Jayden Schaper won.
And Ryan Gerard got what he came for.
More than one professional left the island of Mauritius, located off the east coast of Africa, satisfied, giving us an interesting end to the 2025 golf year. Let’s start with Schaper, aka winner No. 1. His finish was good.
Last week, the 24-year-old from South Africa won the DP World Tour’s Alfred Dunhill Championship after making an eagle on the first hole of a play-off. This week, during the Mauritius Open of the DP World Tour? Schaper is coming off back-to-back wins – chasing another playoff eagle, this one a hole out from approximately 50 yards in front of the green on the par-5 18th hole at Heritage La Réserve Golf Links. Schaper opened his week with a pair of 69s and then closed with two 64s, and he will enter next year as one of the most popular golfers in the world.
“Christmas is going to be good this year, and New Year’s. It’s just surreal. I’ve been waiting five years for the first 10,000 miles from home, pro earns a Masters spot. And sees a miracle and then the next week [to get the second] is so cool.”
Then there is Gerard, aka winner no. 2.
The 26-year-old pro from North Carolina had started the week at No. 57 in the Official World Golf Ranking – and the year-end top 50 received invitations to the 2026 Masters. So Gerard entered the Mauritius Open, flew 10,000 miles to the island and hoped to finish in a tie for fourth or better, which would take him into the top 50. (The indefatigable Ryan French of the Monday Q Info website first reported Gerard’s plan, and you can read French’s story here.)
Only Gerard did better than necessary.
He almost won the thing.
After rounds 68, 69 and 63, Gerard got a stroke back from Schaper on hole 72, after which he dropped his ball 1.5 meters. a shot from a bunker on the green side. From there he made birdie, advanced to the playoff with Schaper and officially secured his first start at Augusta National.
“I had a pretty good year this year and unfortunately didn’t finish great,” he said after Friday’s second round. “But the kind folks at OWGR sent me some year-end forecasts that put me just outside the top 50.
“I thought if I could do it again, I would give it my best shot and give it my all for the season. Top 50 at the end of the year goes into the Masters, so that’s a special kick in the pants to come 10,000 miles from Florida and save it. It certainly wasn’t on the bingo card at the start of the season, but I’m happy to be here. It’s a really cool place. Hopefully two even tougher rounds and it will be a beautiful journey that was worth it.”
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