Cape Town - Dean Burmester won't be defending his title at the Tshwane Open this week, but will be embarking on an exciting challenge in Mexico.
Burmester is part of the stellar 65-player field at the World Golf Championship in Mexico City starting on Thursday.
The 28-year-old received his invitation due to being second in the Sunshine Tour's Order of Merit.
Burmester says that although he is sad not to be at Pretoria Country Club, he is excited to play and possibly cause an upset.
"Very sad not to be defending but a big event like this I can't turn down," Burmester told Sport24.
World No 1 Dustin Johnson will be defending his title at the Club de Golf Chapultepec this week with the players all vying to lift up the Gene Sarazen Cup.
Five other South Africans including Branden Grace, Charl Schwartzel, Louis Oosthuizen, Dylan Frittelli and Brandon Stone will also be teeing off in the tournament.
Burmester is coming into the tournament with solid form after a fourth-placed finish at the Dimension Data Pro-Am and believes that Mexico is the perfect opportunity to boost his career.
"I feel like I'm playing really well, my fourth-place finish in the Di-Data Pro-Am was a nice boost for me and a good weekend was great for me," said the South African.
"I have come to Mexico to try and change my career and my life so that is my plan. I'm excited to compete with some of the worlds best again and test my game against theirs."