Three places at the Open Championship are up for grabs at the Investec South African Open this week.
The event in Durban is part of the qualifying series for the 153rd Open at Royal Portrush in July, with spots on offer for the three leading players not already exempt who make the cut.
Home favourite Dean Burmester returns to defend the title he won in December 2023 when he finished on 11 under par, three shots clear of Renato Paratore, Jesper Svensson and compatriot Ryan van Velzen.
Fifteen months later the competition is back at Durban Country Club for the first time since 2010 and Burmester is looking forward to the opportunity to retain his crown.
“It’s special be back home, special to be here for this week. The South African Open is our proudest trophy,” Burmester told the DP World Tour website.
“It is our old lady at the old lady, Durban Country Club. There is nothing more special than that. It’s amazing to be here and to be able to defend.
“It’s special to be on that trophy and have my name next to the likes of Ernie (Els), Gary (Player), Bobby Locke and so forth, so many great champions of this event.”
CHALLENGES IN DURBAN
Burmester’s triumph last time came a week after winning the Joburg Open and three of his four DP World Tour wins have come in South Africa.
Looking ahead to the challenges at Durban Country Club, he added: “To win you’re going to have to master the conditions of wind, bouncy fairways, tough rough and everything this week. It’s a true test of golf.
“It’s a true test of South African golf. Beach style, next to the ocean. If you want to test your game out, it’s great for us at the Highveld and South Africans growing up on that.
“We have proven that we can win there, but now we are going to have to take on a world-class field in our own backyard next to the sea. We’ll see what happens.”
Fresh from his win at last week’s Magical Kenya Open, South African Jacques Kruyswijk is also in the field, along with England’s John Parry, the runner-up from that event. Parry’s compatriot Laurie Canter and South Africa’s Jayden Schaper are also involved.
Parry has enjoyed an impressive run of form so far this season, having recorded a win and two runner-up finishes in three appearances in Africa to lie second in the Race to Dubai rankings, one place behind compatriot Tyrrell Hatton.
