Johannesburg - A full dozen South Africans, led by Justin Harding, will be in action at the Ras Al Khaimah Classic at Al Hamra Golf Course, in the United Arab Emirates, on Thursday.
Harding is the top SA player on the DP World Tour (DPWT) rankings, effectively the money list, at 12th. Harding who celebrates his 36th birthday on Wednesday, finished fourth at the Dubai Desert Classic two weeks ago.
Harding had led for most of the tournament including by two at the end of round three, before a costly triple bogey during his four-over final round meant he had to settle for tied fourth place on eight-under for the week.
Last week, Harding played on the Asian Tour’s Saudi International and finished 24th in a quality field.
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His strong challenge two weeks ago, should fill Harding with confidence as he goes in search of his third European Tour victory.
At 17th on the DPWT rankings, Thriston Lawrence will also be hoping for a strong showing. Lawrence won the Joburg Open in November, the first event of the DPWT season. Since then, the 25-year-old missed the Abu Dhabi Championship after testing positive for Covid-19, and then missing the cut at the Dubai Desert Classic.
Last week, Lawrence finished in a respectable tie for 53rd at the Ras Al Khaimah Championship and will be looking to keep up that improvement; as he seeks to make the best use of his newly-gained DPWT exemption status for his Joburg Open victory.
At 28th in the DPWT rankings, Zander Lombard has not played much since his second at the Joburg Open behind Lawrence. In fact, his only tournament since was the Ras Al Khaimah Championship last week when he finished 57th. The 27-year-old also finds himself ranked 406th in the world, some way off his career best of 190th at the end of 2019.
Shaun Norris and Oliver Bekker end ninth at the Ras al Khaimah Championship
Shaun Norris may just fancy his chances this week, after signing for a tie for ninth at the Ras Al Khaimah Championship. Norris was also in the mix at the Joburg Open, where he finished third, and his top result last week will fill the 39-year-old with justified confidence.
One SA player that can never be discounted will be Brandon Stone. The 28-year-old produced three rounds in the 60s last week at the Ras Al Khaimah Championship, and only a four-over 76 on day three removed his name from contention as he ended 35th. The three-time DPWT event winner is currently ranked 176th in the world, and has already shown signs that his next win is around the corner.
Another SA player that could do well this week is 37-year-old Oliver Bekker. Bekker tied for ninth at the Ras Al Khaimah Championship, but had began the final day in fourth place. Though he struggled in the final round, his top-10 finish was his best result on the DPWT since his fifth place at the Nelson Mandela Championship way back in 2013.
SA player tee times (SA time):
5.20am - Darren Fichardt (1st tee)
5.30am - Richard Sterne (1st tee)
5.30am - Thriston Lawrence (10th tee)
5.50am - Jacques Kruyswijk (1st tee)
6.10am - Zander Lombard (1st tee)
9.50am - Oliver Bekker (1st tee)
10am - Shaun Norris (1st tee)
10.20am - Brandon Stone (1st tee)
10.20am - George Coetzee (10th tee)
10.40am - Justin Harding (1st tee)
10.50am - Justin Walters (10th tee)
11am - Daniel van Tonder (1st tee)