Judd Sundelson completed a rare three-generation family achievement with victory in the 36-hole final of the South African Amateur Championship at Pretoria Country Club on Friday.
Sundelson defeated Germany’s Morris Schiefner 3 & 2, closing out the match with back-to-back birdies to secure the title by the same margin his grandfather, Neville Sundelson, used to win the championship in 1972.
The win carried deep personal significance for the Houghton golfer, whose father Barry, a finalist in 1991, uncle Dean, and mother Shani and sister Ella were among those in attendance.
“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. My grandpa was such a huge influence on our family and my golf. To win the same championship he did is incredibly special. I felt like he was with me out there.”
The final lived up to its billing, with neither player able to establish clear control. The match was all square after the opening 18 holes following a closely contested morning session.
“We knew it was going to be a long day,” Sundelson said. “Morris never gave me anything. 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.”
Sundelson moved 2 up through 23 holes before Schiefner responded by winning the 24th and 27th to bring the contest back to all square heading into the closing stretch.
A special win. A proud legacy
Judd Sundelson lifts the South African Amateur Championship trophy at Pretoria Country Club, following in the footsteps of his grandfather Neville (1972) and father Barry (finalist in 1991). #golfrsa #itstartshere #SAAmateur pic.twitter.com/t4R869K9kI— GolfRSA (@GolfRSA) January 30, 2026
“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 the next shot. In matchplay, momentum can swing quickly.”
The decisive moment came at the par-three 14th, where Schiefner dropped a shot. Sundelson capitalised with a birdie on the par four to move 2 up before sealing the match with a par on the par-four 15th.
“To finish it with a birdie in a 36-hole final is something I’ll never forget,” Sundelson said. “Winning the SA Amateur at Pretoria Country Club with my family there is a dream come true. I’m grateful to the University of St Andrews and my coach Ian Muir for giving me time off to compete.”
The victory also earned Sundelson a place in the field for the 115th Investec South African Open at Stellenbosch Golf Club, another milestone in his amateur career.
Barry Sundelson said the moment carried special meaning for the family.
“It was incredibly meaningful to watch Judd win,” he said. “They say talent skips a generation. To see what this championship meant to my father and now to Judd is very special. My dad would have been immensely proud.”
Sundelson’s victory places him alongside his grandfather and father in the tournament’s history books, reinforcing the enduring legacy of the Sundelson family in South African amateur golf.
Photo: GolfRSA
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