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James Kamte will be included in a 30-man team of South African golfers at the Australian PGA Championship later this year.
The 32-year-old will get the chance to compete against some of the world’s finest players when he tees up from December 3-6.
The event – the oldest and most prestigious on the PGA Tour of Australasia, with a prize fund of AU$1.7 million (R15.71 million) – will be played at the RACV Royal Pines Resort in Queensland.
It will coincide with the Nedbank Golf Challenge that takes place at the Gary Player Country Club in Sun City.
This will be the first time that South African golfers compete in the Championship. Their participation is the result of a co-sanctioning agreement that was signed last week with the Australasian, European and Sunshine tours.
According to the Sunshine Tour’s chief operating officer, Grant Wilson, the Queenstown-born player became eligible to participate in the competition when he finished 38th on the 2014 Sunshine Tour Order of Merit.
“His ranking made it possible for him to be considered to play. We are excited that Kamte will be able to display his skills against some of the big names in world golf,” he said.
Wilson said the European Tour recommended that 30 top South African golfers compete in the showpiece.
Kamte last made an impact on the global stage by capturing the Asian Tour International in Thailand in 2009. His last notable victory at home was at the BMG Classic at Glendower Golf Club in Edenvale, Gauteng, in 2011.
“It feels very good to be considered for participation in the Championship. I’m training hard,” said Kamte, who finished fourth at the Investec Royal Swazi Open in May.
“This will obviously stand me in good stead to do well down under.”
Kamte, who said that Australia had “great courses”, will be up against some of that country’s finest players, such as 2013 US Masters winner and one-time world number one Adam Scott.
Last year’s showdown at the RACV Royal Pines Resort was won by Australian Greg Chalmers, who posted a score of 270.
It is envisaged that the 30 South African spots in the Australian PGA Championship will comprise the:
. Top 20 available players of the Sunshine Tour;
. Two places – by invitation – for previously disadvantaged members; and
. Top 10 players competing in the prequalifier.
Therefore, regular tour players Lindani Ndwandwe, Toto Thimba and Prinavin Nelson all stand a good chance of participating in Australia.
