JC Ritchie eyes DP World Tour as he attempts historic treble in Bloemfontein

South African golfer JC Ritchie will be eyeing automatic promotion to the DP World Tour by becoming the first player to win three consecutive European Challenge Tour events.

Ritchie tees up in as this week's Mangaung Open, which takes place at Bloemfontein Golf Club and Schoeman Park Golf Club.

The 28-year-old roared to back-to-back Sunshine Tour titles, winning Cape Town Open and last week's Jonsson Workwear Open.

Ritchie looks to secure a treble in the Free State province, which could see him earn immediate DP World Tour playing rights.

"It was amazing to win back-to-back. I'm still taking it in and I'm unsure of how it happened, but I am trying to enjoy it," said Ritchie.

"The last two years have been tough. I have put in a lot of work and made changes to my swing. I wouldn't say my success has surprised me because I know how hard I have worked for this and the effort I have put in to get where I am now." 

Ritchie, who has 10-Sunshine Tour titles, says he was contemplating taking a week off after his heroics last weekend but could not pass on the opportunity to make history.

"I thought about taking this week off, but I decided to keep playing while I am in a hot run of form and see if I can be blessed with another victory," he said.

"I am going to take this week as calmly as I can to try and get my energy levels back because we still have a long stretch of events in South Africa."

This is the fourth of seven Challenge Tour co-sanctioned events in South Africa and Ritchie is grateful for the opportunity to possibly make it on the DP World Tour, formerly European Tour.

"These events are life-changing for the Sunshine Tour. Previously it was difficult for South Africans to get on to the DP World Tour because opportunities were