South African Airways Open kicks off 2003

BY Bruce Young | European PGA Tour | 2003 South African Airways Open | Preview | 06 Jan 2003

While it may not be the first event of the 2003 European Tour season, the 2003 South African Airways Open is the first event of 2003 on the European Tour. While you are working that one out let’s look at the event.

Played this year at the Erinvale Golf Club in Capetown, the South African Open is an event steeped in tradition. First played in 1893 the event is considered one of the oldest in world golf but has been a co-sanctioned European Tour event only since 1997.

Defending champion will be Tim Clark, the South African US Tour player ranked 58th in the world who, by default, becomes one of the leading South Africans in the event this year. I say, by default, as Els and Goosen will be in Hawaii at the Mercedes Championship.

Leading players include Paul Lawrie, Lee Westwood, Justin Rose and South African Trevor Immelman, who is slowly but surely realising the potential he displayed as an amateur plus 2002 European Tour Rookie of the Year, Nick Dougherty.

The reason the event is not the first event of the 2003 season is that the BMW Asian Open and the Hong Kong Open were played late last year as part of the 2003 European Tour season.

No Australians or New Zealanders are in the field.

The event starts on Thursday January 9th and is worth €770,000.