Staff WriterMichael Hollick delivered a masterclass in patience, precision, and a touch of swagger to win the FNB Eswatini Challenge at Ezulwini Golf & Country Club on Saturday, clinching his fourth Sunshine Tour title by two shots.
The 36-year-old South African, who led from the front going into the final round, closed with a composed 68 to finish at 16-under-par.
It wasn’t just a big day for Hollick – his long-time caddie, Clavie Taderera, also had his moment in the spotlight, picking up a Sunshine Tour caddie medal at the prizegiving.
Hollick, who ended last season with a win at the Courier Guy DNi Tour Championship, wasted no time laying down his intentions.
Back-to-back birdies on the opening two holes set the tone, and further gains on the front nine had him cruising.
An eagle early on the back nine all but sealed it, though a double bogey at the par-three 14th briefly threatened to make things interesting.
“My gameplan was the same – try and get the ball in the fairway and don’t try and overpower this golf course,” Hollick explained. “It is a short course and a scoreable one, but it still requires a lot of tactics and placing your ball in the right areas.”
If there was a secret weapon, it was his ruthless efficiency on the par fives. Hollick played them in a staggering 11-under for the week.
“The par fives give you a lot of opportunities around here and when you have a lot of iron shots into the par fives you can make a score,” he said.
Pieter Moolman (69) and Herman Lobser (64) shared second place at 14-under, while Paul Boshoff (66) and Germany’s Allen John (70) tied for fourth at 13-under.
For Hollick, the FNB Eswatini Challenge wasn’t just another notch on his Sunshine Tour belt – it was proof that smart golf still wins tournaments.
And in a game increasingly obsessed with distance, that’s a reminder worth celebrating.
