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Coetzee set to defend title

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George Coetzee will be hoping for a second win in a row. (Felix Dlangamandla)
George Coetzee will be hoping for a second win in a row. (Felix Dlangamandla)

Cape Town - Will George Coetzee be able to repeat the same feat that saw him win last year’s Dimension Data Pro-Am impressively?

He may get it once more this year when the Sunshine Tour event tees off at the Montagu course at Fancourt Golf Estate in the Western Cape from Thursday.

Last year, Coetzee birdied the 16th and 17th holes before an eagle on the 18th, earning himself a victory by -21 for 268.

Fancourt is usually tough to play on because of its tricky course layout – characterised by many bunkers – but Coetzee waved his magic wand, which enabled him to conquer the greens and win the event.

The golfer who also campaigns on the European Tour, where he has won three titles – the Joburg Open (2014), the Tshwane Open and the AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open (2015) – will be looking to win the showdown for the second year running.

Coetzee is likely to find the going tough, as he will be closely monitored by fellow South African Dean Burmester.

Conquer course

Burmester drew level with Coetzee for the better part of the final round last year. However, he dropped a shot in the 15th hole and had to settle for second place with -20 for 269.

Jaco van Zyl, winner of last year’s Eye of Africa PGA Championship, will be looking to make his mark at Fancourt. He is currently enjoying a great run on the fairways, as was the case last weekend when he came out tied seventh at the Omega Dubai Desert Classic on the European Tour.

Sunshine Tour CEO Selwyn Nathan said England’s Lee Westwood and Scotland’s Paul Lawrie would also take part in the Pro-Am contest.

Westwood won the Nedbank Golf Challenge in 2010 and 2011 and will be looking to conquer a South African course once again.

Lawrie lifted the US Open title in 2002.

“This year’s event promises more fireworks as more overseas players have entered to compete,” said Nathan.

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