Lee Westwood to return to SA to defend his Nedbank Golf Challenge title

30 July 2019 - 18:18

By Liam Del Carme

Defending Nedbank Golf Challenge (NGC) champion Lee Westwood will return for the 39th edition of the tournament in mid November.

Westwood‚ who won the tournament for the third time last year‚ has confirmed his participation‚ as has the man who he eventually wore down en route to the title‚ Louis Oosthuizen.

Although he has crept to within touching distance of turning 50‚ Westwood showed his class when he finished tied fourth in this year’s Open at Royal Portrush.

European Tour chief executive Keith Pelley tried to invoke the competitive spirit that prevailed in last year’s final round by reminding how SA's Oosthuizen and England's Westwood went toe to toe.

Eventually‚ however‚ Oosthuizen ran into trouble and had to settle for third.

Origins of golf tournament winner Zander Lombard also cracks the nod by virtue of winning the order of merit on the Sunshine Tour.

This year’s field will be reduced from 72 to 60 to lend it a more elite feel.

The wild cards‚ however‚ remain in place in a tournament that has seen the agreement between main sponsor Nedbank and the European tour extended by a further three years.

“With a 39-year history the tournament has an enormous legacy and brand value. We want to get to 40‚" said Nedbank chief executive Mike Brown.

“Also‚ not many sports in this country can boast 500 million viewers.

“We have an enormous obligation to our country. We have our troubles in country but this tournament gives us a week to be happy.”

Selwyn Nathan‚ the Sunshine Tour commissioner‚ is hoping the South African challenge will reach optimal levels this year.

“Dylan Frittelli has won in Europe and now also in the United States‚" he said.

"Hopefully he puts this tournament on his calender.

“He certainly qualifies. We’ll see a new winner.

"Hopefully a South African who can put R40m in his back pocket.”

This year the winner will take home US$2.5 million‚ an increase on the US$1.25 million won by Westwood last year.

The overall prize fund remains at US$7.5 million‚ with the balance of the field from second place onwards playing for a US$5 million prize fund.

This year’s tournament also offers an increased haul of Race to Dubai points from 7 500 to 10 000‚ which places it above what the World Golf Championship tournaments offer.