2010 Nedbank Golf Challenge comes to Sun City
2010 Ned bank Golf Challenge is ready to hit the Gary Player Country Club with a 12-man line-up to bid farewell to the fabulous year of 2010.
Sun City will be hosting the annual event, which comes every year to the same venue to distribute a purse of $5 million between 12 men. $1.25 million will go in the pocket of the winner whereas $660,000 will be handed over to the
runner-up. To make it better, the last player on the leader board will also get $250,000 which is a huge amount for a loser.
The world Number one, Lee Westwood will be leading the field setting a tough competition for rest of the players whereas Ernie Els will be making a comeback after a gap of one year. Els is one of the favourites on the course and
will be the centre of the limelight on Thursday.
According to the Grand Slam winner, “Me, I’ve been coming here for quite a large part of the 30-year history. I made my debut in 1992 and this year will be my 17th appearance. In that time, I have won the tournament three times
and twice finished runner-up.”
The 41-year-old is not only eyeing the trophy but the love of fans as well. Speaking to the press on Tuesday, Els said, “I have to say it’s a tournament I look forward to. It should be a good week and hopefully I can notch up win
No 4 in 2010.”
Ernie Els has been out of competitive golf for most part of the year, but still managed three titles including the WGC-CA Championship and Arnold Palmer Invitational.
Apart from the champion, the local fans are also expecting a fabulous game from Retief Goosen, Tim Clark and the conqueror of Old Course, Louis Oosthuizen. The trio performed superbly in the Dubai World Championship, which was staged
on one of the most difficult courses in the world.
According to the event's press release, some tough golf will be witnessed on the Gary Player Country Club, as a strong field will be fighting for the title. The 12- man field includes Robert Allenby, Ross Fisher, Justin Rose, Edoardo
Molinari, Padraig Harrington, Anders Hansen and Miguel Angel Jimenez.
Padraig Harrington seems to be the weakest in the field but the veteran has caught up on his long-lost form and it is evident from his recent performances. According to Sunshine Tour's official website, Pod might fall in the top
five by the end of the weekend because of his form and hunger for practice. Nick Faldo once termed Harrington as the golfer who has hit more balls than potatoes have been planted in Ireland. Pod won the Iskandar Johor Open in Malaysia, when he was least expected
to set a mark there.
Another veteran is in the midst of criticism and that is the winner of Omega European Masters, Jimenez. The 46-year-old has been showing terrible performances ever since the Ryder Cup. The reason behind his faltering form is described
to be the fatigue caused by constant tours.
The real media and fan attention is predicted to be gathered by the eight Champions Tour veterans, who will be teeing off at 10 am in the first two rounds. Nick Price, David Frost, Mark McNulty, Fulton Allem, Fred Funk, Jay Haas, Tommy Armour III, and Jeff
Sluman will compete the young golfers for the massive purse of $5 million.
Tags: