Joburg Open

The Joburg Open was first contested in 2007 and boasts an impressive array of past winners such as Major champion Charl Schwartzel and multiple European Tour champions including: George Coetzee, Darren Fichardt, Branden Grace, Haydn Porteous, Richard Sterne and Andy Sullivan.

It last featured on the European Tour International Schedule in December 2017, when it formed part of the early 2018 season, and was won by India’s Shubhankar Sharma.

European Tour Chief Executive Keith Pelley said: “I am delighted to see the Joburg Open back on our schedule this year. We have a wonderful relationship with the Sunshine Tour stretching back over many years and this co-sanctioned tournament is another example of that.

“I want to express my sincere thanks and appreciation to Johann Rupert, Thomas Abt, Selwyn Nathan and everyone at the Sunshine Tour for their commitment in making this happen, in addition to the Executive Mayor and the City of Johannesburg for their help and support.”

Councillor Moloantoa Geoffrey Makhubo, the Executive Mayor of the City of Johannesburg, said: “We are delighted to announce the return of this world-class golf tournament to our world-class African city. Since the inception of this tournament in 2007, our vision has been that the Joburg Open must benefit all the residents of Johannesburg.

“Now more than ever, as our economy requires a boost following the COVID-19 lockdown and with our President publicly calling for a new business stimulus, the return of the Joburg Open is perfectly-timed to contribute significantly towards this cause as it brings a major international event to our city once again.”

Thomas Abt, Commissioner of the Sunshine Tour, said: “We are extremely pleased to welcome back the Joburg Open to our schedule in what is also a momentous moment for South African professional golf as we also welcome back international competition to our fairways after a lengthy break.

“I’d like to the thank the Mayor and the City of Johannesburg for so graciously supporting us for the duration of the South African Open’s hosting in Johannesburg, and we are delighted that we can announce the return of a much-loved tournament amongst the residents of Johannesburg.”

Firethorn Course

In the early 90’s as the course matured, a need came about for some enhancements, green modifications and aesthetical features to keep with the trends of the times. So came along an unheralded course architect Mark Muller, who probably had a very big impact on the future of this championship course. The greens being the predominant game changer, saw Randpark Club host the SA Open on two occasions, 1995 & 2000.

As the millennium struck, South Africa witnessed a massive movement towards estate courses. Every course popping up with the latest and greatest, really offering the golfing market with endless choices. Needless to say, Firethorn needed a facelift. Experienced designer Sean Quinn (Golf Data) transformed the Firethorn course into its original offering, a true test to the Professional golfer, yet friendly and forgiving enough to the everyday member.

Bushwillow Course

In April 2012, in celebration of its 60th birthday party, Bushwillow had undergone a small renovation, changing the layout somewhat and adding a couple of new green complexes.

Mike’s Picks

The team have been following Jacques for quite some time now and feel this is one of the best times of the year to play him. So he plays most of his golf on the Sunshine Tour of late but the last European Tour event he played in was the SA Open back in January, he gave a good account of himself over the four rounds and finished in a tie for 15^th place.

You only have to look at his past few events to see where his game is:

• Vodacom Championship – Sep 2020 – 4^th
• Sun Wild Coast – Oct 2020 – 2^nd
• Investec Royal – Oct 2020 – 6^th
• Times Square – Nov 2020 – 5^th

These were all three round events so the question will be, can he get the job done playing an extra round this week?

I think he can have a good week here great birdie machine won four times in his career and just needs that European Tour title to complete an impressive season so far.

Going £5EW with PP 80/1 paying 7 places 

I feel his game is even better now even though he went on a run of three missed cuts following the Irish Open, we followed him for most of the week at the Italian Open where he started with rounds of 64/68/68 and still had a solid 71 to close on Sunday to finish in a tie for 5^th place.

Coming back home this week he will be keen to start well and try and win this event this week for sure.

Key stats for winners around here have been driving distance, scrambling and putting. Dean ticks all these boxes and should be a great fit here.

Going for £5EW with Paddy Power paying 7 places    

He has had a couple of top ten’s in September and a solid performance at the European Tour event in the SA Open finishing in a tie for fourth place.

He has won nine times over his career but still looking for that break through on the European Tour.

What I like is reading some of the stats he is leading in on the Sunshine Tour that should hold him in good stead here.

• Betway Birdie Challenge – 1^st – 117 Birdies in 25 rounds
• Stroke Average – 70.16 – 6^th
• Total Versus Par – 34 Under Par – 2^nd

I am going with a £5EW bet here with Paddy Power 50/1 paying 7 places.  

So very interesting to see him at this price. He also had a good result last time he played this event where he finished in 13^th place.

Not much else to say other then he has been in South Africa getting used to this track for a while now and was one of the first players here out practicing. So will know the greens well and no one here is hitting there irons purer. Look out for a birdie feast for him this week.

Going with a £5EW bet with Paddy Power 28/1 paying 7 places.