A quality event won by the likes of Adam Scott, Ernie Els, Charl Schwartzel and Louis Oosthuizen, the usual venue of Leopard Creek is being given a year off to rejuvenate with Royal Johannesburg this year’s host.
Key Stats/Skill Set Required
- GIR
- Strokes Gained: Approach
- Scrambling
- Birdie or Better
- Putting Average
Royal Johannesburg is a long course but one that won’t play nearly as long as it suggests due to the altitude. The key to success here is a strong approach game and being able to go low.
Key Correlation Courses/Tournaments
- Qatar Masters
- Abu Dhabi Championship
- Dubai Desert Classic
BEST BET
JAYDEN SCHAPER
Youngster Jayden Schaper is absolutely airborne at present and looks a super bet to win this tournament. He finished 2nd in the Nedbank last week and has finished Top 23 in six of his last seven. His Middle East form is exceptional with Top 25 finishes in the three correlation tournaments this year. Ranks 6th in Scrambling and 15th in GIR.
BEST VALUE
JOOST LUITEN
Dutch icon Joost Luiten has been in super form and can break a long run of outs here. He ranks 9th in Strokes Gained: Approach and 13th in GIR as well as 19th in Birdie or Better. He has Top 16 finishes in four of his last six.
JOHN PARRY
Top 25s in this year’s Qatar Masters and Abu Dhabi Championship make John Parry a player here. He ranks 5th in Strokes Gained: Approach and 18th in GIR. He is playing well with Top 28 finishes in five of his last six starts.
BEST ROUGHIES
BRANDON STONE
Veteran South African who finished T-4 the last time he played this course in the 2017 Joburg Open. He ranks 10th in Strokes Gained: Approach and 20th in GIR. He finished Top 20 in the 2024 Abu Dhabi Championship.
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 Birdie or Better, Scrambling and Putting Average. He was super at the Nedbank when coming fifth.