MBABANE - The hunt for the first local champion of the FNB Golf Challenge is officially underway following the launch of the tournament's fifth instalment this morning.
Staged before guests led by the Minister for Sports, Culture and Youth Affairs, Bongani Nzima, at the Ezulwini Golf and Country Club, organisers unveiled a bolstered E2.5 million prize purse for the 2026 edition, which is a lucrative E500 000 increase funded directly by the Sunshine Tour.
The Sunshine Tour-sanctioned event, scheduled to take centre stage in the period August 12–15, 2026, has historically been dominated by international talent. South Africa's Michael Hollick clinched the 2025 title, finishing with a commanding 14-under-par and a two-stroke lead to pocket the E317 000 grand prize. Previous editions were similarly conquered by visiting players, including Daniel van Tonder (2024), Peter Karmis (2023) and Jaco Prinsloo (2022).
However, a renewed vigour aims to alter that narrative. FNB Eswatini Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Thokozani 'TK' Dlamini announced that 15 Eswatini golfers will again compete this year, alongside a newly- introduced juniors challenge designed to nurture future talent.
To further incentivise home success, a special E60 000 bonus pool will be shared among the top three performing emaSwati. Local hopes Mandla Dlamini Jr and James Pennington are among those expected to hoist the national flag and spearhead the homegrown charge.
With heightened stakes, an expanded field and significant financial backing, the stage is set at Ezulwini for a potentially historic week on the greens.
The hunt for the first local champion of the FNB Golf Challenge is officially underway following the launch of the tournament's fifth instalment this morning.