Charl out, but strong field in
A WRETCHED Christmas for South Africa’s Charl Schwartzel has been compounded by having to withdraw from this week’s South African Open when the European PGA Tour resumes after the holiday break.
The former US Masters winner has been in and out of hospital in recent days for rehydration treatment after being afflicted by a stomach virus, as were many family members gathered for the festive season.
While Schwartzel is on the mend, he had been forced to pull out of one of the few domestic titles he has yet to win, South Africa’s Sunshine Tour said on Thursday.
“I am disappointed to be missing out on the SA Open,” he said. “Everybody knows how keen I am to win our national Open and, having come so close the last couple of years, and following my good form at Leopard Creek, I was really looking forward to contending at Glendower.
“I look forward to being strong and healthy in time for the Joburg Open the following week,” Schwartzel added.
The SA Open is the first professional tournament since the rule changes were implemented on January 1 banning the anchoring of putters.
The field is a strong one, with many of the European stars who fancy their chances of making the 2016 Ryder Cup team having entered, among them big-hitting Nicolas Colsaerts of Belgium, David Howell of England and Gregory Bourdy of France.
Defending champion is Andy Sullivan of England, who is in an automatic qualifying position for the Ryder Cup and out to reinforce his ranking and a chance for a maiden invite to one of the sport’s great events.
Sullivan is joined in the field by former winners Trevor Dodds of Namibia, Morten Orum Madsen of Denmark, Hennie Otto, Richard Sterne, and the major-winning South African trio of Ernie Els, Retief Goosen and Trevor Immelman. Els is also the tournament host for a second year.
Big tournament winners who are also in the mix are France’s Gary Stal and Marcel Siem of Germany, along with England’s Oliver Wilson, while the South African duo of George Coetzee and Trevor Fisher also starred last year.
Then come the handful of outstanding “young guns” who can cement their place in the history of the second-oldest professional tournament in the world ... Branden Grace, Hayden Porteous, Brandon Stone, Zander Lombard and Christian Bezuidenhout represent the future of the game in South Africa, and all have shown in recent months that their game is ready for the national title.
Don’t be surprised if one of these players comes through and claims a maiden SA Open title.
Among the players from KwaZulu-Natal who will be in action are the likes of Jared Harvey, Neil Schietekat and Colin Nel, along with Garth Mulroy, Jaco van Zyl, Andrew Curlewis and Michael Hollick.
Play starts at the Glendower club early on Thursday, and the tight, tree-lined course will favour those who hit it straight and long.
For the South African players there is the added incentive of moving up the world rankings as swiftly as possible – at the moment the players in line to represent the country at the Rio Olympics are Branden Grace and Louis Oosthuizen.