The 24-year-old South African chipped in for eagle during a playoff to defeat American Ryan Gerard and lift the Mauritius Open at La Réserve Golf Links. The victory secured back-to-back wins on the Sunshine Tour and DP World Tour, capping a defining 2025 season in style.

In doing so, Schaper became the first player since Louis Oosthuizen to win the Alfred Dunhill Championship and the Mauritius Open in consecutive weeks - a feat the former Open Championship winner achieved in 2023.

It was a finish befitting the season Schaper has enjoyed. Under intense pressure, he delivered with the kind of composure that harked back to the dreams forged on practice greens as a youngster. The eagle on the second playoff hole sealed his second successive DP World Tour title, following last week’s Alfred Dunhill Championship triumph, which was also decided in a playoff at Royal Johannesburg.

Following his remarkable win, Schaper admitted that pulling off a victory like this is the stuff of dreams.

“Those are the shots you dream about when you’re on the practice green as a kid,” said Schaper.

Jayden Schaper chipping in for the dramatic win - Sunshine Tour

“To pull it off in a tournament, and in a playoff, is something else. You’re so focused in the moment that you don’t really take it all in. I’m sure it’ll hit me later, but it’s just insane.”

Schaper’s surge over the past three weeks has been nothing short of extraordinary. He finished runner-up at the Nedbank Golf Challenge in honour of Gary Player before going on to claim successive titles at the Alfred Dunhill Championship and now the Mauritius Open.

On a blustery final day at La Réserve, Schaper closed with a superb final-round 64, including three birdies over his last four holes, to set a clubhouse target of 22 under par. Gerard, playing in the group behind, mounted a late charge and endured a nervy moment on the 18th fairway when he believed his ball may have moved at address. Cleared by a rules official, the American regrouped brilliantly, holing a sensational birdie from the greenside bunker to card a 66 and force a playoff.

JAYDEN SCHAPER CHIPS IN FOR EAGLE TO WIN! #AfrAsiaBankMauritiusOpen pic.twitter.com/aNmTT3OS3X

— DP World Tour (@DPWorldTour) December 21, 2025

Gerard arrived in Mauritius with a clear purpose, having travelled from Florida for what he described as a final chance to secure a victory and break into the top 50 on the Official World Golf Ranking - a move that would have earned him a coveted Masters invitation.

Both players made par on the first playoff hole, the par-five 18th. But on the second extra hole, Schaper produced the decisive moment, chipping in for eagle to bring the contest - and his season - to a dramatic close.

“So far it’s been two of the best weeks of my career,” he said.

Jayden Schaper - DP World Tour

“Hopefully there’s more to come. It’s been unreal and you couldn’t have asked for anything better.”

South Africa’s Casey Jarvis finished third on 17 under par after a closing round of 71, continuing a strong showing by the local contingent.

Schaper’s triumph also capped a memorable week for both the Sunshine Tour and DP World Tour on a course that has quickly earned international acclaim.

For Schaper, the eagle that echoed around La Réserve may well be remembered as the shot that launched an even brighter chapter heading into 2026.

Morgan Piek OFM Sport