While there was jockeying for position all around him on Sunday, JC Ritchie was able to sail serenely to finish number one on the HotelPlanner Tour for 2025 with his seventh-place finish in the Rolex Grand Final.
Ritchie carded a closing one-under-par 71 at Club de Golf Alcanada in Port d’Alcúdia, Mallorca, to finish on nine-under for the week. That was six strokes behind the winner, James Morrison.
Englishman Morrison signed for a two-under-par final round of 70 to reach 15-under-par for the week and win by three shots from Italian Stefano Mazzoli. The 40-year-old climbed 30 places on the Road to Mallorca Rankings to end the season number six and guarantee his return to the DP World Tour in 2026.
Ritchie made history in Mallorca by becoming the first player from South Africa to be crowned HotelPlanner Tour number one. The 31-year-old secured automatic promotion to the DP World Tour in September after winning for the third time in the space of five HotelPlanner Tour starts.
Fellow South African Daniel van Tonder won the first two events of the 2025 season and ended the year as the number nine. He carded a closing one-under 71 to finish the tournament in a share of third.
“It hasn’t really sunk in,” said Ritchie. “I don’t understand what I’ve done. I think I’ve had an unbelievable season. When I fly back home, or maybe even tonight, I’ll sit down and have a think. It’s been a dream season for me. It was something that one of my first coaches told me, when I was preparing to be on tour. He said to try to be the best on every tour before you level up or try to be in the top 10. I managed to win the Sunshine Tour Order of Merit, and then it’s taken time to learn how to play out here and compete.
“I’m really chuffed with the work I’ve done. This has been an awesome opportunity for us to be able to graduate to the DP World Tour. I’ve really worked hard.
“I’m not the person I was last year. I’m happier with my game, I know what I’m doing and I’m glad I’ve managed to prove to myself that I’m good enough play out here and compete at a higher level.
“I can’t wait. I’d like to start playing on the DP World Tour next week. Part of the system I’ve had this year is taking nice breaks between events and planning a steady schedule, so I’ll have some time back home to enjoy with the family now before the last stretch before Christmas. Hopefully I can keep the momentum going.”
