There is a “Wild thing” on the tees

American John Daly, aka Wild Thing, will play his first tournament in South Africa since the early nineties, when he tees off in this week’s Alfred Dunhill Championship at Leopard Creek.

The double-major champion joins 2011 masters champion Charl Schwartzel and PGA Tour and Presidents Cup teammate Brendon de Jonge in the field for this European Tour co-sanctioned tournament, which starts today.

Daly says he made the decision to play at Leopard Creek as part of his recovery from elbow surgery and the feeling that there was no better place to become tournament-ready for 2014 than the country in which his career really started.

“It feels great to be back in South Africa. I’ve had some memorable moments here. This is where I got my start. I played really well on the Sunshine Tour from 1987 through to 1990 and it got my career going. It boosted my confidence, so that when I went back home it actually helped me get my tour card,” said Daly.

“I had my operation in July and have played only one tournament in four months. Johann Rupert kindly put me into this tournament. I’m really fresh and I want to play. I don’t want to waste the end of this year. I’d like to get something going so I can get on track for next year.”

Daly had his first look at the top-rated Leopard Creek course on Monday and says he was blown away.

“It’s absolutely breathtaking. Now I know why it’s the number one course in South Africa. It’s not easy, but it’s beautiful. It’s well manicured. It’s a ball striker’s golf course – you’ve got to hit the fairways. And the greens are tricky. It the kind of course where you’d almost prefer a 20-footer to a 10-footer on these greens,” Daly added.

And the Wild Thing has already enjoyed the wild heart of Africa. “We’re staying in a house overlooking the Kruger Park and we’ve seen elephants, a beautiful eagle and waterbuck. And I woke up to a cobra this morning. For us from America, having seen these creatures only in the movies and now seeing them live, is just incredible.”