Ludick ignites back-nine birdie blitz to win Nomads NOoM at PE Golf Club

GQEBERHA, 6 July 2025 – After a whirlwind international tour, Johndre Ludick delivered a sensational back-nine birdie charge at PE Golf Club – The Hill to win the 2025 Nomads Coastal National Order of Merit (NooM) tournament by two shots.

The Graaff-Reinet Golf Club standout, fresh off the GolfRSA National Squad Tour to the UK and Japan, overcame a six-stroke final-round deficit and fatigue from long-haul travel to close with a four-under-par 68 and finish on four-under 212 for the 54-hole event.

“It took three flights to get back, and I slept a whole day before this tournament,” said Ludick, who had played the Scottish Men’s Open, the St Andrews Links Trophy, and then jetted to Japan for the Toyota Junior Golf World Cup, where he represented South Africa alongside Dewan de Bruin and Roelof Craig. “I didn’t have many expectations this week, so I just went out to enjoy it, and the putter got hot on the back nine.”

This marks Ludick’s second victory of the season and his first national breakthrough, after his triumph at the KwaZulu-Natal Stroke Play in May and further cements his rising-star status within South African amateur golf.

Ludick, with fellow National Squad member and two-time Zimbabwe Junior Open champion Devon Valentine on the bag, made his move with a five-birdie barrage on the inward nine, storming past local favourite Joseph Moolman and Kaiden Chetty from Royal Johannesburg.

Moolman signed off with a steady one-under 71, while Chetty launched a strong challenge with a brilliant six-under 66, which included six birdies in a row around the turn, but he couldn’t find another coming home. Both players finished in a tie for second on two-under 214.

A group of four players shared fourth place on one-under, including Ben Weber, Cilliers Craig, Matthew Gouws, and Santiago dos Santos, while seven players tied for eighth on level-par.

Ludick’s win was impressive, especially considering his modest start: rounds of 72 and 73 had him six shots off the 36-hole lead held by Henru Walters, who opened with 67 and 72. But while Walters faltered on the final day, Ludick capitalised with a steady front nine (level-par) before catching fire on the back.

“Moolman was playing solidly, and Kaiden was coming fast,” Ludick said. “I knew I needed to do something special coming in. Once the birdies started dropping, I just rode the momentum. It feels really great getting this first Nomads win under belt, after coming close a few times. It’s satisfying to see all the hard work pay off, and hopefully there are a few more trophies in my future this season.”