The Investec South African Open is in full swing at the venerable Royal Durban Golf Course, marking its historic 114th year. With a roster of 156 professional golfers vying for glory and substantial awards, spectators and fans around the globe are eagerly tuned in.
The competition is heating up in the 3rd round, with Shaun Norris currently topping the leaderboard with a score of -14, closely followed by Dylan Naidoo and Sam Bairstow, both tied at -13. Remarkably, half of the top 10 players hail from South Africa, a trend that has been reflected in the past six tournaments with all the winners being local stars. Given the current standings, there’s a strong likelihood that the Durban crowd will be cheering on another homegrown victory by the end of the tournament.
Indeed, the stakes are high, and not just due to the national pride on the line. The tournament offers a lucrative prize pool of $1.5 million, including a $100k Order of Merit prize that will extend throughout the inaugural season of the DP World Tour. The top performers in this merit race will even secure an invitation to the first Rolex event of the next season.
This year’s champion will pocket a handsome $250,000, mirroring the prize won by last year’s victor, Dean Burmester. However, the winner will also be awarded 3,000 Race to Dubai points, adding a thrilling dimension to the competition. The runner-up will take home $165,000, while even the golfer finishing in 70th place will receive $2,850.
The competition extends beyond the South African Open, with the International Swing stage nearing its conclusion. The Joburg Open, scheduled between March 6 and 9, will witness the crowning of the Swing Champion who will not only secure a spot in each of the Back 9 events but also earn a $200k bonus. For the eligible European players, there’s the added incentive of 1,000 Ryder Cup points up for grabs.
Last year’s champion, Dean Burmester, despite high anticipation from fans, is currently placed at T23 with a score of -8. Meanwhile, Charl Schwartzel sits at T31 with a score of -7, and Brandan Grace is at T6, with a score of -11.
However, it’s not just established names making the headlines. Christiaan Maas, after a stellar bogey-free 2nd round, is hot on the heels of the leaders with a score of -10. Other golfers in the top 10 include Todd Clements, Fredrick From, and Joel Girrbach, all adding to the thrilling unpredictability of the competition.
With the current round still in progress and teeming with potential highs and lows, fans can catch the live action on the Golf Channel. As the 3rd round nears its conclusion, the question remains: who will emerge victorious in the 2025 Investec South African Open?
