Two-time Masters champion Bubba Watson will play in the Nedbank Golf Challenge for the first time. The tournament takes place at Sun City from 3 to 6 December, IOL Sport reported.
The American is the fourth Major champion added to this year’s field. The event, played in honour of Gary Player, will be held at the revamped Gary Player Country Club.
“When you travel the world playing golf, South Africa is one of those places you always want to go back to,” Watson said.
Watson won the Masters in 2012 and again in 2014. He is also a former world number two.
He joins current US Open champion Wyndham Clark and two former US Open champions, Bryson DeChambeau and Justin Rose. IOL Sport called the line-up the strongest field in recent Nedbank Golf Challenge history.
Watson praised the local love of the game. “The people there live for golf and sports and the country has produced so many great players over the years. You can feel that passion every time you step on the course,” he said.
He said he also enjoyed the animals he could see on a visit. “And also, getting to see the wildlife while you’re there is just awesome. I’m really looking forward to coming back for the Nedbank Golf Challenge and seeing the fans again,” Watson said.
Americans have won the tournament many times. Johnny Miller won the first event in 1981. Raymond Floyd, Corey Pavin, Jim Furyk and Max Homa have also lifted the trophy, and Johannes Veerman is the most recent American named among the winners.
Two South Africans have also been added to the field. They are Branden Grace, a multiple DP World Tour winner, and PGA Tour winner Aldrich Potgieter.
Grace won the Nedbank Golf Challenge in 2017. He is the last South African to win the tournament.
He has nine wins on the DP World Tour. He also holds the record for the lowest round in men’s Major Championship history, a 62 at The Open in 2017.
“I’m proud to be a former champion of Africa’s Major, and I’m very excited to be coming back to the Nedbank Golf Challenge this December,” Grace said.
Potgieter, who is 22, will make his third appearance at the event. He is the youngest winner in Korn Ferry Tour history. He is also the youngest South African to win on the PGA Tour.
Potgieter first received an invitation to play in 2024. He led through 54 holes that year and finished second, one shot behind Veerman.
Source: this article is based on reporting by IOL Sport. Image: IOL Sport. Written with the help of AI and published by the Tzaneen Voice Sports desk. See our Editorial Standards.
Tiyani Mathebula writes about sport for Tzaneen Voice. Tiyani covers Bafana Bafana, the Springboks, the Proteas and the PSL, along with athletics, tennis and local club sport. Match reports and previews focus on results, team news, fixtures and what each game means for South African teams and fans.