Covid rules out four players from teeing it up at SA Open

Darren Fichardt is the most high-profile player to miss out on the action at Sun City.

Darren Fichardt has had to withdraw from the SA Open because of Covid-19. Picture: Warren Little/Getty Images

The SA Open golf tournament, already missing several big-name European stars, has been hit by the withdrawal of four local golfers who’ve tested positive for the coronavirus.

Multiple Sunshine Tour and European Tour winner Darren Fichardt is the biggest name to have to withdraw from the tournament, which tees off at Sun City on Thursday.

Three other South Africans, Dylan Mostert, Teaghan Gauche and Siyanda Mwandla, have also tested positive for Covid-19 and won’t feature at Sun City.

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The Sunshine Tour said in a statement the players are “self-isolating and would be given all the necessary support to ensure their comfort and safety.”

Christiaan Bezuidenhout is the defending champion but he can expect plenty of competition from other seasoned world travelers like Dean Burmester, Justin Harding, George Coetzee and Brandon Stone.

Dylan Frittelli has also made it clear he is desperate to win the SA Open and put his name on the trophy.