SA Open moved to January

The 104th South African Open Championship will be played in January next year at the Glendower Golf Club, Ekurhuleni, the Sunshine Tour said on Friday.

Selwyn Nathan, the executive director of the tour said one of the reasons for moving the championship from November to January was to accommodate South African golfers who played abroad.

“Since 2010, the commercial rights to the SA Open Championship have been held by Africa Sports Holding, however, by mutual agreement, the Sunshine Tour has now regained these rights," he said in a statement.

"Given the stature of the SA Open in world golf, it has made sense to move the SA Open into this new January slot, which will make it easier for our South African stars to participate."

The City of Ekurhuleni would remain the host sponsor when the tournament, which would run from January 8 - 11, was played at the Glendower course for the second consecutive year.

The SA Open would again feature on the European Tour as a co-sanctioned event.