The DP World Tour is back on the outskirts of the stunning Kruger National Park in South Africa as the Alfred Dunhill Championship returns after a two-year hiatus. Here are your five things to know.
The Alfred Dunhill Championship is back
In the 2020 season we were fortunate to have two editions of the Alfred Dunhill Championship but it was not held last year due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Now we are back and ready for one of the most eagerly anticipated weeks of the year at Leopard Creek Country Club. Anthony Wall won the first edition of the event in its current guise in 2000 - he would wait a record 16 years and 204 days for his next and final win - and the following year Adam Scott would lift the trophy, 12 years before he would go on to the win the Masters Tournament. Justin Rose claimed his first DP World Tour win in 2002 at this event which has also been won by fellow Major Champions Charl Schwartzel and Ernie Els.
Bezuidenhout defends
Just over two years ago, South African Christiaan Bezuidenhout won his second DP World Tour title at this event and a week later he would have his third as he won his national open. Since then he has become a truly international player, with a best PGA TOUR finish of second and a Presidents Cup appearance under his belt. He has finished in the top five in his last two DP World Tour appearances - both on home soil - as he looks to get back into the top 50 on the Official World Golf Ranking and secure a fourth consecutive Masters Tournament appearance.
Els set to delight home fans
There are few bigger names in South African golf than Ernie Els and the Big Easy will be a headline attraction this week. He won this title the first time it was staged at Leopard Creek 17 years ago for one of his 28 DP World Tour wins and four he claimed in 2005. He may concentrate on the seniors circuit nowadays but the 53-year-old has made the cut on both his his last two appearances in Melalane in 2018 and 2019 and big crowds will be willing him to make the weekend again.
Lawrence riding the wave
Thriston Lawrence arrives at Leopard Creek off the back of a victory at last week's Investec South African Open and the home favourite has been one of the most in-form players in the world over the last year. He is now up to 64th in the Official World Golf Ranking having been 555th just 13 months ago. His wins at the Joburg Open and Omega European Masters helped him finish 14th in the Rankings, securing the Sir Henry Cotton Rookie of the Year Award for 2022, and he currently sits atop of the Race to Dubai Rankings in Partnership with Rolex.
Take a walk on the wild side
The rich history of this event is not the only thing that draws a stellar field and big crowds, there is also the fantastic Kruger National Park. One of South Africa's biggest game reserves, the Kruger is home to the big five - lions, leopards, rhinos, elephants and buffalo - and many of the field will be venturing out before and after their rounds to possibly get a glimpse of some of nature's giants. And some of the animals that have wings or can swim often come and see the field, too.
