TOP SA GOLFERS SEEK REWARDS AT EVENTS ON EUROPEAN, AMERICAN AND LIV CIRCUITS
CARL PETERS
Leading South African golfers will tackle events on the European, American and LIV circuits this week, as they continue to seek respect and rewards amid tough competition.
The largest group of “Saffers” tee off in the ISPS Handa Championship in Japan on the European Tour this morning, but there is also a hefty group of players from this South Africa participating in the UAE Challenge in Abu Dhabi on the second-tier European Challenge Tour.
At the same time, Garrick Higgo is the only South African competing in the Zurich Classic team event in New Orleans on the U.S. PGA Tour.
The last significant tee-off comes tomorrow in Adelaide, Australia, on the highly-lucrative LIV Tour and features the usual foursome from the “Rainbow Nation” of Dean Burmester, Branden
Grace, Louis Oosthuizen and Charl Schwartzel, who make up “Stinger GC”.
The ISPS Handa Championship sees the European Tour return from a short break and has a purse of $2,25 million (R43 million). Nine South Africans have been listed in its field, including Christiaan Bezuidenhout, Louis de Jager, Dylan Frittelli and Zander Lombard.
A group of one less are set for the UAE Challenge at Saadiyat Beach Golf
Club in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, on the European Challenge Tour.
The “Saffers” include Oliver Bekker, Wilco Nienaber and Daniel van Tonder, who will be eyeing shares of a $300 000 purse. Saadiyat Beach Golf Club has reportedly prioritised the protection of natural wildlife and habitats in the area, which is home to a number of animals such as humpback dolphins, hawksbill turtles and over 250 mountain gazelles — free to roam the course.
On the PGA Tour, Garrick Higgo partners Ryan Fox of New Zealand in the Zurich Classic of New Orleans. It boasts a purse of $8,9 million.
On the women’s scene, the Sunshine Ladies Tour season is climaxing with the staging of the SA Women’s Open Erinvale Golf Club in Cape Town this week, while the LPGA features the JM Eagle LA Championship in California, U.S.