The South African Open is set to get underway at Glendower Golf Club tomorrow and the pride of South Africa will once again try and make it 11 South African wins in the last 13 years. We may have been robbed of the Worlds most of form golfer currently in Henrik Stenson (Withdrawn due to injury), but we will still see some brilliant golfers lining up. Jabu picks his five to watch at the SA Open this weekend.
Charl Schwartzel (RSA) – 22nd
Charl is the top ranked player in the World and has done South Africa proud for the past few years on a global stage. He now comes back to attempt to complete the haul. Any South African golfer would add the SA Open to their wish list and join the likes of Bobby Locke, Gary Player, Ernie Els, Retief Goosen and other South African greats to lift the trophy. Charl may have one the green jacket, but this one has so far alluded him. After a tough season, Charl will surely be looking to start the 2014 European season with a win and set him up for a major chasing 2014.
Darren Fichardt (RSA) – 135th
You don’t finish lead the Sunshine Tour for nothing. Darren had a great 2013 which really kick started with a win at the Africa Open and finishing second at the Tshwane Open just a week later. A 7th at the BMW International was then complimented by finishing 15th in Turkey and 21st in Dubai. There is an argument that Darren comes into the SA Open as the favourite, a tag he will no doubt enjoy. He will no doubt look to improve on his best 6th placed finish.
Scott Jamieson (SCO) – 107th
Scottish Scott Jamieson had an incredible South African leg of the European Tour in 2013. He won the Nelson Mandela Championship, finished the 2nd at the Volvo Golf Champions and third at the Alfred Dunhill Championship. He had two more top 10 finishes in 2013 and will surely hope that he can recapture the South African form that made him a household name. Of course we all know about Scots winning the SA Open as Richie Ramsey did it 2010 breaking an 8 year winning streak by South Africans.
Justin Walters (RSA) – 195th
The popular South African stole many a heart with his runner up finish at the Portugal Masters earlier this year to secure his tour card. He finished 10th in Turkey as well which was fantastic. His best ever finish at the SA Open was in 2006 when he finished 16th, do not be surprised if Justin betters that with a great performance this week.
Edoardo Molinari (ITA) – 261st
There is a potential for a Henrik Stenson type story here. Molinari has dropped down the official world golf rankings at a rapid pace since his double winning year of 2010. 2013 only saw him in the top 10 once, but he will surely be looking to the Glendower based Championship to launch himself towards an outstanding 2014 and to get back into the Ryder Cup reckoning.
Who are the players you are watching out for? Let us know.