For professional golfers, bigger prize money can mean more than a larger number at the end of a tournament. It can mean being able to travel to more events, compete more consistently and spend more time building a career rather than calculating the cost of the next tournament.
Image supplied.
That is where Investec’s latest commitment to women’s golf comes in.
From 2027, the Investec South African Women’s Open will see its prize purse increase by a further R1m, taking the total to a minimum of nearly R7,5m.
The tournament is set to become the highest-paying women’s professional golf tournament in Southern Africa, with players also competing for the R200,000 Investec Order of Merit Bonus Prize and R100,000 Investec Homegrown Award Bonus Prize.
The increase comes alongside a renewed five-year partnership with the Sunshine Ladies Tour and the addition of two new players to Investec’s sponsored roster: Symone Henriques and Zanè Kleynhans.
Peta, Symone and Zanè. Image supplied
Putting more into the women’s game
For professional golfers, prize money can have a practical impact on how often they compete, where they can travel and how much time they can dedicate to building their careers.
Investec has also extended its title sponsorship of both the Investec South African Open and Investec South African Women’s Open for another five years, while renewing its patronage of the Papwa Sewgolum Class, which focuses on transformation in golf.
Peta Dixon, head of sponsorships at Investec South Africa, says the aim is to help create the conditions for South African players to develop and compete at a higher level.
“We’re invested in the long-term potential of South African golf and in the players helping to shape its future. Strong national tournaments, visible role models and a competitive professional environment all matter if the game is to continue growing. That's where we believe we can make a meaningful contribution."
Backing the players behind the numbers
The commitment also extends to the golfers themselves. Henriques and Kleynhans join Investec-sponsored players Kaiyuree Moodley, Ivanna Samu and Nicole Garcia.
For players still establishing themselves professionally, sponsorship can help offset the costs that come with competing, from travel and tournament expenses to the practical uncertainty of building a career in the sport.
Henriques knows those pressures first-hand.
“Professional golf quickly taught me how demanding the game can be, both financially and mentally, especially when competing against some of the best players in South Africa and abroad,” she said.
She sees the sponsorship as part of a wider shift in how women’s golf is being supported and recognised.
“Being able to represent a brand like Investec, which has played such an important role in growing the women’s game, is a dream. Investec's sponsorship of the South African Women's Open creates more opportunities for female golfers, raises the profile of the game and inspires the next generation of young girls to believe there is a future for them in golf.”
For Kleynhans, the backing comes at an important point in her own career.
“To have a company like Investec believe in my potential gave me even more motivation to work hard and represent them with pride,” she said. “I'd love to see golf become even more accessible and inclusive so that more young people have the opportunity to experience the game.”
The Sunshine Ladies Tour is growing
The increased investment comes as the Sunshine Ladies Tour itself continues to expand.
Over the past five years, the tour has grown from six tournaments to ten, while total prize money has risen from approximately R6m to around R28m in 2026.
For Elche Abt, general manager of the Sunshine Ladies Tour, that growth is important because more tournaments give players more opportunities to compete and develop before making the move to international circuits.
“The impact goes well beyond bigger prize funds,” said Abt.
“More tournaments mean more competitive playing opportunities, stronger player development and a clearer pathway to the international stage.”
South Africa has produced three players who have reached the highest levels of the LET and LPGA over the past five years. The next challenge is creating enough opportunities for more players to follow that route.
Building a route to the international stage
A stronger domestic circuit can give players the competition and experience needed to make the step into international golf. More regular events also help attract stronger fields, raising the standard of play across the tour.
“If we want more South African professionals to compete internationally, we need stronger fields, more playing opportunities and partners who are willing to invest in the game over the long term,” Abt said.
“Investec’s support has helped raise the profile of the tour and shown what consistent backing can make possible.”
With women and girls continuing to make up a growing share of new golfers globally, the focus is increasingly on creating a professional pathway that players can realistically build a career around.
For South Africa’s women golfers, bigger tournaments, stronger prize money and sustained investment could make that pathway more competitive, and more accessible, in the years ahead.
