The Nedbank Golf Challenge has grown a good deal more cosmopolitan since it began as a four-man mega-stars-only field two decades ago. This year there are three Africans, three Americans, three from Britain and Ireland, an Australian, a New Zealander and a European.
And, as if to show how the world order has changed since the tournament began, it is the last named who is likely to cause the biggest waves this year. Sergio Garcia may be a Spaniard, but his constant peregri-nations suggest he should really be deemed a citizen of the world.
When Garcia played at Sun City in 1999 it seemed as though he might never return. In the last year for which the winner’s prize was a mere $1-million, Garcia placed ninth, shot 75 on the final day and spent the week complaining about the greens. He was, however, 19 at the time.
He duly gave 2000 a miss, but was back last year, a rather better player than the outrageously gifted but wet behind the ears boy of 1999. And, with a chip in at the first extra he duly won the tournament, now worth $2-million to the winner.
On Wednesday in the Pro-AM, Garcia scorched around the Gary Player Country Club in a seven-under-par 65. That was two shots worse than his closing 63, which hauled in Ernie Els last year.
At the prize-giving Garcia’s deft winning chip of 2001 was replayed for the umpteenth time and he leaned across to Els and delivered the first psychological blow by saying: ”Did you see that chip, Ernie?”
It goes without saying that Els, not Garcia, is the favourite this year, although only by a few decimal places at 28-10 from 9-2 with the bookies.
But the best bet of all might lie with Nick Price, a three-time winner here, the last in 1998. Price will turn 46 in January, but the swing is as powerful as ever and if he makes a few putts this week he could make a mockery of a 10-1 rating.