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2022 Mauritius Open Preview, Picks & Analysis

By: | Mon 12 Dec 2022


BELGIUM’S THOMAS DETRY, who has made a superb start to his PGA Tour career, goes in search of his first DP World Tour victory at the Mauritius Open, which brings the curtain down on another wonderful golf year.

More of Detry later. The tournament will be played at the spectacular Mont Choisy Le Golf. The course was designed by Peter Matkovich and the architect is excited about a layout he says will present a fair and exciting challenge.

“Our team did an incredible job in creating a golf course that we love, and which the members and owners are also very happy with," he said.

"It looks very natural and we’ve used the black volcanic rock that is a feature in the north of the island to create this beautiful contrast with the green grass.”

Matkovich’s love for this golf course began almost 16 years ago when he first walked the magnificent Allée des Flamboyants walkway which leads to the Mont Choisy Golf and Beach Estate and envisioned a golf course there.

“It was a special place for me in Mauritius," he said. "It was a challenge designing and building the golf course to get the right balance with the volcanic rock, and to also conserve the topsoil and water of the area which is very scarce.

"The shaping team did an incredible job, and the landscaping team has also ensured that the golf course blends superbly with its environment.

"My philosophy is to bring golf back into golf course design and we achieved that here with a golf course that places as much emphasis on strategy as it does on the experience.”

Jyoti Jeetun, the Group Chief Executive Officer of the Mont Choisy Group, believes Mont Choisy Le Golf will make a tremendous impact as the new home of the Mauritius Open.

“Peter and his team have done a wonderful job in creating a course that is a visual splendour as well as a delight to play, for both our members and the professionals," she said.

"Set between the iconic town of Grand Baie and Mon Choisy Beach, it is going to be a privilege for us to showcase this magnificent course to an international audience and the way it complements the ‘Once in a Lifestyle’ proposition the beautiful Mont Choisy Golf and Beach Estate has to offer.”

Thomas Detry

(Image Credit: Kevin Diss Photography)

It is a course that should suit Detry, the big-hitting Belgian. He remains something of an enigma. 

How on earth is it possible that a golfer who possesses so much natural talent is still looking for his maiden victory? It just doesn’t make sense. 

He possesses a wonderful golf swing, drives the ball really well and is a terrific iron player. If there is a weakness it is on the greens, especially when the heat is on. But he now has a PGA Tour card and has made a great start, making the cut in all five starts to date and finishing second at the Bermuda Championship. 

Tom McKibbin could be the next big thing in European golf. The young Northern Irishman enjoyed a spectacular amateur career. He has every shot in the book and a wonderful temperament. He has made a bright start to his DP World Tour career - don’t be surprised to see him contend this week for his maiden victory.

With Christmas just around the corner, you won’t be surprised to learn that most of the DP World Tour’s leading players have decided to put their feet up. But there are worse places to be at this time of year than Mauritius, and there is a very strong South African presence, with th likes of Oliver Bekker, Dean Burmester, JC Ritchie and Brandon Stone making the trip.

Having lost his card, this is a big week for Stone.

The Course

Mont Choisy Le Golf is a par 72 measuring just 7,050 yards. It features a number of short par fours, so you can expect to see some very low scoring, although it is expected to play hard and fast, so accuracy is going to be a key.

Tournament Winners

It was won in 2015 by George Coetzee, in 2016 by Jeunghun Wang, in 2018 by Dylan Frittelli, in 2019 by Kurt Kitayama and in 2020 by Rasmus Hojgaard. There was no tournament in 2017 and it was cancelled last year because of the pandemic.

Form Guide

Thomas Detry has made a wonderful start to life on the PGA Tour, finishing second at the Bermuda Championship. His first DP World Tour success is long overdue, and he should love this course.

To Win:

Thomas Detry. Time to break that duck

Each Way:

Tom McKibbin. It’s only a matter of time...

Each Way:

Brandon Stone. Too good to be struggling

Five to Follow:

Thomas Detry. Just a brilliant ball striker

Tom McKibbin. Keep an eye on this young man

Brandon Stone. Desperate for a big week

Nicolas Colsaerts. Sentimental favourite as he battles illness

Dean Burmester. Shown some decent recent form


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Tags: european tour dp world tour



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