SA golf stars to chase historic South African Open glory at Blair Atholl

South African golf's biggest stars will be back on local fairways this December as they compete for South African Open glory at Blair Atholl Golf and Equestrian Estate in Lanseria.

Charl Schwartzel, Dean Burmester, Dylan Frittelli, MJ Daffue, Brandon Stone, Erik van Rooyen, Thriston Lawrence, Oliver Bekker, Shaun Norris and defending champion Daniel van Tonder have all confirmed their participation in the second oldest national Open from 1-4 December.

The SA Open returns to the DP World Tour schedule after last year's tournament was downgraded to a sole Sunshine Tour event due to the then-rise of the omicron variant. 

PGA Tour golfer Dylan Frittelli returns once again to challenge for his home title, which he feels is essential to his career.

"The South African Open is the biggest tournament in the world for me right now besides a Major. It means so much to me," said Frittelli.

"It was the first professional tournament I ever played. I qualified when I was 16 years old. I definitely want to win my national Open before my playing career is over. I think my career will be incomplete if I don't do that."

The South African Open will see also some LIV golfers make their appearance in the prestigious event, including Schwartzel, Norris and Bekker.

Bekker hopes to go one better after finishing runner-up to Van Tonder at last year's SA Open at the Gary Player Country Club.

"It's our home Open and I would really like to have my name on that trophy with the likes of Ernie Els and Gary Player and all of the South African golf legends. After coming so close last year I'm really looking forward to playing well on home soil and hopefully to have a chance of lifting that trophy."

Lawrence, who soared to his second DP World Tour title in August,