Patrick Reed will headline a host of star players looking to fend off South Africa’s best challengers at the Investec South Africa Open at Stellenbosch this week.
Reed will have plenty of star company as he attempts to win for the third time in four starts.
Last week’s winner Oliver Bekker will be looking for another win on a course that he will know very well while the likes of Casey Jarvis, who broke through in Kenya last week, Jayden Schaper and Thriston Lawrence enter the event as among the favourites.
Ernie Els will also tee it up at the 115th Investec South African Open adding his name to a strong South African challenge.
Els, a five-time winner of the SA Open, will join a local challenge that includes Charl Schwartzel, defending champion Dylan Naidoo, and former champions Dean Burmester, Daniel van Tonder and Branden Grace.
The multiple Major champion has been a dominant force in the SA Open throughout his illustrious career.
Els claimed his first victory in his national Open in 1992, and won it again in 1996, 1998, 2006 and 2010. He has also finished runner-up in 1993, 1995 and 2005.
It will be a sentimental return to Stellenbosch for Els as the last time the SA Open was played at Stellenbosch Golf Club in 1999 he was defending his title. His countryman David Frost won that year.
Els’ presence in this year’s field adds to what will be one of the most significant weeks in South African golf, with Major incentives on offer.
The winner of this year’s SA Open will earn an exemption to the 2026 Masters, while the top three finishers will earn a place in The 154th Open at Royal Birkdale if not already exempt.
Photo: Stuart Franklin/Getty Images
Article Link: Investec SA Open field: Who to watch