Former Major champion Louis Oosthuizen will seek to become only the third player in the history of the Alfred Dunhill Championship to successfully defend his title when he returns to Leopard Creek in December.

Oosthuizen has confirmed his place in the Sunshine and DP World tours co-sanctioned tournament at Leopard Creek and adds to a strong South African challenge that also includes Mbombelan Thriston Lawrence, currently South Africa’s highest ranked golfer on the Official World Golf Ranking in 50th place.

Christiaan Bezuidenhout, winner of the 2020 Alfred Dunhill Championship, Erik van Rooyen and Dean Burmester will also be in the field at Leopard Creek.

Oosthuizen won last year’s championship by two strokes following a thrilling final-round duel with Charl Schwartzel. He returns this December looking to join Schwartzel and Spain’s Pablo Martin as the only golfers in history to successfully defend their titles. Schwartzel achieved this feat in 2012 and 2013, while Martin did the same in 2009 and 2010.

“I’m looking forward to returning to Leopard Creek for the Alfred Dunhill Championship, which is one of the most special weeks in golf. I have always loved that golf course, and after finishing as runner-up in the tournament twice, I was delighted to win last year,” said Oosthuizen.

“This championship is one of those tournaments I always wanted to win, and to finally do so was very special. It’s a tournament I never want to miss, especially at this point in my career, because it combines my love of Leopard Creek and my love of the bush and the spectacular wildlife we are privileged to enjoy that week.”

Lawrence will be back in South Africa, having achieved his best finish in a Major of fourth at the Open this year, and also finished third on the DP World Tour’s 2024 Race to Dubai rankings, also earning his PGA Tour card in the process.

Bezuidenhout and Van Rooyen head to Leopard Creek, having represented South Africa at the Olympic Games in Paris this year. Bezuidenhout was also a member of the International Team in the Presidents Cup.

The South African golfers’ love of this tournament is evident in their impressive record here. South Africans have dominated the last three editions of the Alfred Dunhill Championship, with Oosthuizen, Ockie Strydom (2022) and Bezuidenhout (2020) claiming glory.

Schwartzel still holds the record for the most Alfred Dunhill titles with his four victories, as well as the tournament record of 24 under par 264 and the largest margin of victory of 12 strokes, which he achieved in 2012.

This year’s tournament will once again showcase the work of the South African Golf Development Board as the young golfers of the Mpumalanga Chapter will be treated to a golf clinic with the stars of the Sunshine and DP World tours.

If you would like to purchase tickets to attend the Alfred Dunhill Championship, you can visit www.sunshinetour.com/tickets.