Up for the challenge

At 43 Thomas Bjorn, the Nedbank Golf Challenge defending champion, is still young enough to take a light-hearted age dig at Miguel Angel Jimenez.

The 50-year-old Spaniard is the oldest of the 30-man field that tees off on the Gary Player Country Club layout from today.

Bjorn made the jibe as herecalled his victory here a year ago, saying it helped him dispel his doubts about advancing years.

"I'm 43 going on 44 but the way I felt going into 2014, I probably felt more like I was 30 again," said Bjorn, who carded 20 under par to win by two shots last year.

"We're fortunate that we've got Miguel here and we can all see that it can last for a long time, so that's a nice thing to have. I just want to kick on and enjoy my golf and enjoy the last few years of my career and be competitive."

Even Tim Clark, who last played here in 2010, made an age joke, although it was aimed at himself.

Comparing the course to when he last played it, the 38-year-old quipped: "A couple of holes seemed a little longer - but then again I'm getting older too, so I don't know."

Clark, who finished second in 2010 and third in 2009, is one of seven SA golfers here who will be looking to end a seven-year drought. Trevor Immelman, in 2007, was the last local to claim victory.

Among the local crew is Danie van Tonder, at 23 the youngest in the field.

But Clark didn't joke about the youngster's wild-looking swing.

"He can obviously play. My swing's not the prettiest in the world, and I've done okay.

"That's the beauty of golf, you don't have to be a cookie-cutter guy. I admire guys who go out there and do it their own way, and they invariably find a way to do it better than the guys who've had the talent coached out of them."

Asked if he planned to use his driver on certain tees, Clark replied: "Everywhere, for me. On every course I ever play."

Louis Oosthuizen, however, plans to play with more caution.

"I want to take it slow," said the 2010 Open champion. "I've won a tournament here before [Dimension Data Pro-Am] and it's the type of place where a bad hole is around the corner."

This field also includes 17 rookies. The last time a debutant won this tournament was Mark McNulty in 1986.

Clark has a theory why first-timers struggle at this resort. "They probably party too much. The veterans know when to tone it down and go to bed early."