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George Coetzee targets title defence at Tshwane Open

By Camilla Tait

Wednesday 10 February 2016 14:11, UK

George Coetzee of South Africa plays his second shot at the par 5, 10th hole during the second round of the Omega Dubai Desert Classic
Image: 2015 Tshwane Open winner George Coetzee is hoping for a second victory in a row at his home course

South Africa's George Coetzee is hoping to defend his title as he targets a second consecutive win at the Tshwane Open at Pretoria Country Club this week.

Coetzee is confident that playing on the course he grew up on gives him a great advantage to seal a fourth European Tour victory.

The 29-year-old finished seventh in the Commercial Bank Quatar Masters two weeks ago, before a final-round 69 put him tied-26th at the Omega Dubai Desert Classic last week.

George Coetzee of South Africa holds the trophy for winning the Tshwane Open at Pretoria Country Club
Image: George Coetzee won last year's tournament by a single shot

"I know I'm playing well, which only adds to the excitement of the tournament." Coetzee told the European Tour website. "I've struck the ball very well the last three weeks but mentally I haven't been quite as sharp as I would've liked, maybe because I haven't been used to posting really low scores for a while."

Coetzee enjoyed a good run of form following an emotional victory at the Pretoria Country Club last year, going on to win his third European Tour event at the AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open in May, and says his knowledge of the Pretoria Country Club may give him an advantage.

Charl Schwartzel has finished in the top 10 in his last three European Tour events
Image: Charl Schwartzel has finished in the top 10 in his last three European Tour events and is the top ranked player in the event

"It's where I grew up. I played my first event there so to win last year was a dream come true," Coetzee said. "It's my home course and I've got a lot of good memories, so I probably know the course better than anyone.

"Knowing the course gives me a bit of a head start on some of the guys, but the standard on the tour is so high, just knowing the place well isn't going to be enough."

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"It is quite a thinker's course though, so the guys who have played it before do have a bit of an advantage."

Haydn Porteous during the third round of the 2016 Omega Dubai Desert Classic
Image: Haydn Porteous is one of three 2016 season European Tour winners playing in this event

The biggest threats to Coetzee are in-form compatriots Charl Schwartzel, a 2011 Masters champion, and Haydn Porteous, who won his maiden Tour victory at the Joburg Open in January.

Schwartzel has finished inside the top 10 in his past three European Tour events, but is yet to feature in a European Tour event in 2016. 

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Also competing are fellow South African Brandon Stone, who secured his first maiden victory at the BMW SA Open in January, and course record-holder Jacques Blaauw, who finished second in last years event. 

Watch the Tshwane Open live on Sky Sports 4 - your home of golf. Coverage starts on Thursday 11th February at 8.30am

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