‘King Louis’ to appear at Sun City

MAJOR winner Louis Oosthuizen has confirmed his place in the 2017 Nedbank Golf Challenge hosted by Gary Player from November 9 to 12.

This year, the $7.5 million tournament at the Gary Player Country Club in Sun City, South Africa, takes its place as part of the European Tour’s new Rolex Series, a premium category of eight events on the Race to Dubai.

Oosthuizen, who has 13 titles worldwide, triumphed at the Open Championship at St Andrews in 2010 to claim his maiden Major title.

He will make his seventh appearance in “Africa’s Major” when he tees it up at Sun City and aims to improve on his previous best finish of fourth place in 2012.

Oosthuizen said: “I’m always very excited to play the Challenge, and I can’t wait to tee it up again this year.

“Playing in front of a home crowd is always a lot of fun. It all adds up to make this one of the most special weeks on tour.”

Tournament host Gary Player said: “I am delighted to have Louis join us as one of South Africa’s leading international players, and I’m so pleased he continues to support golf in South Africa.”

Oosthuizen heads to Sun City having achieved a careerbest finish of tied second in The Players Championship this year, and amid an exciting evolution of the Challenge.

The tournament will be the seventh of eight events on the Rolex Series, a premium category of tournaments each with a minimum prize fund of $7million.

With the significant prize fund and greater Race to Dubai points on offer, Oosthuizen will be joined by some of the world’s top golfers, including defending champion and world number eight Alex Noren, in the final event before the season-ending DP World Tour Championship, Dubai.

Tickets for the 2017 Nedbank Golf Challenge on sale at www. ticketpros.co.za.

Adults will pay R100 for access on the practice and pro-am days on Tuesday 7 November and Wednesday 8 November, after which the cost will be R200 on Thursday 9 November and Friday 10 November, and R220 on Saturday 11 November and Sunday 12 November, all excluding a programme.

Children between the ages of 12 and 17 will gain free access on November 7 and 8, after which they will pay R90 on 9 and November 10, and R100 on November 11 and 12, all excluding a programme. Children under 12 will gain free access for the duration of the event.