Five things to know as the European Tour returns to Leopard Creek for the Alfred Dunhill Championship
South African Swing continues
The 21st edition Alfred Dunhill Championship continues the South African swing this week, marking the second tournament in a row to be co-sanctioned by the European Tour and Sunshine Tour. Next week’s South Africa Open will complete the trio of events.
The tournament is particularly unique this year as it is the second time it will be held on the 2019-2020 schedule, having been the opening event of the season during Pablo Larrazábal’s dramatic victory last December.
Larrazábal defends
Pablo Larrazábal will make his return to Leopard Creek almost a year after producing a thrilling back-nine comeback to end a four-year winless drought.
Larrazábal, who became the third Spaniard to win the title, held a three-shot lead going into last year’s final round but limped to a front-nine 41 as he struggled with terrible blisters on his feet that left him nearly unable to walk. He managed to recover with three birdies on his final four holes to win by a single stroke on what he called ‘the toughest day of my golf career’.
Stunning surroundings
Nestled on the southern edge of Kruger National Park, the Gary Player-designed Leopard Creek Country Club is considered one of the most spectacular venues on the European Tour International Schedule, with the par five 13th, which runs alongside Crocodile River, among the most memorable holes in golf.
The destination’s breath-taking surroundings mean that players share the fairways with a variety of wildlife, including hippos, crocodiles, buffalos and even elephants.
An impressive history
Leopard Creek is a venue celebrated for boasting an impressive list ofwinners, which includes several Major champions, Ryder Cup and Presidents Cup stars.
For three of those players, the Alfred Dunhill Championship signified a career milestone as their maiden European Tour victory. Adam Scott won for the first time during the second edition in 2001, Justin Rose a year later in 2002, and Charl Schwartzel in 2004. Schwartzel is the only four-time winner of the event, having added three more titles in 20012, 2013 and 2015.
Inside the field
The Alfred Dunhill Championship at Leopard Creek Country Club will have its own “Big Five” in the field this year as five former champions make their returns.
Larrazábal will be joined by 2016 champion Brandon Stone, who finished fourth at last week’s Joburg Open, as well as Richard Sterne, Alvaro Quiros and Germany’s Marcel Siem.
Stone is one of several South African’s hoping to make an impact this week. In addition to in-form Shaun Norris, Dean Burmester and Christiaan Bezuidenhout, big hitting Wilco Nienaber will look to go one better after finishing runner-up at last week’s Joburg Open.
Meanwhile, Robert MacIntyre makes his first start since claiming his maiden victory at the Aphrodite Hills Cyprus Showdown, returning to Leopard Creek for the first time since he finished in a tie for 15th place in 2018. He is joined by Eddie Pepperell, who also finished inside the top 20 in his last start here, making his first start since following up two top tens with a tied 16th finish at the AXA Scottish Championship.
