Bad weather had the final say at the GolfRSA International Amateur, cancelling the last round and leaving both titles to be decided at 54 holes — with Morris Schiefner leading the men and Gia Raad out front in the women’s division.
Schiefner, a German who splits his time between Germany and South Africa, finished on 9-under 207 (70-68-69) and was confirmed as champion at 10 a.m. local time on what was meant to be the final day. Ranked 13th on the South Africa Men’s rankings, he first came to South Africa in 2018 and joined the KeNako Academy in George, becoming a familiar presence on the local circuit.
“Many people know me as an emotionless guy,” he said, “but when I heard the news that I won, it was quite a relief. I was definitely preparing for a fight. Winning like that is not always that nice.”
Even his closing 69 had to be rescued. “My long game was definitely not on point. I was three-over early,” he said. “Then 14 is a par five — I chipped it in. After that, I knew I was going to make a comeback.”
Defending champion Astin Arthur finished T-2 at 8-under (65-73-70), one shot back.
At the same time in the women’s championship, Gia Raad, ranked 9th on the GolfRSA Women’s Open Amateur Rankings, held firm at 1-over 217 (74-71-72) to secure her title. Headed to Auburn University in Fall 2026, Raad already owns a standout amateur résumé: she is a two-time winner of the African Women’s Amateur Championship (2024, 2025) and became only the 13th woman since 1906 to win back-to-back titles when she defended her crown in 2025. She also captured the English Girls Open Championship in 2023 and won the Africa Amateur in 2025.
“It just gives me a bit of hope for the next couple of events,” Raad said. “I fought really hard… seeing a result come through is a really good feeling.”
“I know people know me as feisty and super passionate,” she added. “So I’m trying to direct those emotions in a good way — and I think it worked for me this week.”
Defending champion Bobbi Brown finished runner-up at 3-over (73-74-72).
Neither winner got the finish they expected — but both did enough before the weather moved in, and both left with a title that counts the same.
