7th Jan 2020 | South African Open
South African Open: Zander Lombard
Finished T15 at this event last year and knows Randpark GC well from his amateur days. Went close at Alfred Dunhill and getting near to a big win with three top-20s in last three starts.
South Africa suffered an agonising defeat in the latest test but otherwise it’s a good time to be a South African sports fan. Siya Kolisi is a visible presence at sporting venues, keeping the feel-good-factor going and there could be even more to cheer at the South Africa Open.
Given the quantity of home nation players in the event it’s not exactly a long-shot to predict a South African winner but who is a bit more of a challenge. These co-sanctioned events offer little strength in depth so i’ve focused my attention on the top of the market. Louis Oosthuizen is opposed purely on price but I also think this is the moment Zander Lombard makes his big breakthrough.
A winner on the Sunshine Tour in 2018 he is overdue a big win and was bang in contention for 71 holes at the Alfred Dunhill until his push for victory went wrong and he lost several places in the shadow of the posts.
His last four finishes read 17-8-7-26 and it’s unlikely he’s lost the thread over the winter break. His record in this event is sketchy with 5/7 missed cuts but he finished T15 here last year and his record at Randpark Golf Club is good, having previously won (and finished second) in a big amateur event at this venue.
Odds correct at time of publishing: 17:08 7th Jan, 2020 but subject to change