McIlroy accepts the big Challenge
Four-time Major champion Rory McIlroy will lead the field at this year’s Nedbank Golf Challenge at Sun City from November 8 to 11, the tournament organisers announced yesterday.
The Nedbank Golf Challenge is a Rolex Series event on the European Tour and the penultimate tournament in the Race to Dubai, and with McIlroy flying high on that Order of Merit in fourth place, the former world No 1 has already committed to taking on the famous Gary Player Country Club course for the first time. The Ulsterman was in the field for the 2009 event but pulled out on the eve of the first round due to flu.
“I’ve won the Race to Dubai three times but I haven’t contended in the last couple of years. So I really want to give myself a chance of winning it again this year, and it will be a massive week at Sun City before the finale in Dubai. I haven’t been to Sun City for a long time so I’m looking forward to going back,” McIlroy said.
Some big names have already been confirmed in the form of McIlroy, 2017 Masters winner Sergio Garcia, defending champion Branden Grace and another local hope in George Coetzee.
“The Nedbank Golf Challenge is one of the great tournaments on the European Tour played on one of the most beautiful courses. When we initiated the Rolex Series, we pledged it would showcase the top players in iconic locations, and Sun City lives up to that. We are delighted that Rory has made an early commitment to lead what is already shaping to be a strong field,” Keith Pelley, the CEO of the European Tour, said.
It will be McIlroy’s second visit to South Africa in the last two years following his participation in the 2017 SA Open at Glendower. Even though the major attraction didn’t win the tournament, being edged out by Graeme Storm in a thrilling play-off, McIlroy’s mere presence and star quality was electrifying, drawing large crowds to Johannesburg.