By 
By GolfRSA
4 February 2026 – South Africa’s Ivan Verster leads the 2026 Africa Amateur Championship by a single shot, while compatriot Lisa Coetzer set the early pace in the Africa Amateur Women’s Invitational after a strong level-par opening round of 72 on a sun-soaked day at Royal Johannesburg.
Verster carded an impressive five-under-par 67 to top the leader board after an entertaining first day that showcased outstanding golf on the venue’s renowned East Course.
The 22-year-old Southern Cape golfer, who lost out to Altin van der Merwe in a play-off at the inaugural Championship in 2024, fired seven birdies to offset two dropped shots.
“It’s a bit shorter than some of the longer courses we’re used to, but I wouldn’t say it’s easy,” said Verster. “It’s Royal Johannesburg, so it’s a difficult golf course, but I played nicely. I’m glad I’m up there, but there are still three more rounds to go, so anything can happen.”
Former SA Amateur champion Charl Barnard and Jack Buchanan share second place on four-under, while Johndre Ludick, who tied for fifth last year, sits a further shot back.
Defending champion Bryan Newman closed with birdies on the 16th and 18th to sign for a one-over-par 73 and is joint 19th alongside Uganda’s Joseph Cwinyaai, Kenya’s Adel Babala, and the youngest male in the field, Muneso Chimhini. The Zimbabwean teenager celebrated his 15th birthday in style, highlighted by back-to-back birdies on holes 15 and 16.
Fellow GolfRSA National Squad member Daniel Bennett, the top-ranked player in the field, is a further two shots back on three-over par.
Meanwhile, Coetzer set the early pace in the women’s field with two birdies in her opening three holes and recovered well from dropped shots after the turn, rolling in a trio of birdies on the 13th, 14th and 18th to take the first-round lead.
The 15-year-old Ekurhuleni amateur holds a one-shot advantage over Charlotte Millard and will start the second round two strokes clear of Lourenda Steyn.
“Just to be here is such a blessing, and to be playing the golf I am right now is great,” said Coetzer, who currently holds the number one position on the GolfRSA Open and Junior Rankings. “My coach and I have been working towards this, and I’m feeling pretty good. I had one hole that messed me up a little, but I was glad I could come back mentally. I made a couple of birdies, so it was a solid round and I’m really looking forward to tomorrow.”
Bobbi Brown finished alone in fourth on three-over, while defending champion Gia Raad carded an opening round of 76 and is four shots off the lead, tied for fifth with Kenya’s Bianca Ngecu and Zimbabwe’s Miriam Masiya.
The Africa Amateur champion will earn exemptions into The 154th Open at Royal Birkdale, The Amateur Championship, the Alfred Dunhill Championship, the Investec South African Open and the Waterfall City Tournament of Champions powered by Attacq.
The winner of the Africa Amateur Women’s Invitational will receive starts in The Women’s Amateur Championship, Final Qualifying for the AIG Women’s Open, the Joburg Ladies Open, the Investec South African Women’s Open and the Waterfall City Tournament of Champions powered by Attacq.
ABOUT THE CHAMPIONSHIPS
The two championships provide an incredible platform for Africa’s best amateur golfers to compete on a world class stage, celebrating excellence, diversity and the future of the game across the continent.
For more information on the Africa Amateur Championship and Africa Amateur Women’s Invitational, including competing players, please visit www.randa.org.
SCORING:
MEN – https://www.randa.org/championships/africa-amateur-championship-leaderboard
WOMEN – https://www.randa.org/championships/africa-amateur-womens-invitational-leaderboard
