The Lowvelder

No green light for Dunhill - yet

- Stefan de Villiers

It is still unclear whether or not the Alfred Dunhill Championsh­ip will make its much anticipate­d return to Leopard Creek Country Golf Club this December.

This follows an announceme­nt by the Sunshine Tour commission­er, Selwyn Nathan, stating that the it is currently in the process of rescheduli­ng its 2020 season following the disruption caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.

According to Nathan, the 2020 Alfred Dunhill Championsh­ip at Leopard Creek is a premier tournament on the Sunshine and European tour schedules, and all efforts are being made for it to take place this year. “The Sunshine

Tour is, however, not yet in a position to confirm this,” he said.

“It is in constant communicat­ion with all of its sponsors and partners regarding this rescheduli­ng,” said Nathan.

Since 2000, the Alfred Dunhill Championsh­ip has occupied a premier place in world golf with a list of past champions, including Major winners and former world number ones, Adam Scott, Justin Rose, Charl Schwartzel and Ernie Els. The tournament started calling Leopard Creek home in 2004.

Schwartzel holds the record for the most Alfred Dunhill Championsh­ip titles of four, while fellow South African, Branden Grace, remains the only player to have won both the

Alfred Dunhill Championsh­ip and its partner tournament, the Alfred Dunhill Links Championsh­ip in Scotland.

American, David Lipsky won the 2018 event by two strokes on his debut in the tournament, thereby claiming his second European Tour title.

Last year, European player, Pablo Larrazabal had a rough start, but his final round of 75 at Leopard Creek gave him a tournament total of eight under par, which led to victory.

 ??  ?? Ernie Els.
Charl Schwartzel of South Africa in action during a pro-am event ahead of the Alfred Dunhill Championsh­ip at Leopard Creek Country Club on November 26 last year. Photos: Jan Kruger/ Getty Images
Ernie Els. Charl Schwartzel of South Africa in action during a pro-am event ahead of the Alfred Dunhill Championsh­ip at Leopard Creek Country Club on November 26 last year. Photos: Jan Kruger/ Getty Images

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