Nedbank Golf Challenge

Rising SA star Van Velzen to make Nedbank Golf Challenge debut

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ESWATINI, SOUTH AFRICA – AUGUST 01: Ryan van Velzen during round 1 of the FNB Eswatini Challenge at Nkonyeni on August 1, 2024 in Nkonyeni, Eswatini. EDITOR'S NOTE: For free editorial use. Not available for sale. No commercial usage. (Photo by Tyrone Winfield/Sunshine Tour)

Ryan van Velzen will make his debut in the DP World Tour’s Nedbank Golf Challenge at Sun City from December 5-8, 2024, as the face of a new generation of young South African professionals seeking to make their mark in ‘Africa’s Major’.

Van Velzen secured his place in a stellar international field for this year’s Nedbank Golf Challenge, in honour of Gary Player, thanks to a groundbreaking performance on the Sunshine Tour last season which saw him crowned the winner of the overall Order of Merit delivered by The Courier Guy.

The 22-year-old will join compatriots Christiaan Bezuidenhout and Erik van Rooyen as well as defending champion Max Homa from America amongst the early stars announced for this year’s tournament, in partnership with Nedbank and Sun International. The US$6million tournament is part of the DP World Tour’s Opening Swing, which will be the first of five Global Swings on the 2025 Race to Dubai.

“It’s a privilege to have qualified to play in the Nedbank Golf Challenge and to be there with the best players in the world. I’ve been to the Nedbank Golf Challenge a few times with my dad and friends and I watched Lee Westwood and Tommy Fleetwood win it,” said Van Velzen.

The rising star of South African golf is already a three-time winner on the Sunshine Tour and has earned himself a DP World Tour card for the 2025 season. This year he also made his Major debut in The PGA Championship and The Open.

“Winning the Sunshine Tour Order of Merit delivered by The Courier Guy last season was amazing. I mean, to win against some of the top players in the country and to perform at that level for such a long season is a great achievement. It just gave me a sense of belonging and confidence,” said Van Velzen.

Over the years the Nedbank Golf Challenge has rewarded several of South Africa’s promising professionals with a place in the field thanks to their finishes of first on the Sunshine Tour Order of Merit delivered by The Courier Guy, including Christiaan Bezuidenhout, Zander Lombard, Thriston Lawrence, George Coetzee and Ockie Strydom.

In addition to a strong field, fans will be further rewarded this year with a new luxury public Hospitali-TEE Lounge option which promises to take the normal day visitor experience to a new level with a brand new hospitality lounge located close to the Public Village and offering an air-conditioned facility with indoor and outdoor seating, a live feed of the golf, and catering throughout the day.

The package fee will include an official entrance ticket to the Nedbank Golf Challenge, accreditation for exclusive access to the Hospitali-TEE Lounge, a premium buffet including breakfast, lunch and afternoon snacks, a fully stocked open bar, an all-day coffee station, a live television feed of the golf, daily live entertainment, a daily player autograph opportunity, a sunscreen station, daily prizes and competitions, and official Nedbank Golf Challenge merchandise.

Issued by Michael Vlismas Media