If you are into the world of men’s pro golf you may have looked-up who is leading the AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open.
There is two sharing the lead at 16-under in the co-sanctioned Sunshine Tour and DP World Tour event – South African Casey Jarvis and American Ryan Gerard.
Ryan Gerard? Isn’t he the guy that finished T8th in this year’s PGA Championship and won the recent Barracuda Championship on the PGA Tour?
Gerard produced a best-of-the-week, sizzling third round 63 in continuing windy and sometimes wet conditions that been a feature of the opening rounds to join Jarvis, who has now lead or shared the lead for three days on the host Heritage La Réserve Golf Links at Heritage Bel Ombre in the Mauritius.
“IT WASN’T ON MY BINGO CARD”.
Declared @PGATOUR Ryan Gerard & now tied for lead when asked why he’s contesting #AfrAsiaBankMauritiusOpen @Sunshine_Tour
World No. 57 advised by @OWGRltdearn him @TheMasters t/time
Read: https://t.co/FIzj2NwXCN
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✅ @TOURMISS pic.twitter.com/Ewtit2vfCj
— Fatiha (@TOURMISS) December 20, 2025
So what brings Gereard to the middle of the Indian Open to tee-up?
“The kind people at the OWGR sent me some end-of-year projections,” he said.
“I’m just outside the top 50. I figured I’d have one more crack at that and give it my best shot. Then I could hang my hat on giving it my all for the season, and the top 50 by the end of the year to get into The Masters.
“So that’s kind of a kick in the pants to come 10 000 miles from Florida and tee it up.
“It wasn’t on the Bingo card at the start of the season for sure, but I’m excited to be here. It’s a really cool place, and hopefully two more solid rounds will make it a nice trip that was worth it.”
The 26-year-old Raleigh, North Carolina golfer most likely needs a win to carry him into the top 50.
Should it not happen this week, then there is the opportunity at the 2026 Investec South African Open which for the first time in South African golf history is offering an exemption to The Masters for the champion.
“Potentially, it’s something I might consider,” he added.
“I’ve heard good things about the Nedbank Golf Challenge in honour of Gary Player, the Alfred Dunhill Championship, and all those events.
“I have a couple of friends from South Africa who’ve been urging me to get down there. It just depends on the schedule.
“My focus is playing well on the PGA Tour and fitting in other cool things along the way if possible.
“Aldrich Potgieter is a pretty good buddy of mine. I’ve played a few rounds with him this year alone. He’s been telling me I’ve got to come and play in South Africa. Nick Price told me a couple of years ago that Leopard Creek is one of his favourite golf courses.
“So when you hear them say things like that, it makes you want to at least look at going there. It’s a long trip from where I live and it has to fit in the schedule properly.
“If it does, it’s something that I’d love to do at some point. This one just fitted in the schedule.”
