Best golfers in SA at Joburg Open

SOME of the best professional golfers will be in action during the 2014 Joburg Open.

“At this stage we can embark on about ten of the top South African golfers to be in action at the Joburg Open,” said Sunshine Tour Executive Director Selwyn Nathan. “Richard Sterne will be defending his title and Charl Schwartzel will definitely come back to try and capture the title once again.

“The public will be able to watch some of the best local and international players currently in the world. The tournament is a star-studded card mixture of top ranked golfers.”

Joburg Open, which runs from February 6 to 9 at Royal Johannesburg and Kensington Golf Club, enters a new era in 2014 when it takes its place amongst the biggest tournaments in the global game as a qualifying tournament for the Open Championship.

Since its debut as a European Tour and Sunshine Tour co-sanctioned event in 2007, the Joburg Open has helped to grow the international careers of many of its winners.

Now it will serve as a doorway into the oldest and most prestigious Major in the game – the 2014 Open at Royal Liverpool. The top three finishers within the top ten of the Joburg Open not already exempt will gain entry into the Open.

“This is another major milestone in the evolution of a tournament that has always sought to bring world-class golf to a world-class African city, and which will do so again when the tournament takes place in Johannesburg,” said City of Johannesburg Acting Mayor, Councillor Geoffrey Makhobo.

The field includes former champions Richard Sterne, Branden Grace, Charl Schwartzel and Ariel Canete, as well as 2005 US Open champion Michael Campbell.

“Since its inception the Joburg Open has been viewed as one of the flagship sporting events of the City of Johannesburg. Its alignment with the most historic Major in golf is another powerful affirmation of our vision to showcase a tournament that is a source of pride for the residents of Johannesburg. This is a world-class African city, and being at the forefront of global tournaments in golf in this way is further evidence of the high standards of excellence we set for our city.

“After our successful hosting of football showpieces such as the FIFA 2010 Soccer World Cup and the 2013 African Cup of Nations, we are proud to follow up with a Joburg Open golf tournament that has increased its stature on the global stage.”

This year’s Joburg Open will also pay tribute to former president Nelson Mandela by contributing to the fundraising drive for the building of the Nelson Mandela Children’s Hospital in Johannesburg.

Tickets prices are R50 per day or R100 for a four day pass. Tickets available at the gate or Computicket.