In terms of winning golf titles, South Africans have made it their own. For the last five years, five sons of the soil have won the Investec South African Open Championship. As the DP World Tour’s opening segment continues in South Africa, who will win it this time?

The 113th edition of the tournament will be played at the Blair Atholl Golf & Equestrian Estate near Johannesburg from November 30 to December 3, 2023. Thriston Lawrence is the defending champion, who dramatically clinched the title by a stroke last year. However, he is the bookmakers’ second favorite this term. Another South African, Dean Burmester, has been billed as the top favorite.

Details of South African Open Championship

The tournament has a field of 156 professional golfers and will be played over 72 holes. As the event is being co-hosted by the DP World Tour and the Sunshine Tour, the four-day show will have a mixture of players. Apart from Burmester and Lawrence, keep an eye on the likes of Dan Bradbury, Ewen Ferguson and Charl Schwartzel.

The total prize money is $1.5 million, with the winner getting $255,000. Additionally, a $100,000 Order of Merit prize will be given this year. In the United States, NBC’s Golf Channel will telecast the South African Open Championship, while in the United Kingdom, it will be on Sky Sports Golf.

The American viewers will get to see the event from 5-10 am (ET) on Thursday and Friday, 5-9.30 am on Saturday, and 4.30-9.30 am on Sunday. The UK audience can catch the action from 10 am (GMT) on the first three days and from 2.30 pm on Sunday.

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The Blair Atholl Golf & Equestrian Estate in Johannesburg is a par-72 course. At 8,233 yards, it is the longest on the DP World Tour. The Gary Player-designed course offers different challenges, and the heat could be a problem for the players. For the locals, tickets are available from 150 South African Rand, which is equivalent to $8.

Thriston Lawrence gears up to defend title

“Investec is an organisation firmly rooted in South Africa and, as title sponsor of both South African Opens on the Sunshine Tour and Sunshine Ladies Tour, we believe we can continue to contribute to a game so many are passionate about,” Peta Dixon, Investec head of sponsorships, told the in-house media.

Meanwhile, Lawrence is geared up to defend his title. He told the Investec website: “This is the one you want to win – your national Open. It was so special to have Gary Player watching as well. He’s won 13 of these, and now I’ve got one as well. I grew up watching it on TV and always wanted to win it, especially with all the names on that trophy and the history behind it. It’s what you dream of.”

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