Darren Clarke headlines a hefty field when the European Tour swings back into action with the Joburg Open on Thursday.
Live coverage of the Joburg Open starts on Thursday at 10.30am on SS1
Darren Clarke headlines a hefty field when the European Tour swings back into action with the Joburg Open on Thursday.
European Tour stats package
Over 200 competitors will tee it up in South Africa for a tournament jointly-sanctioned by the European and Sunshine Tours.
Clarke had not originally been scheduled to feature in Johannesburg having signed up for the Royal Trophy in Thailand.
However, the death of Her Royal Highness Princess Galyani Vadhana saw that event suspended which led the Ulsterman to pack his bags for South Africa in the hunt for important world ranking and Ryder Cup points.
Clarke - now outside the top 200 in the world - showed an encouraging return to form on his last couple of competitive outings, the Alfred Dunhill Championship and the South African Airways Open where he finished tied for 33rd and then third respectively, and is hoping to pick up where he left off last month.
"I went to South Africa before Christmas because I felt I needed to get competitive again, and played pretty well in both events," he stated.
"At Leopard Creek in the Alfred Dunhill Championship, I didn't quite finish it off. But then in the South African Airways Open I played well, controlling my ball flight in the wind better than for a long time. With a few putts dropping, I could really have changed the outcome.
"I always enjoy my trips to South Africa, and can't wait to play. I've worked hard over Christmas, and I'm now looking forward to getting my year off to a fast start and putting myself into the Ryder Cup picture."
Kingston chasing double
Home player James Kingston will be looking for back-to-back victories having got the better of Clarke to prevail at the South African Airways Open.
That success was the 42-year-old's maiden European Tour victory after eight seasons and a number of runners-up finishes.
Kingston will be one of a battery of South Africans looking to claim a home triumph with the likes of Charl Schwartzel, Richard Sterne, Louis Oosthuizen and Andrew McLardy all likely to fancy their chances.
Ariel Canete is also back to defend the crown he won 12 months ago although the Argentine has struggled for form since that success last time out at the Royal Johannesburg and Kensington Golf Club.
"I am very excited about returning to South Africa," Canete stated. "It was a fantastic experience to win last year and one that opened a lot of doors for me."
A total of 204 players will start the event on Thursday with the top 65 and ties to stay on for the weekend.
The first two rounds will be played on the East and West courses respectively, with the weekend's action then solely on the East course.
