The competition is fierce in this year’s Joburg Open International Golf Tournament, currently being played on the immaculate fairways of the leafy Houghton Golf Club in the posh northern Joburg suburb of the same name. Former title holders and top golfers from across the globe have been competing for the coveted trophy and a prize purse of one million euros (R 17 500 000) since the tournament began on Thursday, 24 November.

On the first day of play, England’s Dan Bradbury led the leader board with an eight-under-par 63.

“I looked at the leader board before teeing off and knew there would be a few birdies out there,” Bradbury said.

Nick Bachem was right on Bradbury’s tail in second place on the leader board with a seven-under-par 64, and Romain Langasque was third with a 65.

Defending champion Thriston Lawrence was in the top 10 after the first round, posting a five-under-par 66.

Joachim Hansen of Denmark, the tournament’s 2020 champion, is excited to return to the greens with high hopes of clinching yet another win.

If Hansen’s bid is successful, he will become only the third golfer since the tournament’s inception in 2007 to win it twice.

The Joburg Open has only been won twice by Charl Schwartzel (2010 and 2011) and Richard Sterne (2008 and 2013).

Hansen wrapped up the first day of play with a promising 70. “I’m hoping to adjust to these greens and give it my all to win.”

Sami Valimaki, who won the invite-only Pro-Am on Tuesday, 22 November, shot a five-under-par 66.

Other former Joburg Open champions who have returned to play in the 2022 tournament are George Coetzee, who claimed victory in 2014, and two-time winner Sterne.

The first round of play was called off for the day at 5:11pm due to dangerous weather conditions.

Round one continues on Friday, 25 November, and round two will tee-off after the first round concludes at 7:15am.

Players who make the cut will advance to the third round on Saturday, 26 November, and the tournament winner will be announced on Sunday, 27 November.

Executive Mayor Cllr Mpho Phalatse, who officially opened the tournament by hitting the ceremonial tee shot at 6am on Thursday, is upbeat about the tournament’s positive outcomes.

“We are very excited for such global events to be held in the City of Johannesburg, with approximately 50 countries watching the tournament,” Mayor Phalatse said after hitting the opening shot.

She added that the City is thrilled to host events of this calibre.

“We are excited about the talent that will be revealed throughout the tournament to showcase our beautiful City,” she said.

The Joburg Open International Golf Tournament is co-sanctioned by the Sunshine Tour and the DP World Tour.

Written by Brümilda Swartbooi and Getrude Mamabolo

25/11/2022