A massive downpour has flooded a large part of the Duban Country Club, the historic course inaugurated in 1922, which this week hosts the South African Open. The storm’s magnitude has rendered the course unplayable, especially the back nine holes, leaving no choice but to cancel the Pro Am. Additionally, no practice was allowed on the course throughout the day. Obviously, with 24 hours before the tournament begins, such news disrupts all the players’ preparations.
Jorge Campillo, for example, will start playing this Thursday without having hit a single shot on the course. The Extremaduran, as is often the case on the DP World Tour, was one of those selected to play in the Pro Am, so he was relying on Wednesday’s round to test the course, take notes, and make final adjustments. It wasn’t possible. Adding to this situation is the fact that for many, including himself, it’s a new course, never having played it before, so he has to improvise and adapt to the new situation. It’s not usual, but it won’t be the first time in his career. What he has done with his caddie Jesús Legarrea is walk the course. Other Spaniards have only played nine holes. Be that as it may, there’s no time for regrets. The tournament starts tomorrow, and what has happened has been the same for everyone.
The worst of the water has affected the fairways of holes 16, 8, and 9. From early morning, extraction pumps were working flat out to try to dry the fairways. It won’t be easy. Some even speculated that hole 16 might become a par 3 due to the inability to use the fairway. What is certain is that the tournament’s start is delayed by three hours. Play will begin, barring further notice, at half-past nine in the morning local time. The best news of all is that no more rain is expected this Thursday. A respite that will be beneficial to have the course ready and avoid further problems later on.
The course, as we already indicated in Ten Golf, is quite short, but that doesn’t directly mean it’s easy. It defends well because it’s very narrow, and if you miss the fairway, you have serious problems. If you miss by a lot, in fact, in some cases, it’s a lost ball one hundred percent. For this reason, we’ll see fewer drivers from the tee than usual. It’s a week for placing the ball. The greens are in very good condition, the ball rolls very well, although with the rain that has fallen, it’s logical that in the afternoon, at least this Thursday, they might suffer a bit with the footsteps.
As for the wind, not much is expected on Thursday and Friday, but on Saturday, it does pick up a bit and can be quite noticeable in the afternoon. Gusts above 35 kilometres per hour are expected. There could be a good moving day on the third day. On Sunday, on the other hand, something similar to the first two days is expected. At least, that’s what the forecast says at the moment.
We have seven Spaniards in contention, plus Joel Moscatel, who is the first reserve waiting for a withdrawal. The Armada will have to fight against the curse that haunts Spanish golf in this tournament and, above all, against the South Africans, the great dominators. In fact, the last six winners of the South African Open are locals. The defending champion is Dean Burmester, also present this edition along with other LIV players like Charl Schwartzel or Branden Grace. Louis Oosthuizen is not present.
