Judd Sundelson etched his name into South African amateur golf history with a memorable victory in the 36-hole final of the South African Amateur Championship at Pretoria Country Club, completing a remarkable three-generation family legacy.
Sundelson defeated Germany’s Morris Schiefner 3&2 in a compelling 36-hole final, closing out the championship with back-to-back birdies to secure victory with the exact winning margin his grandfather, Neville Sundelson, used to claim the SA Amateur title in 1972.
The win carried special significance and was deeply personal for the Houghton golfer, whose father, Barry, who also reached the final in 1991, his uncle Dean, and his mom Shani and sister Ella all came out to support him.
“My grandfather passed away in July last year, and this is for him,” Sundelson said. “This win means more than I can really put into words,” Sundelson said. “My grandpa was such a huge influence on our family and on my golf. To win the same championship he did, and to do it now, is incredibly special. I felt like he was with me out there.”
The championship battle reflected the occasion, with neither player able to gain clear separation for long stretches.
Tied through the opening 18 holes, the matched remained finely balanced deep into the afternoon.
“We knew it was going to be a long day,” Sundelson said. “Morris never gave me anything, and I was four-down after four holes after a really bad start, but I got it back to all square. After 18 holes it felt like we were starting all over again. It was just about staying patient and trusting the process.”
'MOMENTUM CAN SWING QUICKLY'
Sundelson moved 2-up through 23 holes, only for Schiefner to respond by winning 24th and 27th holes, bringing the contest back to all square as the pair headed into the closing stretch.
“I was down in most of my matches going into the back nine, and played exceptionally well over the last nine holes,” Sundelson said. “I just reminded myself to stay present and focus on hitting the next shot. In match play, momentum can swing quickly.”
The next four holes were halved in a tense exchange, with both players showing composure under pressure. The decisive moment came at the par-3 14th, where Schiefner made bogey, opening the door for Sundelson. The South African capitalised in style, rolling in a birdie on the par-4 to move 2-up.
“I knew that was a big moment,” Sundelson said. “In a match like that you’re waiting for a small opening, and when it came, I knew I had to be aggressive and commit.”
Sundelson pressed home his advantage on the par-4 15th, sealing the championship with a par to close out the match 3&2 and lift one of the most prestigious trophies in South African amateur golf.
“To finish it with a birdie in a 36-hole final is something I’ll never forget,” he said. “Winning the SA Amateur at Pretoria Country Club, with my family supporting me, is honestly a dream come true. It is such a privilege. I am grateful that the University of St. Andrews and my coach, Ian Muir, gave me time off to compete in the SA Amateur. To follow in my grandfather’s footsteps is incredible.”
The victory also earned Sundelson a coveted place in the field for the 115th Investec South African Open, which will be played at Stellenbosch Golf Club, marking another major milestone in his amateur career.
Sundelson’s father said the moment carried deep meaning for the family.
“It was incredibly meaningful to watch Judd win. I feel like it exorcises my loss, because now we can talk about his victory. They say talent skips a generation,” Barry joked. “Seriously, though, to see Judd achieve this, knowing what this championship meant to my father and now what it means to him. My dad would have been immensely proud. This is one of those moments that reminds you why this game, and its history, matters so much to our family.”
Winning the SA Amateur Championship not only crowns Sundelson’s week at Pretoria Country Club but also places him alongside his grandfather and father in the tournament’s history books — a rare and poignant achievement that underscores the enduring legacy of the Sundelson family in South African golf.