Ahead of the Tshwane Open – the eighth and final South African stop on The 2014 Race to Dubai – europeantour.com stats man Steve Doughty picked out five to watch out for at Copperleaf Golf & Country Estate this week…
Grégory Bourdy
Has a fine recent record in European Tour events staged in South Africa. In his last five events in the country he was tied third in the 2013 Alfred Dunhill Championship, tied second in the 2013 Africa Open, tied 16th in the 2014 Joburg Open and tied 20th in the 2014 Africa Open.
George Coetzee
Local man as he hails from Pretoria. Fresh off winning his maiden European Tour title at the 2014 Joburg Open and is the highest ranked player in the Official World Golf Ranking competing this week at 53rd. Gained his best finish in a World Golf Championships event at last week’s WGC – Accenture Match Play Championship, when he finished tied ninth, reaching the third round. Has placed in the top nine in his last four European Tour events. Was tied fourth in the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship, tied fifth in the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters, first in the Joburg Open and tied ninth in the WGC – Accenture Match Play Championship.
Darren Fichardt
Like Coetzee was born in nearby Pretoria and is attached to the Centurion Golf Club, close to the Els Copperleaf Golf & Country Estate. Local knowledge may prove an advantage and was second in the 2013 Tshwane Open. His last European Tour victory was on home soil at the 2013 Africa Open. Was fifth in this year’s Africa Open, his last European Tour event. Has played ten tournaments on The 2014 Race to Dubai, the equal most along with Dawie Van der Walt. Was also tenth in the 2014 Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship.
Hennie Otto
Looking for his first European Tour victory since the 2011 SA Open Championship. He won that title at Serengeti Golf & Wildlife Estate – a venue which is also at altitude. When he won the SA Open Championship Serengeti measured 7,761 yards. This week’s Els layout is the longest in European Tour history at 7,964 yards. Came close to winning a second SA Open crown this season, finishing tied second. Has been very consistent this season so far. From his six events on the 2014 Schedule he has yet to finish below 37th – a place he has occupied in his last three European Tour events. Is a total of 46 under par for his first six events.
Romain Wattel
Although yet to win on The European Tour, has come close to entering the winners’ circle three times this season. Was tied third in the Alfred Dunhill Championship, fourth in the Nelson Mandela Championship presented by ISPS Handa and tied third in the Omega Dubai Desert Classic – his last European Tour event. Has the joint most top five finishes to date this season. Was tied tenth in the 2013 Tshwane Open and is a total of 50 under par for his six events this season.
Will these chosen five make your team for this week’s instalment of the Fantasy Race to Dubai game? If you haven’t yet signed up for the competition, which offers weekly, monthly and season-long prizes, head over to create your team now…
