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Judd Sundelson after winning the Free State Open

JUDD Sundelson held his nerve to secure a play-off victory at the 2026 Free State Open, held at Heron Banks Golf Course in South Africa on Sunday.

It was a dramatic finish to the final day, with a three-way play-off between Sundelson, Leonard Swart and Juan Xander Coetzee to determine the champion. The contest was eventually reduced to a two-man play-off, which ended with Sundelson claiming the title.

The trio had finished tied on 10-under-par 274 after 72 holes. Sundelson opened the championship with a flawless four-under-par 67, collecting birdies at the first, ninth, 11th and 13th holes. He was tied for second with Vuyisani Makama, one stroke behind leader Astin Arthur, who carded a 66. In the second round, Sundelson moved into a share of the lead with Coetzee after posting another 67. His round included four birdies at the first, fourth, sixth and 16th, an eagle at the 11th, and bogeys at the fifth and 15th. He produced another strong performance in the third round, dropping just a single shot to card a one-under-par 70, which included two birdies. Sundelson was now sharing the lead with Charl Barnard on nine-under-par 204. The pair headed into the final round with a one-stroke advantage over Pieter Coetzee, Swart and Juan Xander Coetzee. Sundelson closed with a final-round 70, featuring three birdies and two bogeys. After a flawless front nine, he picked up birdies at the 11th, 12th and 15th holes before dropping shots at the 17th and 18th.

Swart carded rounds of 68, 71, 66 and 69, while Juan Xander Coetzee returned scores of 71, 63, 71 and 69. Both players finished tied for second after the play-off.