2018 BMW South Africa Open preview: Sullivan and Smith can threaten domestic dominance

Last year’s event was a fairytale for eventual winner Graeme Storm who beat Rory McIlroy in a play-off to win. However, 84 days earlier Storm thought he had lost his European Tour card.

The Englishman missed a par putt on the 18th green at the Portugal Masters in October to lose his playing privileges by just 100 euros, but was handed a reprieve when Patrick Reed opted not to play the Final Series.

The opportunity for a second chance at Glendower Golf Club was all Storm needed, overcoming the four-time Major Champion on the third extra hole after a thrilling closing round.

Storm returns to Glendower to try and retain his title; however there will be a number of high profile names vying for the first win in 2018.

The Open has been well-supported by home grown players with several big names from South Africa participating in the event. Four-time Major winner Ernie Els leads a strong home challenge, which includes double US Open champion Retief Goosen, and Masters Tournament winners Charl Schwartzel and Trevor Immelman.

As well as Major winners, there are several South African European Tour winners, such as Dean Burmester, George Coetzee, Darren Fichardt, Dylan Frittelli, Branden Grace and Haydn Porteous.

With notable names missing, due to the EurAsia Cup, there are still some big competitors taking part, including Andy Sullivan, former Masters Champion Mike Weir and former Ryder Cup star Jamie Donaldson.

For the event I believe a South African will win; if we look at previous results, it is dominated by South African golfers. There have been 11 winners from South Africa in the last 16 years! However there are a few players who can challenge the South African threat, highlighted by England’s Andy Sullivan and Jordan Smith

Andy Sullivan

The 30-year-old may not have had the best 2017 with some mixed results. Sullivan therefore will be looking to start 2018 strongly, and what better place to do it than the Glendower Golf Club?

The course was the venue that started Sullivan’s break-through year in 2015. The Englishman defeated South African Charl Schwartzel in a play off to claim his maiden European Tour title; that year Sullivan went on to win the Joburg Open and the Portugal Masters. Therefore, a good result this week could help propel the Englishman back to form.

Sullivan will want a strong result as he starts his 2018 campaign, although fellow Countryman Jordan Smith will be looking to make his mark as he bids for a Ryder Cup spot.

Jordan Smith

Smith is one of the world’s most promising players. And if 2017 was anything to go by then he is set to have another great year.

In 2017 he claimed his maiden European Tour title in his rookie season, with a play-off victory over Alexander Levy in the Porsche European Open. Not only did Smith claim his maiden title but, on his major debut at the US PGA Championship, he finished as the top British player in a tie for ninth.

Smith has previous experience at this week’s event. In what was only his third start on the European tour, he finished in third place and also was involved in a thrilling climax in Sunday’s final group with Rory McIlroy and eventual winner, Graeme Storm.

The 25-year-old has an outside chance of making the European Ryder Cup squad this year so will be looking to make a strong start to his 2018 campaign, and a victory this week will certainly put him in the picture for a Ryder Cup place.

The South African Open begins on Thursday with all the players looking to start the New Year off well. With a strong field who will make the biggest impact and claim the coveted trophy?

Will South Africa’s dominance continue or will the Rest of the World take the spoils? We will have to see on Sunday afternoon.

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