Stenson arrives at Sun City
Swede Henrik Stenson has arrived in South Africa ahead of this weekend’s Nedbank Golf Challenge where he will attempt to win the tournament for a second time.
Stenson was unable to defend his title at the SA Open Championship last month because of a wrist injury, but has since recovered and has completed a practice round at the adjacent Lost City Golf course.
The Race to Dubai and Fed-Ex Cup winner forms part of a 30-man field which includes Brandon de Jonge of Zimbabwe who qualified after the winner of the Alfred Dunhill Championship, Charl Schwartzel, who would gain automatic entry, had already qualified for the event at the Gary Player Country Club.
De Jonge has been in solid form during the PGA Tour and will be joined by Darren Fichardt who is another first-timer having made the field as the leader of the Sunshine Tour Order of Merit.
Meanwhile Germany’s Martin Kaymer is back to defend his title and described participation in the even as an honour.
“You look at all those great names on the bronze plaques on the walkway to the ninth green, and it’s nice to know mine will be on there as well,” Kaymer told tour officials.
Reminiscing about his first experience at the prestigious tournament, local favourite Charl Schwartzel revealed that picked up something of great value at the tournament he first attended with his father.
“I was watching Ernie Els putting on the practice green. Then he left to tee off, leaving behind his golf ball. So I nipped under the rope and stole it,” said Schwartzel.
On a more serious note, he said that the tournament will remain a highlight on his calendar.
“It really is a special event. I rate the tournament highly. I think for a South African to play the Nedbank it’s big.”
Latest
-
European TourCollin Morikawa wins Race to Dubai as Rory McIlroy’s frustrations boil over
The Northern Irishman appeared to rip his shirt open in the recording area behind the 18th green.
-
NewsTiger Woods shares footage of him hitting balls as rehab continues
Woods was injured in a car accident in February.
-
-
European TourRory McIlroy takes one-shot lead into final round in Dubai after shooting a 67
England’s Sam Horsfield is just a shot off the lead, one ahead of Scot Robert MacIntyre.
-
European TourDouble bogey on final hole sees Rory McIlroy slip shot off the pace in Dubai
The round one leader is a shot behind Ryder Cup team-mate Shane Lowry, England’s Sam Horsfield and American John Catlin.
-
European TourI’m on the right path – Rory McIlroy excited about road to next majors challenge
McIlroy is now a combined 148 under par in the £6.6million season-ending DP World Tour Championship.
-
European TourOpen champion Collin Morikawa determined to take chances in Race to Dubai bid
Morikawa had the chance to top the Order of Merit by winning last year’s DP World Tour Championship.
-
European TourRory McIlroy unlikely to change schedule despite new-look European Tour
The European Tour will be known as the DP World Tour from the 2022 season but Florida-based McIlroy will continue to focus on the PGA Tour.
-
European TourPunter’s pointers at the DP World Tour Championship: Course and desert specialists to the fore
It’s the final week of the 2021 European Tour season and the best 50 players of the season are convening at Jumeirah’s Earth Course.
-
European TourJB Hansen wins AVIV Dubai Championship to claim second European Tour title
The Dane finished a shot clear of Italy’s Francesco Laporta and Austria’s Bernd Wiesberger.