Euro Tour back for 2008 at Joburg Open
BY Bruce Young | European PGA Tour | 2008 Joburg Open | Preview | 09 Jan 2008
The European Tour’s opening event of the calendar year 2008 takes place in Johannesburg this week when the co-sanctioned Joburg Open is played for the second occasion at the Royal Johannesburg and Kensington Golf Clubs.
While South Africa’s superstars of golf are not present this week, there are many high quality South Africans along with an eclectic mix of players from around the world looking to take advantage of the reduced strength of the field.
The two layouts at this golfing complex, East and West Courses, will be used over the opening two days providing the opportunity for an expanded field of 204 players prior to the cut where the top 65 will move through to the weekend. The East Course is the more well known of the two, having hosted significant events in South African golf on a number of occasions.
The defending champion is Argentinian Ariel Canete who, other than his win twelve months ago, had a very ordinary season on the European Tour in 2007. The 32-year-old has missed the cut in his last three starts so a repeat win here would be a surprise.
The tournament favourite is likely to be the leading world ranked player in the field (#44), 26-year-old Richard Sterne. While not exactly setting the world on fire, Richard Sterne had his best season in 2007 and has played solidly in his last few events. He has the credentials to be considered one of the leading chances.
Charles Schwartzel, at 86 in the world is the second leading world ranked player in the field this week. The 2007 Spanish Open winner is a proven winner at home also and despite inconsistent form in his recent events there has been enough to make him a leading prospect on paper. He finished 19th in this event twelve months ago and better can be expected this week.
James Kingston looks to back up his win at the recent South African Airways Open with a victory in an event he lead after 36 holes last year. Despite his lowly world ranking of 155, his South African Open victory proved he can compete with the very best and the field he faces this week is considerably weaker than that at Pearl Valley.
Darren Clarke gave every indication that he is on the right track to form recovery with a very impressive third place at the South African Open. That followed one or two other encouraging performances just prior to that event.
Given his liking for golf in the Republic, this week provides a great chance to perhaps return to the winner’s circle for the first time since his victory at the Visa Taiheiyo event in Japan in late 2005. At his best Clarke is amongst the top players in the world, which is something not many in this field can boast.
Ross McGowan arrives in South Africa off a very successful season on the Challenge Tour in 2007, his first full season as a professional. The University of Tennessee graduate and 2006 English Amateur Champion is clearly a very talented player with a lot of promise and after two wins on the Challenge Tour in 2007 a win in this event is not beyond him. On the same basis it may also pay to keep a watch on the winner of the 2007 European Tour School Martin Wiegele
Of the Australasian contingent, there are several taking advantage of the relatively flexible entry criteria this week.
Scott Barr, Steve Alker and Terry Pilkadaris fit very much into that category but Gareth Paddison gets his chance as a full European Tour card holder and the left handed Wellingtonian now has the opportunity in 2008 to realise some of the potential he has often displayed.
