The so-called African Major is here. This Thursday, the Nedbank Golf Challenge kicks off in South Africa. An edition that changes dates in the DP World Tour calendar. The legendary South African player Gary Player returns as the ambassador of a high-profile tournament played in his honour.
Until last year, the Nedbank was the penultimate event on the calendar; from this season, it becomes the third event. So far, in the DP World Tour, two rookies have claimed the first trophies of the year, Elvis Smylie and Ryggs Johnston. Gary Player Country Club is a very demanding course where golfers will need to be at their best. It’s expected that this week will change the dynamics.
The South African event is very exclusive and features a reduced field of 66 players, including four Spaniards: Pablo Larrazábal, Nacho Elvira, Ángel Hidalgo, and Jorge Campillo. Of the four members of the Armada, Jorge Campillo in 2023 and 2019 and Nacho Elvira also in 2019, know what it’s like to finish just outside the top ten. Ángel Hidalgo makes his debut in Sun City. Adding his name to an event held under the auspices of the nine-time major champion is no small incentive.
Among the big names is the defending champion, Max Homa, who will seek to emulate the double achieved by Tommy Fleetwood in the previous two editions. Alongside the Californian, other big names invited to the event include Mackenzie Hugues, Will Zalatoris, Thomas Detry, Erik Van Rooyen, and Corey Conners.
The tournament boasts a purse of 6 million dollars, the largest prize of the season beyond the Rolex Series events. Such is the tournament’s significance that Pablo Larrazábal himself suggested on social media this week that the tournament winner should receive an invitation to the Masters. That’s how important this event is for the players.
Do you think the @AfricasMajor winner deserves a place at @TheMasters ? Not a bad call… the same as the @BMWPGA of course. Come on @garyplayer if someone can do it, is you Sir.
— Pablo Larrazabal (@plarrazabal) December 3, 2024
Since the tournament became part of the European Tour (2014 season), no Spaniard has managed to claim victory. However, the event’s history dates back to 1981, and both Seve Ballesteros and Sergio García have won the iconic course twice, which has hosted over a hundred professional events. The Pedreña native won it in 1983 and 1984 when it was played under the Nedbank Million Dollar Challenge format, and the Borriol native in 2001 and 2003 under the name of the Nedbank Golf Challenge.
Additionally, Sergio has two runner-up finishes since it became a DP World Tour event. Following the news that the Borriol native has agreed to regularise his situation with the European Tour, hopefully, we will soon see the Spaniard playing again on a course where he excels.
