The Zimbabwean finished fifth last year and is hoping to follow in the footsteps of countrymen Nick Price and Marc McNulty, both previous winners of this premier African golfing tournament. Price won the competition on three occasions – 1993, 1997, and 1998, while McNulty was a winner way back in 1986 in his first appearance in the contest. Price once held the course record after hitting a sizzling round of 63.
De Jonge, making his second appearance in the competition, will be on the course on Thursday morning and will play alongside South Africa’s three-time winner Ernie Else and Louis Oosthuizen. He is the only Zimbabwean entrant in the competition, as the rest of the local pack did not meet the qualifying standards for this event.
Formerly known as the One Million Dollar Challenge, the Nebank Golf Challenge is Africa’s biggest golf tournament and attracts some of the top golfers from around the globe. The $ 1,250,000 top prize has attracted some of the best world golf has to offer including the likes of Sergio Garcia, Henrik Stenson, Lee Westwoon who himself has won this tournament on two occassions, Luke Donald, Juston Rose, Martin Keymar, and Brendon Tood.
Defending champion Thomas Bjorn of Denmark has also entered. All in all the Nedbank Golf Challenge carries a $5 million prize fund with the second placed golfer taking home $775,000 and the player who finishes third guaranteed of $453,000.
Post published in: Golf