Staff WriterThe Serengeti Playoffs leaderboard is already sparking with excitement. On Thursday, George Coetzee and JJ Senekal lit up the new Courier Guy Playoffs Series with rounds of seven-under-par 65 at the stunning Serengeti Estates—a round that reminded us why we watch golf.
Meanwhile, Dylan Naidoo kept pace with a sharp six-under-par 66, making it clear that the competition is as fierce as it is thrilling.
Coetzee, a 14-time Sunshine Tour winner, and Senekal, a three-time champion, were in fine form as they exploited the course’s receptive conditions to carve out a one-stroke advantage.
Naidoo, the Investec South African Open champion, isn’t far behind—joining Altin van der Merwe on the Fortress Rookie of the Year standings and adding further intrigue to the Serengeti Playoffs leaderboard.
Yet, while their scores were identical, the journeys differed markedly. Coetzee’s round was nothing short of theatrical, boasting 11 birdies and four bogeys, with routine pars being as rare as a calm day in a gale. He summed up his performance succinctly:
“It started off pretty good, then good in the middle and good in the end. There were a couple of silly errors through the day, but altogether I think it was finally a decent round of golf from my side. The good golf was good. I’ll just try and build on that.”
Searching for his first win since 2022, Coetzee opted for an attacking style. On a course that was a touch wet—a condition that invites daring play—he wasn’t afraid to swing for the flags. As he candidly explained,
“It’s a bit wet so you can attack the flags with the longer clubs, and I think the guys will take advantage of that.
That was the plan for me today. It worked most of the time. I obviously paid the price a couple of times, but that’s the price you pay for being aggressive.”
In contrast, Senekal’s approach was cool and composed. His steady play, highlighted by eight birdies and a solitary mishap on the par-three 15th, culminated in a strong finish.
Two slick birdies in a row down the stretch did more than boost his score—they stamped his name right at the top of the Serengeti Playoffs leaderboard, and that’s a position not up for grabs.
With the Courier Guy Playoffs Series just getting underway, these opening rounds promise an abundance of thrilling golf and strategic masterclasses.
As the tournament unfolds, fans will no doubt be keeping a keen eye on the Serengeti Playoffs leaderboard, eagerly anticipating the next chapter of this exciting contest.
