GOLFRSA SQUAD WATCH
Eyes on the
PRIZE
Ambition and an all-encompassing love of the game continue to drive this young star
Christiaan Maas’ all-encompassing love for the game is also to the benefit of those who have the privilege of watching him
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By Clinton van der Berg
Even as a youngster swinging clubs in Pretoria, Christiaan Maas wasn’t just dreaming of becoming a professional golfer, he was visualising the John Deere tractor he’d buy after winning The Open Championship, inspired by Louis Oosthuizen’s famous post-victory purchase in 2010.
Now 21, Maas is South Africa’s highest-ranked amateur golfer, sitting at No 9 in the World Amateur Golf Rankings and the only South African in the top 50. His rise has been as relentless as it has been impressive.
Maas’ early career was marked by dominance: a wire-to-wire win at the 2019 Dimension Data Junior Open, club champion at Pretoria Country Club, and a place in the GolfRSA National Squad. By 18, he was the SA Amateur champion, already eyeing the global stage.
The former Affies schoolboy’s international breakthrough came in May 2022 with a commanding five-shot win at the Brabazon Trophy in England. Overawed at first by the Saunton links, Maas responded with four consecutive sub-par rounds; still his proudest moment.
‘I’ve been very fortunate at Texas, which has a big alumni and people in the athletic department who make things happen’
QUICK Q&A
What’s the most interesting food you’ve eaten in the US?
I can’t remember what I ate last night! But, no, I’m very conservative with my food. If I don’t like it, I won’t put it in my mouth, although a while ago I tasted tofu chicken, which was terrible.
Have you taught the Americans how to braai?
For sure. Two of my coaches have been to South Africa, so they know.
What’s the first thing you do when you visit South Africa?
See my girlfriend, who’s at Tuks.
How do you spend your downtime?
On the golf course. It’s true – there’s nothing else I want to do. Or I might watch golf on YouTube.
What’s the best course you’ve played?
Cypress Point. I also played Augusta, which is a whole different level of awesomeness.
Gallery below
In 2023, Maas began to blur the lines between amateur and professional, earning a spot on the Fred Haskins Award watch list and collecting accolades with the University of Texas where he began in the 2022-23 season. There, he has forged strong bonds with elite teammates like Tommy Morrison and Luke Potter, forming a trio as competitive on the course as they are close off it, helped no doubt by also being college roommates.
‘It’s been unbelievable, all the places I’ve seen,’ he says from a regional event in Las Vegas when he spoke to The GolfMag. ‘I’ve been very fortunate at Texas, which has a big alumni and people in the athletic department who make things happen. They do everything, walking with us every step of the way.’
He is completing his third year at Texas, pursuing a sports management degree with a business minor. Golf, he jokes, might be harder than school.
‘It’s all online with an open book,’ he quips.
He’s in fine company with other Texas Longhorns. Among the university’s alumni are multiple Major winners Jordan Spieth, Scottie Scheffler and Ben Crenshaw, and SA’s Dylan Frittelli.
Whether caddying for friends, or chasing his own dreams, Maas lives the game with fierce dedication
By early 2024, Maas had compiled a stellar college season: two top-fives, three top-10s, and a 69.73 stroke average. Earlier this year, he also claimed his second Freddie Tait Cup at the SA Open, nearly becoming the first amateur winner of the event since 1959. He finished fourth overall, his only adversary the weather.
‘It’s a massive honour, but I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t gutted. I really felt I could’ve won it.’
He credits GolfRSA’s international tours for sharpening his edge and instilling belief. Whether caddying for friends like Aldrich Potgieter and then Christo Lamprecht, who both won The Amateur Championship, or chasing his own dreams, Maas lives the game with fierce dedication.
Of his time in the US, he loves the experience. ‘Everything is a lot bigger, especially in Texas. But you get used to it quickly. I get to use the best facilities every day. The university is incredible with an amazing support system.
TROPHY TIME
See how the South African conquered Saunton Golf Club to claim a five-shot victory and lift the Brabazon Trophy in 2022.
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Gallery below
‘The courses here have a lot more space, and are much longer. Every course is championship level. The greens are quick and firm. The par threes and fives are very long, with most par threes 200-plus yards, so it’s completely different. I’ve always been good with my long-irons, but I’ve needed to drive the ball better.’
Asked what part of his game needs the most work, he’s candid: ‘Always my driving... I’m too up and down. Irons and my short game are my strength; I’m very confident with the irons.’
Medium term, Maas is setting his sights on the PGA Tour University (PGA U) programme, a system that ranks top college seniors and offers direct pathways to the PGA Tour, Korn Ferry Tour and PGA Tour Americas. ‘I’ll be up for that this time next year.’
And his goal? ‘Play all the tournaments and hopefully get to No 1.’
Who knows, perhaps get to buy that tractor too.
UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS/ERNEST BLIGNAULT/GOLFRSA/CARL FOURIE/SUNSHINE TOUR/OCTAVIO PASSOS/R&A VIA GETTY IMAGES
