Coetzee heads for Sun City

Home favourite George Coetzee (above) has confirmed his participation in the Nedbank Golf Challenge hosted by Gary Player, the penultimate Rolex Series event on the European Tour’s Race to Dubai, from November 8 to 11.

As the 2017/18 Sunshine Tour Order of Merit winner, Coetzee qualifies automatically for the event in a season in which he has already triumphed on South African soil, capturing his second career Tshwane Open title in March. He will tee up in an elite field that includes 2017 Masters Champion Sergio Garcia at the Gary Player Country Club in Sun City.

Coetzee, 31, who is currently 41st in the Race to Dubai rankings presented by Rolex, has shown a propensity for winning at home with three of his four European Tour victories coming in South Africa.

He will look to follow in the footsteps of countryman Branden Grace, who won by a single shot at last year’s Challenge to become the first home winner since Trevor Immelman in 2007.

“I’m really looking forward to playing the Nedbank Golf Challenge this year,” Coetzee said. “Gary Player is genuinely a legend of our sport and for him to host it, it really doesn’t get any better.

“It’s a fantastic tournament and I know all the players really enjoy coming to South Africa because it is such a great week and an amazing place to visit. I’ve played the last couple of years and it’s obviously one I want to be in the mix for.”

In 2014, Coetzee claimed his maiden European Tour victory at the Joburg Open. – Michael Vlismas