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The 6 SA golfers flying the flag at Augusta

Cape Town - The 83rd Masters Tournament gets under way at Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Georgia on Thursday.

This year there will be SIX South Africans in the 87-man field.

Trevor Immelman and Charl Schwartzel have both donned the green jacket previously - winning in 2008 and 2011, respectively.

Other South Africans in the field include 2010 Open Championship Louis Oosthuizen, world No 44 Branden Grace, and making their Masters debuts, Justin Harding and amateur Jovan Rebula.

Sport24 takes a closer look at the six who will fly the SA flag:

Trevor Immelman

Age - 39

World ranking - 461

Best Masters - Winner (2008)

Immelman gets an automatic entry in the Masters field for the rest of his career after edging Tiger Woods in 2008.

The South African has struggled ever since winning the green jacket and has now made a second career as a Golf Channel commentator.

Immelman has failed to make the weekend at Augusta National in five consecutive years.

He tees off in Round 1 on Thursday alongside German Martin Kaymer and American amateur Devon Bling at 17:37 SA time.

trevor immelman


Charl Schwartzel

Age - 34

World ranking - 104

Best Masters - Winner (2011)

Schwartzel is the last South African to don the green jacket after his two-stroke win in 2011.

Eight years later, Schwartzel has struggled with his game leading up to this year's first Major, which has seen the former champion drop outside of the world's Top 100 rankings.

Nonetheless, Schwartzel would be hoping to prove some of his critics wrong this week.

Schwartzel tees off in Round 1 on Thursday alongside American Charles Howell II and Englishman Eddie Pepperell at 15:47 SA time.

charl schwartzel


Louis Oosthuizen

Age - 36

World ranking - 19

Best Masters - 2 (2012)

Oosthuizen heads into Augusta as South Africa's top-ranked golfer and in red-hot form.

The reigning SA Open champion has come off with back-to-back Top 5 finishes on Tour - the Valspar Championship and the WGC-Match Play.

After losing to Bubba Watson in a playoff hole in 2012, Oosthuizen will be looking to secure his first Major win since his 2010 Open Championship triumph at St. Andrews.

Oosthuizen tees off in Round 1 alongside American Charley Hoffman and Australia's Marc Leishman at 16:42 SA time.

louis oosthuizen


Branden Grace

Age - 30

World ranking - 44

Best Masters - T18 (2013)

Grace has always been tipped as the next South African to win a Major and although he has fared well, he has somehow battled at Augusta National.

The eight-time European Tour winner has failed to make the cut in three of his six Masters appearances.

Grace tees off in Round 1 on Thursday alongside Argentine Emiliano Grillo and Dane Lucas Bjerregaard at 15:36 SA time. 

branden grace


Justin Harding

Age - 33

World ranking - 49

Best Masters - Debut

Making his Masters debut this year, Harding has been one of the most consistent golfers this season.

He secured victories on all three Tours (Sunshine, Asian and European Tour) and saw his world ranking rise from 712th to 49th in the space of two years.

Harding tees off in Round 1 on Thursday alongside Argentine Angel Cabrera and American Aaron Wise at 15:03 SA time.

justin harding


Jovan Rebula

Age - 21

World ranking - Amateur

Best Masters - Debut

Nephew of four-time Major winner Ernie Els, Rebula will be competing in his first Masters tournament this week.

Rebula is one of six amateurs playing at Augusta and qualified after winning the British Amateur Championship last year.

He tees off in Round 1 on Thursday alongside Fijian Vijay Singh and American Billy Horschel at 18:43 SA time.

Jovan Rebula

Images: Getty/Gallo Images

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