Watching Jayden Schaper and Casey Jarvis win back-to-back on the DP World Tour this season has given Nikhil Rama an even greater belief in his own ability heading into this week’s Joburg Open at Houghton Golf Club.
The 24-year-old Rama is back on his favourite Johannesburg fairways this week, and where he finished sixth in the 2023 Joburg Open.
“I just feel at home out here. I’m very comfortable with this golf course. I’ve played here all my life. Even in practice rounds I don’t need to do too much because I know what to do around here,” he said ahead of Thursday’s first round.
“This is my favourite co-sanctioned of the year. I’ve played the Joburg Open every year since I turned pro. It’s got a special place in my heart.”
That sixth-place finish in a Sunshine Tour and DP World Tour co-sanctioned event was exactly the confirmation Rama needed to know he can compete at this level. And having played junior golf with the likes of Schaper and Jarvis and now seeing them win has boosted that self-belief.
“It gave me the confidence that I can compete out here. Ever since that 2023 performance my game has levelled up. I haven’t had it completely yet, but this week again I know I can compete.
“I grew up competing with Jayden and Casey. I started a bit later and they were winning quite a lot at junior level already. But it gives me the confidence that I know I can compete on their level. What they’re doing is special and I know I’ve got the same capabilities.”
Scotland’s Calum Hill is also looking forward to drawing on his positive memories of Houghton Golf Club as the defending champion.
“It’s nice to have all the good memories coming back. As a golfer you sometimes just remember the bad shots, but this week all I’m remembering are the good shots I hit here last year,” said Hill.
His playoff victory over South Africa’s Shaun Norris and Jacques Kruyswijk was his second DP World Tour title and led to one of his best finishes on the Race to Dubai Rankings of 38th last season.
“The win last year was great because I’d put in a lot of hard work for six months before that, so it was nice to get something out of it. It just kicked everything off for me and put me in a really good position.”
He returns to Johannesburg in good form after a solid finish of tied 20th at the Investec South African Open, and two runners-up finishes this year already.
“The game is in good shape. I’ve had a nice start to the year and I’d like to just keep that momentum going this week. I think my game combined with the good memories here all adds up to a decent week. The course is soft after all the rain, but overall it’s immaculate.”