The 115th Investec South African Open Championship is officially sold out.
In what has been a massive response from golf fans to this Sunshine Tour and DP World Tour co-sanctioned tournament, the organisers confirmed on Wednesday that tickets are sold out and that there will be no ticket sales online or at the gate.
The tournament will be televised live on SuperSport Channel 213.
The news was announced on the eve of what is one of the most significant editions of the national Open.
With exemptions into The Masters and The Open, a field including major winners, Ryder Cup and Presidents Cup players as well as Sunshine Tour and DP World Tour champions, and a revamped Stellenbosch Golf Club course, this year’s Investec South African Open will indeed be one of the greatest tributes to the history of this proud championship.
For five-time Investec South African Open champion Ernie Els, this week represents everything that is so special to him about South African golf.
ERNIE’S START
“It’s great to be back here. I played a junior golf event here in Stellenbosch. I first played in the Investec South African Open as a 16 year old in 1986, and then all the way through. I’m 56 now. It just shows you what this tournament has meant to me. When I won it in 1992, that got me started winning around the world. It was the start of my whole career,” said Els.
Els added he was looking forward to the challenge of this week.
“I’m excited to play. The wind will always play a factor here. The fairways are very narrow and you can have some really difficult lies in the rough here.”
SA ‘IS BEAUTIFUL’
Patrick Reed, making his debut in the Investec South African Open, is equally excited to immerse himself in the history and tradition of this championship.
“I’m sorry it’s taken me so long to get down here because South Africa is beautiful. The golf course is really demanding off the tee and it gets your full attention from start to finish.
“But knowing the history and tradition of this championship, it’s exciting and hopefully I’ll have a chance to lift the trophy on Sunday,” he said.