Spectacular finale: For the eleventh time in a row, the renowned Castanea Golf Resort provided the ideal setting for the Pro Golf Tour season finale. The Castanea Resort Championship 2025 thrilled spectators with a high-class and exciting competition that could hardly have been more exciting. Christian Bräunig and Claude Churchward battled it out until shortly before the end for the 17th and final title of the season – with the German coming out on top.

For a long time, they were only one stroke apart, but the decisive moment came on the 16th hole when Bräunig scored a birdie on the par 5 and his French opponent fell behind with a bogey. “On the 16th, I made a decisive shot from 195 meters over the water in the rain and wind,” Bräunig recalled. “I gathered all my courage, hit the ball onto the green and made a two-putt birdie. That was the moment I knew that only I could take it away from myself.” With two final pars, the 33-year-old brought a 67 (-5) into the clubhouse and ultimately won comfortably with a total score of 13 under par after three rounds and a three-stroke lead over Churchward.

Career end postponed
For Bräunig, the final round of the Castanea Resort Championship was a turning point. “In recent years, I've been thinking about quitting,” he revealed after his victory, which is likely to put those thoughts on hold for now. “Now I guess I'll have to keep playing a little longer.” Thanks to his first victory of the season and third title overall on the Pro Golf Tour, Bräunig moves up to third in the Order of Merit – for the second time after 2023.

Leaderboard: All results at a glance
Order of Merit of the 2025 Season

“I believe that I am good enough to make it onto the DP World Tour. That's also the reason why I'm still playing. I want to prove it to myself and would like to be able to say at some point that I have fully realized my potential.”

The fact that Bräunig had the opportunity to seal his promotion in the final stages was also thanks to the greenkeepers at Castanea Golf Resort. Heavy rain on the first day had flooded the course, so Bräunig had not expected the tournament to go ahead over 54 holes. “It looked like it was going to be completely washed out. The external conditions were not ideal. But the course was in brilliant condition. The greens held up perfectly, and I don't know how the greenkeepers managed it – it was brilliant work.”

The other promoted players
In addition to Bräunig, four other players secured their tour cards for the 2026 HotelPlanner Tour: Dutchman Lars van der Vight emerged as a two-time season winner and winner of the 2025 Order of Merit. Second place went to Frenchman Clément Guichard, who also won two titles. Behind Bräunig in third place, two other Germans, Michael Hirmer and Linus Lang, were delighted with their promotion.

In 2025, the Castanea Golf Resort once again more than lived up to the high expectations for the season finale. "The season finale at the Castanea Golf Resort is a special highlight for us every year – and this time, too, the atmosphere was simply fantastic. The course was in excellent condition, the organization ran smoothly, and the commitment of everyone involved was impressive. We greatly appreciate our long-standing partnership with Castanea Golf Resort – it is an important building block for the success of the Pro Golf Tour. My thanks go to everyone who contributed with passion and dedication to making this final another real highlight," said Peter Zäh, Managing Director of the Pro Golf Tour.

In a few days, the Pro Golf Tour Qualifying School for the 2026 season will take place. From October 9 to 10, 96 players each will try to earn a category for 2026 at Golf Fleesensee and the Holledau golf course.