The Joburg Open will make a long-awaited return to the Sunshine Tour as well as the European Tour in November to mark the official restart of international golf in South Africa.
The event was launched by Johannesburg executive mayor Geoffrey Makhubo at Randpark Golf Club on Tuesday morning, where the competition will tee off on 19 November.
It’s been three years since the last Joburg Open and it will also be the first of a run of co-sanctioned events by the Sunshine Tour and European Tour this summer.
READ: Buhai Column: Holed up in Scotland
‘We are extremely pleased to welcome back the Joburg Open to our schedule in what is also a momentous moment for South African professional golf as we also welcome back international competition to our fairways after a lengthy break,’ said Thomas Abt, commissioner of the Sunshine Tour.
‘I’d like to the thank the Mayor and the City of Johannesburg for so graciously supporting us for the duration of the South African Open’s hosting in Johannesburg, and we are delighted that we can announce the return of a much-loved tournament amongst the residents of Johannesburg.
‘I’d also like to thank the Sunshine Tour board, our sponsors, partners and the European Tour for their support. My special thanks go to our chairman, Johann Rupert, who has been instrumental in terms of the strength of our partnership with the European Tour, and also our executive director, Selwyn Nathan, who has worked tirelessly with us to achieve this momentous restart of our international schedule.’
With the Nedbank Golf Challenge cancelled for this year due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the Joburg Open will bring a much-needed international return for South African golfers as well some of the top players from the European Tour.
ALSO READ: DJ out of Zozo Championship
European Tour chief executive Keith Pelley said: ‘I am delighted to see the Joburg Open back on our schedule this year. We have a wonderful relationship with the Sunshine Tour stretching back over many years and this co-sanctioned tournament is another example of that.
‘I want to express my sincere thanks and appreciation to Johann Rupert, Thomas Abt, Selwyn Nathan and everyone at the Sunshine Tour for their commitment in making this happen, in addition to the Executive Mayor and the City of Johannesburg for their help and support.’
