Get set for the 2018 European Tour opener – the BMW South African Open – teed off on Thursday, 11 January at the beautiful Glendower Golf Course.
The European Tour is back from its break with one of the world’s oldest national golf tournaments: the SA Open. Dating back to 1903, this tournament boasts a rich heritage, underlining South Africa’s outstanding golfing pedigree through the decades.
Golfing legends like Gary Player, with a record 13 titles, and Bobby Locke, with nine wins, have graced this event. Other notable champions include Ernie Els, Retief Goosen, and Vijay Singh. Last year’s dramatic finish saw Graeme Storm triumph over Northern Ireland’s Rory McIlroy – a surprising close call for the former World #1 who had a quiet 2017.
BMW South African Open | 11 January – 14 January | Glendower Golf Club, Ekurhuleni
Glendower is hosting for the fourth year in a row. Characterised by its flat, tree-lined, parkland style, it features kikuyu fairways and bentgrass greens, with water hazards on 11 of the 18 holes. Though the course measures an imposing 7,594 yards, its altitude at around 5,000 feet above sea level makes the length feel less daunting. Still, length off the tee remains key, especially with no rain forecast during warm, dry conditions and just moderate winds favouring the big hitters.
South African stars Branden Grace and Charl Schwartzel headline most betting markets, especially given their strong European Tour experience. Defending champion Graeme Storm and favourites like Ernie Els and Retief Goosen will pull strong local backing. Keep an eye out for emerging talents who could burst onto the scene from nowhere and challenge the established players.
Past Champions
2017: Graeme Storm (-18)
2016: Brandon Stone (-14)
2015: Andy Sullivan (-11)
2014: Morten Orum Madsen (-19)
2013: Henrik Stenson (-17)
Odds to Win Outright
Branden Grace 6/1 | Charl Schwartzel 13/2 | Dylan Frittelli 16/1 | Soren Kjeldsen 25/1 | Dean Burmester 25/1
Value Picks to Watch
Jason Scrivener – Win 50/1, Place 11/1
Originally from South Africa but representing Australia, 28-year-old Scrivener has solid form in this event with tied 11th in 2015 and tied 12th in 2016. Fresh off a win at the New South Wales Open and top 20 finishes in big Aussie events, he knows the local conditions well and offers excellent value at 50/1.
Thomas Aiken – Win 66/1, Place 14/1
Aiken, a 14-time SA Open competitor, boasts four top five finishes including two T5s since the tournament moved to Glendower. Despite a tough 2017, he showed promise at the Hong Kong Open and has a strong connection to the SA Open – expect him to bounce back and perform well at his beloved event.
Mikko Korhonen – Win 100/1, Place 22/1
Finn Korhonen might be the dark horse with eye-catching South African form including a T7 finish last year. He impressed recently at the British Masters and Joburg Open, making him an enticing speculative bet at long odds.
Top Contender – Dean Burmester – Win 25/1, Place 11/2
Among the top favourites, Burmester stands out. While Grace had a lacklustre 2017, Burmester’s power off the tee is unmatched locally. With previous top 10s at Glendower and a Tshwane Open win, the young star is well worth backing at 25/1.
