Nedbank Golf Challenge preview

12 of the World’s best golfers, including Luke Donald, Martin Kaymer and defending champion Lee Westwood, have gathered in Sun City, South Africa this week to contest the 31st Nedbank Golf Challenge.

Lee Westwood defends
Fergus Bisset
By
published

Lowdown: 12 of the World's best golfers, including Luke Donald, Martin Kaymer and defending champion Lee Westwood, have gathered in Sun City, South Africa this week to contest the 31st Nedbank Golf Challenge. This year's Nedbank Challenge has attracted a stellar cast list. World Number 1 Luke Donald tops the billing while World numbers 3 and 4, Lee Westwood and Martin Kaymer will also tee it up. Masters champion Charl Schwartzel will make an appearance, as will British Open winner Darren Clarke. "I think it speaks volumes for the status of the Nedbank Golf Challenge that for the second year in succession we have been able to secure the world's number one golfer for our tournament," said Alastair Roper, the Tournament Director. "The fact that we also have the last three world number ones in our field in Luke Donald, Lee Westwood and Martin Kaymer makes it that much more special." The field for this year's tournament highlights the current strength of European golf on a world stage, with nine of the 12 players hailing from that continent. Other than those mentioned above, Graeme McDowell, Robert Karlsson, Simon Dyson, Francesco Molinari and Anders Hansen will compete. The other two international stars participating are: Jason Dufner of the USA and Korea's K.T. Kim. First contested in 1981, the Nedbank Challenge can boast an incredible rollcall of champions. Johnny Miller won the inaugural event and Seve Ballesteros, Bernhard Langer, Nick Faldo, Ernie Els, Sergio Garcia and Retief Goosen have all been winners. Last season Lee Westwood put on an imperious display to finish eight shots clear of Tim Clark. He posted a four round total of 17-uner-par to pick up the winner's cheque of $1.25 million.

Venue: The Gary Player Country Club, Sun City, South Africa Date: Dec 1-4 Course stats: par 72, 7,833 yards Purse: $5,000,000 Winner: $1,250,000 Defending Champion: Lee Westwood (-17)

TV Coverage: Thursday 1 - Live on Sky Sports 1 from 9am Friday 2 - Live on Sky Sports 1 from 9am Saturday 3 - Live on Sky Sports 3 from 9am Sunday 4 - Live on Sky Sports 2 from 9am

Player Watch: Lee Westwood - Last year's winner will be looking for a repeat performance. With the Dubai World Championship next week, the former World Number 1 will be looking for the perfect preparation here.

Charl Schwartzel - The talented South African won this year's US Masters with an incredible four birdie finish. He'll be hoping to join the great South Africans who have won this event in the past.

Francesco Molinari - He made it into the field courtesy of an injury to Thomas Bjorn. He'll look to make the very most of his opportunity. Key hole: 17th. At 478 yards, this is a highly daunting par 4. Water guards the entire left side, threatening for both drive and approach. The right side is guarded by sand from the tee and a sprawling bunker short, right of the green. It requires two long, accurate shots and a big number is always possible here. Walk off with a par and breathe a huge sigh of relief. Where next? European Tour: UBS Hong Kong Open preview Chevron World Challenge: Preview

Fergus Bisset
Fergus Bisset
Contributing Editor

Fergus is Golf Monthly's resident expert on the history of the game and has written extensively on that subject. He has also worked with Golf Monthly to produce a podcast series. Called 18 Majors: The Golf History Show it offers new and in-depth perspectives on some of the most important moments in golf's long history. You can find all the details about it here.

He is a golf obsessive and 1-handicapper. Growing up in the North East of Scotland, golf runs through his veins and his passion for the sport was bolstered during his time at St Andrews university studying history. He went on to earn a post graduate diploma from the London School of Journalism. Fergus has worked for Golf Monthly since 2004 and has written two books on the game; "Great Golf Debates" together with Jezz Ellwood of Golf Monthly and the history section of "The Ultimate Golf Book" together with Neil Tappin , also of Golf Monthly.

Fergus once shanked a ball from just over Granny Clark's Wynd on the 18th of the Old Course that struck the St Andrews Golf Club and rebounded into the Valley of Sin, from where he saved par. Who says there's no golfing god?

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