Aggression is watchword

A tough test lies ahead for the 364 golfers who will battle it out for the nine pre-qualifier spots available for the 107th edition of the BMW SA Open Championship next week.

Played over three golf courses – Irene Country Club, Benoni Country Club and Modderfontein Golf Club – the pre-qualifying round will afford players who were otherwise not exempt an opportunity to take part in the second oldest open championship in the world.

But, with only one round to play to earn a spot, players will know a simple and effective strategy will do.

“You go all aggressive,” said Ryan Cairns of how to approach what he calls a shoot-out-bonusround. “This is like a shoot-out where if you get off to a great start, you just keep the foot on the gas.”

And while Cairns isn’t too concerned about his own game going into this gruelling round of golf, members of the Gary Player Class of 2017-18 James Kamte (above) and Jacquin Hess have been busy sharpening what they feel needs some work in their respective games.

Hess says while he has never qualified for this prestigious event before, he has been working hard to prepare for the round that might just earn him a spot in what would be his maiden BMW SA Open Championship tournament.

Kamte, on the other hand, is playing his cards close to his chest regarding his prospects in the pre-qualifiers. He says he prefers to let the work he has been doing over the Christmas break speak for itself but, he too, is sure of one thing: playing the best round of golf he’s ever played. – ANA