Star-studded line-up for SA Open
Golfers, James Kingston and Hennie Otto, will join the star-studded line-up for the 103rd South African Open at Glendower Golf Course from November 21 to November 24.
The two previous winners of the event will join defending champion Henrik Stenson and two-time champion Retief Goosen.
James Kingston won the SA Open for the first time in 2007 at the age of 42.
“You cannot put a price on what this means to me,” said James after sinking the winning putt.
“This is the greatest day of my career. I am doubly emotional right now, because to win this, my own national open against a world-class field and to follow in the footsteps of a man like Gary Player, is massive,” he said.
Hennie Otto, too, was emotional after winning the 101st edition.
Ekurhuleni’s own son looked to be cruising to victory with a three-shot lead and six holes to play in the 2011 edition.
Then he bogeyed three of the next four holes to drop back to -13.
Otto had to finish par under par merely to tie, but the man they call the “Boksburg Bomber” reached for his driver at the 17th and hit a shot so good, it actually ran through the green.
He skilfully chipped to about four feet from the cup and carefully lined up the putt before rolling it in for a birdie.
He knew victory was in his grasp.
After another big drive down 18 and a safety-first approach to the right side of the green away from the water, he two-putted from 40 feet for victory.
“To win the SA Open, to win your own national open, is very special,” he said.
This year’s line-up includes two-time US Open champion Retief Goosen and two-time Alfred Dunhill Championship winner, Pablo Martin.
