This tournament played at the Gary Player Country Club in Sun City, South Africa traces its roots back to 1981 and has been won by some of the game’s greats including inaugural winner Johnny Miller, Raymond Floyd, Seve Balleteros, Bernhard Langer, Nick Price, Nick Faldo, Ernie Els, Lee Westwood and Tommy Fleetwood. This is a tournament generally referred to as ‘Africa’s major’.
Key Stats/Skill Set Required
- Par 5 Scoring
- Driving Distance
- Strokes Gained: Off The Tee
- GIR
- Strokes Gained: Approach
- Scrambling
- Bogey Avoidance
- Putting Average
Gary Player Country Club is a course that rewards bombers who can take advantage of the long holes. A strong approach game is very helpful but one needs a strong all-round game to go well.
Key Correlation Courses/Tournaments
- Qatar Masters
- Open de France
BEST BET
GARRICK HIGGO
South African native Garrick Higgo has proven himself to be an out-and-out winner and looks a tremendous bet to return home and win his most important national tournament. A two-time PGA Tour winner and three-time DP World Tour winner, he has enjoyed a great year winning the Corales Puntacana Championship. He is absolutely airborne with four straight Top 7 finishes on the PGA Tour. He has a wonderful profile ranking 2nd in Bogey Avoidance, 5th in Putting Average, 7th in Scrambling, 18th in GIR and 19th in Driving Distance. Clear top selection.
BEST VALUE
ANGEL AYORA
A win is coming soon for the big hitting Spaniard and it could be this week. He has a lovely profile and can show up on debut. He ranks 4th in Strokes Gained: Off The Tee, 6th in Par 5 Scoring, 10th in Driving Distance and 19th in Bogey Avoidance. He is in great form with five Top 10 finishes in his last six tournaments.
LAURIE CANTER
Underrated veteran Laurie Canter has learned to win over the last two years and can add to his tally here. He has won in each of the last two seasons and he is playing some elite golf with Top 3 finishes in two of his last three starts. Canter ranks 11th in Strokes Gained: Off The Tee and 14th in GIR.
BEST ROUGHIES
JOHN PARRY
A Top 25 in this year’s Qatar Masters suggests John Parry should like Sun City and he has a profile that puts him right in the mix. He ranks 5th in Strokes Gained: Approach, 13th in Bogey Avoidance and 18th in GIR.
SHAUN NORRIS
South African veteran Shaun Norris has been a prolific winner over his career with 12 victories including two on the DP World Tour and two in the last 12 months. He ranks Top 20 in Bogey Avoidance, Scrambling and Putting Average.