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Vd Berg eyes title defence

Johannesburg - Defending champion Ulrich van den Berg is confident he can put up a good title defence at the BMG Classic starting at Glendower Golf Club on Friday.

Van den Berg comes into the Sunshine Tour event fresh off a sixth place finish last week in Port Elizabeth.

"When I come back to courses that I love, my confidence grows," said Van den Berg on Thursday.

Despite the home course advantage, Van den Berg said there would be a number of players to watch out for during the three-round event.

"It's always nice to be defending a title, but it's been a year.

"There are a lot of good players here this week and you have to bring your A game.

"Guys like Darren Fichardt, Thomas Aiken, Trevor Fisher Jnr, Merrick Bremner, anybody can win if it's their week."

Van den Berg played in the Alfred Dunhill Links in Scotland on the European Tour two weeks ago where he missed the cut. But the 39-year-old was quick to say his game had since improved.

He said hitting fairways would again be the key to contending on the testing layout.

"This is a good driving course, if you drive the ball well you can score.

"I've put a lot of emphasis on putting the driver in good positions this week."

With windy conditions around Johannesburg in the last week, scoring may not be as low as it was last year where Van den Berg won on 15 under.

"If the wind keeps blowing, scoring will be tough, full-stop.

"The par fives gives you a good look in. And if you do drive the ball well, there are a lot of par fours where you can capitalise.

"If you don't play well, this course will quickly bite you, and if you play well you'll be rewarded."

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