Johannesburg - The South African Open has received another major boost with the inclusion of Swede Henrik Stenson in the field for the 15-18 November tournament at the Serengeti Golf & Wildlife Estate.
Stenson will join Martin Kaymer, Charl Schwartzel and Branden Grace in the 102nd playing of the game’s second oldest Open.
The former world No 4 requested a late invitation from the European Tour to play in the SA Open as he seeks to work his way back into the top 50 on the world ranking.
“I’m delighted to be playing in South Africa again. I have wonderful memories of the country and its people. The South African Open is also a tournament full of history, and with a strong field this year it’s a great opportunity for me to add a national Open to my list of career victories,” said Stenson.
Stenson heads to South Africa with a career including six European Tour titles, two PGA Tour titles and two Ryder Cup appearances.
And he is no stranger to winning on South African fairways. He claimed the 2008 Nedbank Golf Challenge by a staggering nine shots, and with a first round of 63. His total of 21 under par was also the third best in the history of this event.
Stenson has also proved himself quite adept at beating South African golfers, as he did in the 2006 BMW International Open when he beat Retief Goosen in a playoff, and the 2007 Dubai Desert Classic where he edged out Ernie Els by one stroke.
Stenson will tee it up in the South African Open with the hope of ending a victory drought stretching back to his last win in the 2009 Players Championship.
Stenson will join Martin Kaymer, Charl Schwartzel and Branden Grace in the 102nd playing of the game’s second oldest Open.
The former world No 4 requested a late invitation from the European Tour to play in the SA Open as he seeks to work his way back into the top 50 on the world ranking.
“I’m delighted to be playing in South Africa again. I have wonderful memories of the country and its people. The South African Open is also a tournament full of history, and with a strong field this year it’s a great opportunity for me to add a national Open to my list of career victories,” said Stenson.
Stenson heads to South Africa with a career including six European Tour titles, two PGA Tour titles and two Ryder Cup appearances.
And he is no stranger to winning on South African fairways. He claimed the 2008 Nedbank Golf Challenge by a staggering nine shots, and with a first round of 63. His total of 21 under par was also the third best in the history of this event.
Stenson has also proved himself quite adept at beating South African golfers, as he did in the 2006 BMW International Open when he beat Retief Goosen in a playoff, and the 2007 Dubai Desert Classic where he edged out Ernie Els by one stroke.
Stenson will tee it up in the South African Open with the hope of ending a victory drought stretching back to his last win in the 2009 Players Championship.