Pablo Larrazábal labelled the Alfred Dunhill Championship "the best week of the year" ahead of his title defence at the stunning Leopard Creek Country Club.
The Spaniard produced a sensational comeback in the closing stages of the final round to win his fifth European Tour title at the first event of the 2020 Race to Dubai campaign last December.
He had gone into the last day three shots clear but struggled with blisters and swing problems throughout his round and carded six bogeys and a double bogey to fall three shots behind at one stage.
However, Larrazábal finished with a flourish, firing three birdies in his last four holes to become the latest Spanish winner of the tournament, following in the footsteps of Alvaro Quiros and two time champion Pablo Martin Benavides.
The 37-year-old was a huge fan of Leopard Creek even before his victory in Malelane, and says being able to play golf there is a "dream come true".
Ahead of the second tournament of the three week South African Swing, Larrazábal said: "It was special the way everything happened last year.
"Everything that I love in life is here. The best nature and the best golf courses combined makes this place a dream place.
"We are fortunate people. As bad as this year has been for all the world, to be able to come to places like this - especially this place - we are so lucky.
"It doesn't matter how good we play this week, it's just the best week of the year. It's a dream come true just to come here and play the game of golf."
Austrian Matthias Schwab is making his debut appearance at Leopard Creek and he has been impressed by the venue for this week's event.
"It's very nice to be here, it's my first time," he said.
"I've heard a lot of good things from some of the other guys and it's amazing.
"We just saw an elephant just off the course.
"I love nature. I live in the mountains in Austria so I'm in nature a lot there too but it's completely different here, it's awesome."
