Share

SA golf stars to chase historic South African Open glory at Blair Atholl

accreditation
0:00
play article
Subscribers can listen to this article
South African golfer Daniel van Tonder (Gallo Images)
South African golfer Daniel van Tonder (Gallo Images)
Carl Fourie/Gallo Images

South African golf's biggest stars will be back on local fairways this December as they compete for South African Open glory at Blair Atholl Golf and Equestrian Estate in Lanseria.

Charl Schwartzel, Dean Burmester, Dylan Frittelli, MJ Daffue, Brandon Stone, Erik van Rooyen, Thriston Lawrence, Oliver Bekker, Shaun Norris and defending champion Daniel van Tonder have all confirmed their participation in the second oldest national Open from 1-4 December.

The SA Open returns to the DP World Tour schedule after last year's tournament was downgraded to a sole Sunshine Tour event due to the then-rise of the omicron variant. 

PGA Tour golfer Dylan Frittelli returns once again to challenge for his home title, which he feels is essential to his career.

"The South African Open is the biggest tournament in the world for me right now besides a Major. It means so much to me," said Frittelli.

"It was the first professional tournament I ever played. I qualified when I was 16 years old. I definitely want to win my national Open before my playing career is over. I think my career will be incomplete if I don't do that."

The South African Open will see also some LIV golfers make their appearance in the prestigious event, including Schwartzel, Norris and Bekker.

Bekker hopes to go one better after finishing runner-up to Van Tonder at last year's SA Open at the Gary Player Country Club.

"It's our home Open and I would really like to have my name on that trophy with the likes of Ernie Els and Gary Player and all of the South African golf legends. After coming so close last year I'm really looking forward to playing well on home soil and hopefully to have a chance of lifting that trophy."

Lawrence, who soared to his second DP World Tour title in August, says that he is looking forward to returning home to compete in a championship that he has been watching since he was young.

"I can't wait for this year's South African Open. What an historic event," said Lawrence.

"It's a tournament I'll always support because I grew up watching it on TV and have always wanted to win it, especially with all the names on that trophy and the history behind it. I'd obviously love to win it and will give it my all."

South Africans can purchase their tickets for the co-sanctioned tournament with ticket prices ranging from R150 for the opening and second round on Thursday and Friday.

Then for the third and final round (Saturday and Sunday), ticket prices range from R300. SA fans will be get 50 percent discount if they purchase tickets before the end of October.

The festivities will include a big screen in the tournament village for sports fans to be able to keep up with the latest FIFA World Cup action. There will also be a Golf Expo Centre featuring the very latest in golf equipment.

Fans will be able to have their photo taken with the iconic Investec South African Open trophy, and the youngest golf fans will have their own dedicated kid’s area to keep them entertained.

The tournament village will include a food and drinks market as well as a Stella Artois beer garden. And a Saturday afternoon music concert will provide the perfect way to relax after the third-round action and prepare for an epic final round.


We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Voting Booth
Should the Proteas pick Faf du Plessis for the T20 World Cup in West Indies and the United States in June?
Please select an option Oops! Something went wrong, please try again later.
Results
Yes! Faf still has a lot to give ...
68% - 2738 votes
No! It's time to move on ...
32% - 1285 votes
Vote
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE