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Du Plessis makes fairytale comeback with win in Blu Label Unlimited Challenge

golf25 October 2025 16:49
By:Michael Vlismas
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Hennie du Plessis claimed a fairytale victory in the Sunshine Tour’s Blu Label Unlimited Challenge at the Gary Player Country Club on Saturday, marking an emotional comeback to the game after 18 months on the sidelines because of injury.

Du Plessis won with a total of 49 points, adding eight points on the final day, to claim his third Sunshine Tour title but his first since a team victory with Jean Hugo in 2018.

Anthony Michael took second place on 35 points while MJ Viljoen and Yurav Premlall shared third place on 33 points.

It was a significant moment in more ways than one for Du Plessis, who has battled his way back from wrist surgery and a few complications with his rehab.

This was also his first victory since becoming a father.

“I think that’s why golf seems a little bit easier now. It’s harder to be a parent, I can tell you that. I’m only joking. It’s been a long time since my last win. This is a special one, it’s a special place. I’ve got my family here and it’s such a special moment,” said Du Plessis.

“I put in the work to get back here. This was sort of a warmup event to see where my game is at, and I’m very happy with the way I played, especially coming down the stretch. I had a few fumbles on the back nine and my caddie Zack (Rasego) just spoke to me and told me to stay focused and slow everything down.

I started seeing and hitting better shots and made a few clutch putts. I think my game is a little bit better than the last time I played.”

The tournament coincided with a 36-hole Blu Label Unlimited Ladies Challenge that took place at the Lost City Golf Course and which saw Kaiyuree Moodley claim her maiden professional title on three points, one clear of Ivanna Samu.

“It feels amazing to have my first win on tour. We’re really grateful to Blu Label for giving us a chance to play,” she said.

SCORES

49 - Hennie du Plessis 13 10 18 8

35 - Anthony Michael 8 15 5 7

33 - MJ Viljoen 9 11 4 9, Yurav Premlall 11 13 6 3

32 - Thomas Spreadborough 9 6 9 8, Christiaan Burke 1 8 15 8, Tyrone Ryan 22 7 2 1

30 - Luis Carrera 7 8 7 8

29 - Ryan Van Velzen 3 10 7 9

26 - Stals Swart 7 11 4 4

25 - Haydn Porteous 9 0 9 7, Heinrich Bruiners 6 6 9 4

24 - Pieter Moolman 7 8 3 6, James Mack 7 6 7 4, Wynand Dingle 6 2 12 4, Herman Loubser 8 4 9 3

23 - Oliver Bekker -2 10 5 10, Jaco Prinsloo 3 9 3 8

22 - Ethan Smith 11 5 0 6

21 - Pierre Viallaneix 9 5 -2 9, Lyle Rowe 9 11 3 -2, Stephen Ferreira 8 3 4 6

19 - Jacquin Hess 6 3 4 6, Keenan Davidse 13 4 -2 4, Altin van der Merwe 2 6 8 3

18 - Joe Long 4 11 -2 5

17 - CJ du Plessis 6 3 -4 12, Luke Jerling 4 5 3 5

16 - Jacques P de Villiers 3 6 3 4, Allen John 7 3 12 -6

15 - Rowan Lester 6 3 -1 7, Hennie Otto 6 3 5 1

14 - Michael Hollick 5 7 -3 5, Hayden Griffiths 2 8 3 1

13 - Benjamin Follett-Smith 7 9 -4 1, Nikhil Rama 0 8 13 -8, Jack Hawksby 3 10 3 -3

12 - JJ Senekal 4 8 -4 4, Ockie Strydom 6 9 -7 4, Trevor Fisher Jnr 3 11 0 -2, Samuel Simpson 4 4 6 -2, Benjamin Van Wyk 7 4 5 -4

11 - Stuart Krog 6 3 -3 5

10 - Ruan Conradie 4 10 4 -8, Matthew Spacey 3 8 4 -5

7 - Tyran Snyders 4 12 -4 -5, Daniel van Tonder 5 6 2 -6

6 - Ricky Hendler 4 4 3 -5

5 - Gerhard Pepler 6 4 -3 -2

4 - Justin Walters 10 3 -11 2, Austin Bautista 4 9 -3 -6

Missed the cut:-

7 - Rupert Kaminski 1 6, Robson Chinhoi 2 5, Keagan Thomas 5 2, Deon Germishuys -2 9, Hennie O'Kennedy -2 9, Jean-Paul Strydom 8 -1

6 - Jean Hugo 5 1, Neil Schietekat 6 0, Kieron van Wyk 8 -2, Mikkel Antonsen 1 5

5 - Jason Roets 1 4, Keelan van Wyk -2 7, Jonathan Broomhead 3 2, Jake Redman 2 3

4 - Warwick Purchase -3 7, Simon du Plooy -3 7, Ryan van der Klis -2 6, Rhys West -2 6

3 - Franklin Manchest 4 -1, Estiaan Conradie -1 4, Martin Vorster 4 -1, Quintin Wilsnach 2 1, Marcus Sandile Taylor 3 0

2 - Conner Mackenzie -2 4, Rourke van der Spuy 3 -1, Graham van der Merwe 0 2

1 - Xander Basson 0 1, Kyle De Beer 2 -1, Paul Boshoff 5 -4, Kyle McClatchie 8 -7, Tumelo Molloyi 0 1, Tristen Strydom 4 -3, Toto Thimba Jnr 1 0

0 - Jacques Blaauw 1 -1, Kyle Barker -1 1

-1 - Luca Filippi 0 -1, Joe Knox -3 2, Luke Brown 1 -2

-2 - Keegan Mclachlan -3 1, Otto Van Buynder -5 3

-3 - Jordan Duminy -2 -1, Doug McGuigan -1 -2

-4 - Karabo Mokoena 2 -6, Dylan Mostert -5 1

-5 - Ruan Korb 0 -5

-7 - Malcolm Mitchell 1 -8, Rhys Enoch -2 -5

-8 - George Coetzee -10 2

-13 - Merrick Bremner -7 -6

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