Nelson Mandela Championship to start a day earlier than scheduled
Next week's Nelson Mandela Championship will go ahead, but will start a day earlier, the European Tour have confirmed.
Last Updated: 10/12/13 12:18pm
The Durban tournament will now start on Wednesday, December 11 to avoid the final round clashing with Mandela's state funeral on Sunday week.
Scott Jamieson won the inaugural event at the Mount Edgecombe Country Club last year, and the tournament will again benefit the Nelson Mandela Children's Fund.
A statement released by the European Tour read: "The Nelson Mandela Championship will go ahead next week as planned, but will start a day earlier and finish on Saturday, December 14.
"In recognition of the national period of mourning for the passing of former President Mr Nelson Mandela, provision will be made for observing the day of the state funeral for Mr Mandela which will take place on Sunday, December 15.
"This is during the originally scheduled playing days (from Thursday, December 12 - Sunday, December 15), so the tournament will start a day early, and in that way, the four rounds can be completed by the scheduled close of the event.
"The tournament with its unique trophy will again be co-sanctioned by The European and Sunshine Tours and will be the fourth of seven co-sanctioned events between the two governing bodies on The 2014 Race to Dubai.
"As with the inaugural event last year, won by Scotland's Scott Jamieson, the tournament will honour Mr Mandela's on-going charity work through the Nelson Mandela Children's Fund."
