The DP World Tour returns to South Africa this week for the first of two back-to-back co- sanctioned events with the Sunshine Tour and heads in to the last two weeks of the international swing.
Rory McIlroy tops the rankings as we head to the SDC Championship at St. Francis Links on the Eastern Cape of South Africa.
As part of the new-look schedule on the DP World Tour the leading member (not otherwise exempt) from the International Swing will qualify for the Genesis Scottish Open in July.
Matthew Baldwin Day 4 Winner Interview 2023 SDC Championship DP World Tour
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Last Years inaugural event saw Matthew Baldwin collect his first DP World Tour victory. On the same course the 37 year old claimed a seven-shot victory in high winds and challenging conditions.
The Southport born professional golfer has had an up and down DP World Tour Career, his initial impressive start was halted in 2015 when he lost his playing rights after a season of injury and illness. He regained his full tour card last time via the 2022 Challenge Tour Road to Mallorca Rankings.
Four Players who currently stand in the top ten of the International swing will tee it up on South African soil this week. Rikuya Hoshino, Dylan Frittelli, Zander Lombard and Ugo Coussaud.
Hoshino and Frittelli have both won on the International swing. With Coussaud and Lombard both claiming runners-up spots,
The South African contingent is obviously strong this week being on home soil, Thriston Lawrence, Ockie Stydom, Darren Fichart, Jayden Schaper and Casey Jarvis.
Adri Arnaus hopes to go one better this year after a runners up spot last season at the event, with former winners Tom McKibbin, Ewen Ferguson, Nick Bachem and Jeff Winther also in the field.
High winds and links traits make shot making a premium around the inland St Francis links.
The 7,192 yard par 72 course is a Jack Nicklaus designed course. It has 10 par fours, four par 5’s and four par 4’s.
Co-Sanctioned events go back over a quarter of a century between The Sunshine Tour and The DP World Tour formerly know as The European Tour.
The first of these being the Lexington South African PGA Championship at the Wanderers Club in 1995.
Ernie Els remains the Sunshine Tours most successful player with 28 DP World Tour titles, the former world number one also won four major championships
It is sure to be a thrilling event with plenty of the competitors capable of claiming the title, Ryan Van Velzen having a strong chance after his title challenge in Kenya.
