12 November 2019, by: BET Contributor
Nedbank Golf Challenge 2019 Preview: It’s time for (South) Africa
Africa’s Major takes centre stage on the golf calendar and there’s every reason to believe a local can go the distance.
There are two things terribly South African towards this time of year … getting pumped up for the Nedbank Golf Challenge (albeit in an earlier date slot) and looking for a Saffa silver lining to throw support behind.
The tournament certainly has changed from its inception 38 years ago, the field has expanded from a select group of a dozen or so to its place among the very best of European Tour events. 2019 offers a winner’s cheque of a $2.5 million – only the season ending DP World Tour Championship offers more – to a relatively small field in a little over 60 players taking part.
The course is legendary and known for its tight fairways and slick, undulating greens. It’s a track that offers a rich reward for experience – remember multiple champion Lee Westwood came from behind to beat former winner Sergio Garcia and local star Louis Oosthuizen last year – and also offers an opportunity for those who can come to grips with the swirling winds and altitude changes.
The intricacies of the course and the local support – as many as 20 000 will pack the galleries on the weekend – as well as the country’s morale boost by the Springboks fairytale win at the World Cup in Japan has the spotlight placed on the Rainbow Nation’s golfers.
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Top of the pile is Louis Oosthuizen (9.50). He has built up a tremendous run of form and will be desperate to right the wrongs of last year. The bookies’ favourite remains free and has made no secret of the fact that he loves to play well in front of the home crowd. A rugby fan himself, he will arrive at the first tee on Thursday with a spring in his step.
Erik van Rooyen (20.00) is the next big thing to come from South Africa. Many punters would’ve been kicking themselves for his result last week as his runner-up spot no doubt frightened the odds-makers into shortening his price. That said, his year has been one to remember and a win late on Sunday might be followed up with a wink to Ernie Els following the Big Easy’s “snub” of the 29-year-old for the Presidents Cup later in the year.
Outside of those two, Christiaan Bezuidenhout (59.00) edges Branden Grace, who has not enjoyed a good year. The 2017 winner at Sun City was also left out of the Internationals team but remains a threat on home soil. Bezuidenhout, a winner at the tough Valderrama course earlier in the season, continues to bounce near the first page of the leaderboard and could surprise.
Most would say Tommy Fleetwood (12.25) but his form doesn’t suggest he will be the biggest threat. Henrik Stenson (12.50) though poses a significant threat to local joy. He has been steady all year and returns for the first time in three years. As a former winner with a strong all-round game, the cool and calm Swede must be watched with interest.
The form and rich history with South African conditions must put Kurt Kitayama (29.00) on the radar. The American lost out in the playoff in Turkey so will arrive with something to prove this week. He is no longer a name to ignore and will start as a former champion from Leopard Creek, the holder of the Mauritius Open and with three top 5s in his last five outings.
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