“Africa’s Major for a Reason:” LIV Golf Pro Makes an Honest Confession Ahead of Participating in $6M DP World Tour Event

This year’s Nedbank Golf Challenge has a strong field that includes the likes of Max Homa, Justin Rose, Justin Thomas, Tommy Fleetwood, and other A-listers. Since this is a DP World Tour event, no one expected any LIV Golf pros to tee up at the Gary Player Golf and Country Club in Sun City. However, the field does include one golfer’ from the rebel league.

Apparently, one South African pro was invited to the tournament by virtue of being a former winner. And if his comments tell you anything, he is extremely grateful and excited to play at the tournament. Who is the golfer and when can you see him in action?

LIV Golfer is super excited to participate in Africa’s Major

For any South African, the Nedbank Golf Challenge holds a special place in their heart. Branden Grace, who won the event in 2017, is no exception. Despite switching allegiance to LIV Golf, the South African Pro has not forgotten the significance of the DP World Tour event. 

“This is the one event that as a South African you want to win.” Grace’s admission to the tournament’s official channel betrays the appeal the Gary Player-introduced tournament still has on every Protea. The golfer made his dream a reality when he etched his name on the Crystal Trophy six years ago. An achievement he is still proud of. “I’m very glad to be able to put my name on the trophy as well.”

Reportedly, in May, the Stingers GC star, who finished at the eighth position on the season-long LIV leaderboard, was mulling over quitting his DP World Tour membership. Fortunately, he didn’t. That allowed him to take part in two South African DP World Tour events this season, despite appearing in all 14 events on the PIF-funded league. So, when he received the invite, he didn’t think twice. “It’s Africa’s Major for a reason,” admits the South African Pro.

True. The tournament, teeing off on Nov.9, has an illustrious list of winners that includes Tiger Woods, Nick Price, Sergio Garcia, Ernie Els, and David Frost. The glorious and rich legacy has earned the tournament its moniker, ‘Africa’s Major’. 

The rich history that inspired Branden Grace

Introduced by the legendary golfer himself, the DP World Tour event has seen many rousing duels famously between Nick Price and Tiger Woods in 1998. Notably, in the first edition, in 1981, Gary Player himself played.

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For the defending champion, Tommy Fleetwood, despite being British, the South African event was a tournament he wanted to win since childhood. This fascination explains why American Ryder Cup star Max Homa and his compatriot, Justin Thomas are traveling around 8000 miles to tee off at the Gary Player Golf and Country Club.

So, when Branden Grace speaks about ‘Africa’s Major’, his words resonate with many. Gary Player introduced South Africans to an international tournament for which they are thankful 42 years later.

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