While the circuit has had different names and title sponsorships over the years, the Sunshine Tour as we know it was founded in 1971. This month we highlight the 10 golfers
with the most wins since then

While the circuit has had different names and title sponsorships over the years, the Sunshine Tour as we know it was founded in 1971. This month
we highlight the 10 golfers
with the most wins
​​​​​​​since then

Although historians are quick to point out that the likes of Gary Player, Sid Brews and Bobby Locke won more times in South Africa before 1971, a recent win means Hugo has been winning for 27 years, testimony to his longevity. His victories included some of the country's most important tournaments, and Hugo was part of the generation that helped establish South African professional golf as a serious force. His career also had an international dimension, but it was on home soil that he made his greatest mark.

Winning period: 1999-2026

His victories began with the 1970 Transvaal Open and culminated in the 1991 Tour Championship. He won the South African PGA Championship in 1977, famously beating Gary Player, and won the SA Masters in 1988. But Bland's significance went beyond his victories. He won the SA Tour Order of Merit four times – in 1977-78, 1987-88, 1989-90 and 1990-91 – a supreme achievement given the strength of the era. He later extended his career internationally, winning twice on the European Tour and five times on the Champions Tour. Died in 2023 at the age of 77.

Winning period: 1977-1991

Turning professional in 1994, he claimed his first title in 1997 and went on to win the Sunshine Tour Order of Merit twice, in 1999/2000 and 2003/04. Has won in four successive decades. Among the highlights were two Tour Championships, the Dimension Data Pro-Am and the Eye of Africa PGA Championship. He could have added to his 18 wins, but was beaten three times in playoffs. Fichardt has also been a regular presence on the international stage, winning five times on the DP World Tour and representing South Africa in the 2000 World Cup.

Winning period: 1997-2020

Along with McNulty, one of the most accomplished Zimbabwean golfers to play on the Sunshine Tour. His breakthrough came in 1984 when he won the South African Open, followed a week later by the SA Charity Classic, and later that year the South African Masters. Johnstone won the Order of Merit twice, in 1988/89 and 1993/94. His international reputation was highlighted by his win in the 1992 British PGA Championship. One of the finest bunker players ever seen in South Africa, he was also recognised for a pre-shot routine! Later became one of the voices of golf.

Winning period: 1984-1998

A teenage prodigy who has gone on to become of the greats. His first big home triumph came in the 1992 South African Open, one of six Sunshine Tour victories he collected that year. He went on to win the South African Open five times, along with three South African PGA Championships and the South African Masters. But Els' importance to South African golf was measured far beyond his local victories. 'The Big Easy' won four Majors, became world No1 and a global ambassador for South African golf. Has also raised huge amounts of money through his Els 4 Autism charities.

Winning period: 1992-2010

A Pretoria product who turned professional in 2007, he announced himself at the Vodacom Origins of Golf at Selborne and went on to become a five-time winner of that series. His career reached another level in the mid-2010s. Coetzee won the Joburg Open in 2014 and the Tshwane Open in 2015, the latter year bringing his first Sunshine Tour Order of Merit title. He won the Tshwane Open again in 2018 and also claimed the Order of Merit for a second time that season. His last Sunshine Tour win came at the 2025 Serengeti Playoffs.

Winning period: 2007-2025

After taking his first title at the 2005 Platinum Classic, he established himself as one of the leading South African professionals of his generation. His most prolific period came in 2010, when he won four times on the Sunshine Tour and was voted the Tour's Players' Player of the Year. His 2013 season was another standout, producing three wins – the Dimension Data Pro-Am, Telkom PGA Championship and Investec Cup. He also won the Eye of Africa PGA Championship three times. Van Zyl represented South Africa at the 2016 Rio Olympics and reached the world's top 50.

Winning period: 2005-2022

His 14 victories only partly capture the impact he made on South African golf. He turned professional in 1970 and won the Bert Hagerman Invitational on his 19th birthday in 1971. He went on to top the Order of Merit in 1972/73 and claimed the SA Open and three South African PGA Championships. Hayes won the Spanish Open at just 18 years and 290 days, and was European Tour Order of Merit winner in 1975. His later contribution as a broadcaster and ambassador made him one of the most recognisable and influential figures in South African golf history.

Winning period: 1971-1978

A Boksburg-born no-nonsense player who turned pro in 1998, Otto won three times during the 2002/03 season. His defining home victory came in the 2011 SA Open. Otto won the Italian Open twice, in 2008 and 2014, and finished tied 10th in the 2003 Open Championship. Yet it was his longevity on the Sunshine Tour that defined him, although his fiery temper also attracted headlines. More than two decades after his first victory, Otto claimed his 14th title at the 2023 SunBet Challenge at Gary Player Country Club, winning a playoff against Hayden Griffiths.

Winning period: 1999-2023

LUKE WALKER | Tyrone Winfield Shaun Roy/Sunshine Tour | Pauline van Till