Masters champions Charl Schwartzel will be flying the flag for SA.
Donald is the second consecutive world number one to tee it up in the annual showpiece, following Westwood’s appearance and victory in 2010. The strength of this year’s field is enhanced by another former top-spot holder in Martin Kaymer.
“I think it speaks volumes for the status of the Nedbank Golf Challenge that for the second year in succession we have been able to secure the world’s number one golfer for our tournament,” said Alastair Roper, the Tournament Director of the Nedbank Golf Challenge.
“The fact that we also have the last three world number ones in our field in Luke Donald, Lee Westwood and Martin Kaymer makes it that much more special.”
Kaymer, winner of the 2010 PGA Championship, also leads a strong list of major winners in the field, including 2010 US Open champion Graeme McDowell, reigning Augusta champion Schwartzel and current Open champion Darren Clarke.
The field includes a total of seven Ryder Cup players in Westwood, Donald, Kaymer, McDowell, Clarke, Thomas Bjorn and Robert Karlsson. Schwartzel and Kim Kyung-Tae are also both in the International team for this year’s Presidents Cup in Australia.
American Jason Dufner, who came close to a maiden major this year when
he finished second to Keegan Bradley in the PGA Championship, joins
McDowell, Kaymer, Kim and Dyson as the players making their debut in
this year’s Nedbank Golf Challenge.
The 12-man field is:
Lee Westwood (England)
Martin Kaymer (Germany)
Charl Schwartzel (South Africa)
Graeme McDowell (Northern Ireland)
Darren Clarke (Northern Ireland)
Robert Karlsson (Sweden)
Thomas Bjorn (Denmark)
Simon Dyson (England)
Anders Hansen (Denmark)
Kim Kyung-Tae (South Korea)
Jason Dufner (USA)