SA Open: Facts

Cape Town - Quick facts ahead of the SA Open to be played at Durban Country Club from December 16-19.

- The South African Open Championship was first played for in 1893 and is the second oldest national championship after the Open Championship.

- The South African Open is the second oldest sporting event in South Africa after the Currie Cup rugby trophy was first played for in 1893.

- Most wins: 13 (Gary Player between 1956 – 1981)

- Most consecutive wins: five – Bobby Locke (1937 - 40 and 46); Gary Player (1965 - 69)

- Youngest winner: Bobby Locke (17 in 1935)

- Oldest winner: Sid Brews (53 in 1952)

- Lowest winning total: 267 (Tony Johnstone 1993 – Durban Country Club)

- Lowest 18 hole score: 62 (John Bland 1993 – Durban Country Club)

- Biggest victory margin: 20 shots (George Fotheringham 1914 – Royal Cape Town)

- Winners in four decades: Sid Brews (1925, 30, 49 and 52); Gary Player (1956, 60, 72 and 81)

- Last amateur to win: Denis Hutchinson (1959)

- Lowest 72 hole score by an amateur: 282 Denis Hutchinson (1959); Ian Hutchings (1987); Ernie Els (1989); Hennie Otto (1997)

- December 2010 will be the 100th edition of the South African Open Championship