Immelman eyes home comforts

Immelman: back competing in South Africa

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South Africa's Trevor Immelman will make his first competitive appearance on home soil since his Masters triumph when he defends his Nedbank Challenge crown in Sun City this week.

Nedbank Challenge stats package

The 28-year-old won last year's event having only received a late invitation to play after one of two last-minute withdrawals from Padraig Harrington and Sergio Garcia.

He took full advantage of his opportunity and edged out Justin Rose for the title after a thrilling dual, yet just two weeks later found himself in hospital having surgery to remove a benign tumour from his diaphragm.

Immelman capped a remarkable recovery from that problem by pulling off a surprise win at the Masters four months later as he held off Tiger Woods to emerge victorious by three strokes at Augusta.

The Cape Town native has not won since, however, and subsequently acknowledged he found it difficult to readjust his intensity levels after that life-changing win.

But he will be looking to put the record straight and secure a return to the winner's circle in Sun City this week.

However, a high-quality field has once again assembled at the Gary Player Country Club with recently-established world number two Sergio Garcia the favourite heading into the tournament.

Happy memories

The Spaniard has happy memories of the event having triumphed in both 2001 and 2003 - both times via play-offs.

Also likely to challenge are in-form Swedes Henrik Stenson and Robert Karlsson who combined to win their country the World Cup at Mission Hills last week.

The 12 invited players are guaranteed a minimum of $200,000 in prize money, but local hero Ernie Els will be missing for the first time in 16 years due to family commitments.

Another South African favourite who will not be teeing it up is Retief Goosen who finds himself too far down the world rankings, but South African order of merit winner, James Kingston, has secured an invite.

Field for Nedbank Challenge: Sergio Garcia (Spa), Robert Karlsson (Swe), Lee Westwood (Eng), Henrik Stenson (Swe), KJ Choi (Kor), Justin Rose (Eng), Kenny Perry (US), Miguel Angel Jimenez (Spa), Trevor Immelman (SA), Luke Donald (Eng), Rory Sabbatini (SA), James Kingston (SA)