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Cole Stevens: Image Credit - Bushveld Tour

COLE Stevens entered the Race to Sunshine Tour Qualifying School winners’ circle with a play-off victory over Ryan Tipping at the fourth event in the series, the Hayes Family Trophy, held at Waterkloof Golf Club in Pretoria, South Africa.

Stevens and Tipping had finished tied on 10-under-par 134 after 36 holes (inclement weather had disrupted play on the previous days), forcing a play-off which Stevens won on the second hole of sudden death.

Having opened with a three-under-par 69, in which he dropped just a single shot, Stevens closed with a brilliant, flawless seven-under-par 65. He picked up three birdies on the front nine, at holes two, seven and nine, for an outward 33. On the back nine, he added four more birdies, at holes 10, 14, 17 and 18, for an inward 32. Tipping, who had opened with a 66, carded a closing four-under-par 68. He enjoyed a flawless front nine, collecting birdies at the second and eighth holes for an outward 34. After the turn, Tipping added another birdie at the 10th before dropping a shot at the 17th and closing with an eagle at the 18th for an inward 34. For the win, Stevens amassed 210 Race to Q-School points, while Tipping earned 172.50.

The Race to Sunshine Tour Q-School is a 13-tournament series forming the pathway towards the 2026/27 Sunshine Tour Qualifying School. The next event is scheduled for January 12-14, 2026 at Killarney Country Club.