By Michael Vlismas.
The 10th edition of the AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open will be a gathering of former champions at Mont Choisy Le Golf this December, with three past winners looking to make history in this Sunshine Tour and DP World Tour co-sanctioned event.
South Africa’s Jayden Schaper returns as the defending champion following his thrilling victory last year at La Réserve Golf Links, where he chipped in to beat American Ryan Gerard in a playoff.
He will be joined by England’s John Parry and Frenchman Antoine Rozner, who both won their titles at Mont Choisy Le Golf in 2024 and 2022 respectively.
All three will seek to become the tournament’s first multiple champion.
The French challenge is also bolstered by the addition of Adrien Saddier, a winner on the DP World Tour this season.
For Schaper in particular, his return to Mauritius will also be the first time in his professional career that he defends a title, and he’s looking forward to the challenge.
“It’s a first in my professional career, and it’s at a place I really love. I’ve got my family coming with me again. It’s always a nice week in Mauritius. I’m looking forward to getting there and the memories of winning last year, and just playing golf again in Mauritius,” he said.
The victory in Mauritius helped launch Schaper’s international career as he’s competed mainly on the DP World Tour this season, and is on track to securing a PGA Tour card for next season.
And the memory of that playoff victory and the shot he hit to win is something he goes back to often.
“There are moments when I’m out on tour and I have a bad day, and then I sit back and realise what’s happened this season. It helps to keep that positive mindset. I often scroll back on my Instagram to see those shots and those moments again. That’s what you practice for – for those moments to be in that position to win a tournament. I like going back to remind myself what I’ve done.”
The field for this year’s AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open promises to be one of the strongest in the history of this event, and also includes multiple DP World Tour winners Casey Jarvis, Thriston Lawrence, Branden Grace and Dean Burmester from South Africa, and rising American star and LIV Golf’s youngest champion Michael LaSasso.