had left himself with too much to do and his six-under-par total left him in second place.

A disappointed Shutt said, “A little bit of disappointment. I don't think I'm going to forget that triple on the 7th for a while. I think that's where I lost today. I'm very happy the way I fought back these last two days. I think I played very good golf. Apart from 7, I played really well the last two days and you never know. It could have gone another way if I had made par or even bogey. Anyways, it's golf, it happens.

“Well done to Bryan. I tried to make a late charge on him. I came in with some birdies but he managed to hold it together and he finished strong. Really well done to him.”

Craig was two-under for the day at the turn and threatening to rein in the leader but a bogey at the 10th and a double-bogey at the 11th ended his hopes. He gave it one last shot when he went for the green with his second shot at the 18th but found the water and could only finish with a bogey-six. Craig was later administered a two-shot penalty for brushing the sand in a bunker on his back swing at the 12th and finished at two-under-par for the championship.

South African Charl Barnard carded a one-over-par 73 to finish in fourth position on one-under-par.

Set against the stunning backdrop of the Kruger National Park, the Africa Amateur Championship provides a world-class platform for the region’s rising talent to compete on the international stage.

Rolex is an event partner of the Africa Amateur Championship and is committed to supporting The R&A’s professional and amateur championships. The Swiss watchmaker’s contribution to excellence in golf is based on a rich heritage stretching back almost 60 years, forged through pivotal partnerships at every level of the game, from the sport’s leading professional and amateur competitions and organisations, to players at the pinnacle of their discipline and younger talents embarking on their journey towards greatness.