England’s Tommy Fleetwood holds up the Nedbank Golf Challenge trophy England’s Tommy Fleetwood will return to the Nedbank Golf Challenge later this year as he attempts to win the title for a third time in a row. Picture: Michael Vlismas/Sunshine Tour
England’s Tommy Fleetwood will aim to complete the Nedbank Golf Challenge hat-trick when he returns to Sun City’s Gary Player Country Club from November 9 to 12.
The European Ryder Cup star last year successfully defended the trophy, which he first won in 2019, as ‘Africa’s Major’ returned to the DP World Tour International Schedule following the Covid-19 pandemic and the Englishman will launch the second defence of his title when the $6,000,000 (R105m) event returns later this year.
The Nedbank Golf Challenge has been a highlight of the South African sporting calendar since its first edition in 1981, with the Englishman among a glittering list of winners including South African golfing icon Ernie Els – a three-time winner of the event – the legendary Seve Ballesteros, and Major Champions Bernhard Langer, Ian Woosnam, Sir Nick Faldo, Retief Goosen, Trevor Immelman and Danny Willett.
It’s confirmed! Tommy Fleetwood will tee up to defend his #NedbankGolfChallenge crown! 🏆![CDATA[]]>🏌️♂️ Will you be there?
— Nedbank Golf Challenge (@AfricasMajor) July 25, 2023
Get your tickets now: https://t.co/QLhcXRJ1sc#ExperienceSunInternational #NGC2023 #AfricasMajor pic.twitter.com/ClzHX86Mfe
Fleetwood has an enviable record at Gary Player Country Club, finishing in a tie for 10th in 2017, a result which helped him towards being crowned Race to Dubai Champion later that year, before defeating Sweden’s Marcus Kinhult in a play-off two years later following a sublime seven-under closing round.
The two-time Ryder Cup player then came out on top of a thrilling final day battle with New Zealand’s Ryan Fox in 2022 to win in South Africa for a second time, and the 32-year-old is relishing his return in November.
Fleetwood said: “I’ve got some great memories from the Nedbank Golf Challenge and I’m really excited to get back to Sun City.
“Last year’s event was such a rollercoaster with the weather, and I wasn’t feeling great at the start of the week, so to be able to come out on top on Sunday was amazing.
“It is always special to defend any title but returning to Sun City as defending champion is a true honour. I was lucky enough to be able to do it last year and I can’t wait to do it again this year. Nobody has ever won this event three times in a row so I can’t wait to give that a go.”
Gary Player, the tournament host, said: “When we launched this tournament I called on the biggest names in golf to support us, which they did. I am delighted that Tommy continues to do so as well and I can’t wait to greet him on the first tee once again.
“He has written his name into Nedbank Golf Challenge history as a magnificent champion by becoming only the seventh golfer to win back-to-back titles at Sun City.
“He is a wonderful ambassador for the game of golf who now has the chance to stand alone in the history of this event as its first ever winner of three consecutive titles and to add to the incredible legacy of this great tournament.”
The 2023 Nedbank Golf Challenge will once again be included on the DP World Tour schedule in partnership with Nedbank and Sun International and will be the penultimate event before the season-ending DP World Tour Championship, Dubai.
The winner of the Sunshine Tour Order of Merit will receive a place in the 64-player field at Gary Player Country Club.
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