South African Open (golf)

{{Short description|Golf tournament}} {{Use dmy dates|date=January 2019}} {{EngvarB|date=January 2019}} {{Infobox golf tournament | name = Investec South African Open Championship | image = | location = Stellenbosch, South Africa | establishment = 1903 | course = Stellenbosch Golf Club | par = 70 | yardage = {{convert|7213|yd|m}} | tour = European Tour Sunshine Tour Asian Tour | format = Stroke play | purse = {{currency|1,500,000|USD}} | month_played = February/March | final_year =  | aggregate = 263 Branden Grace (2020) | to-par = −24 Ernie Els (2006) | current_champion = {{flagicon|ZAF}} Casey Jarvis | final_champion =  | coordinates = {{coord|-33.959|18.850}} | map = South Africa#Western Cape | map_label = Stellenbosch GC | map_caption = Location in South Africa##Location in Western Cape | map_relief = yes | map_label_position = | map_size = 200 }} The '''South African Open''' is one of the oldest national open golf championships in the world, having first been played in 1903, and is one of the principal tournaments on the Southern-Africa-based Sunshine Tour. Since 1997 it has also been co-sanctioned by the European Tour.

==History== The first formal event was organised in 1903, following a series of exhibition matches that had been held over the preceding ten years. The championship was initially contested over just 36 holes until 1908, when it was extended to become a 72-hole tournament.<ref name=saga>{{cite web |url=http://history.saga.co.za/index7e46.html?id=128 |title=SA Amateur & Open |website=South African Golf Association |access-date=20 November 2020}}</ref> Although non-whites had played in the South African Open before, most notably when Papwa Sewgolum finished second in 1963, it was not until 1972 that black golfers were allowed to compete.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.southafricanopen.co.za/new/spectator_information/history_and_highlights/index.php |title=South African Open Championship History and Highlights |publisher=South African Open Championship |access-date=18 November 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081219004403/http://www.southafricanopen.co.za/new/spectator_information/history_and_highlights/index.php |archive-date=19 December 2008 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }}</ref>

From 2011 until February 2020 it was held in the Johannesburg area; twice at Serengeti Golf Club, followed by five times at Glendower Golf Club, and then twice at Randpark Golf Club. In December 2020 it will move away from Johannesburg and be held at Gary Player Country Club in Sun City.

Gary Player has been the most successful player in the tournament's history, with 13 victories over four decades between 1956 and 1981. Bobby Locke won nine titles, Sid Brews won eight titles, and George Fotheringham won the event five times as did Ernie Els.

In December 2018, the event became part of the Open Qualifying Series, giving up to three non-exempt players entry into The Open Championship.

The 2021 event was scheduled to be a co-sanctioned event between the European Tour and the Sunshine Tour. However due to COVID-19 travel restrictions in place in the UK from South Africa, the event was revised as a sole-sanctioned Sunshine Tour event.<ref>{{cite news |title=Irish golfers battling travel chaos to get back from South Africa after pulling out of Joburg Open |url=https://www.msn.com/en-ie/news/other/irish-golfers-battling-travel-chaos-to-get-back-from-south-africa-after-pulling-out-of-joburg-open/ar-AARaSRV?ocid=uxbndlbing |newspaper=Irish Independent |date=26 November 2021}}</ref>

==Flagship event== From 1999 to 2016, the tournament was the Sunshine Tour's flagship event for the purposes of the Official World Golf Ranking, earning a minimum of 32 OWGR points for the winner. It was replaced as the flagship event for 2017 by the Alfred Dunhill Championship before regaining its status the following year.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.news24.com/sport/Golf/SAOpen/sa-open-receives-world-ranking-flagship-status-20180104 |title=SA Open receives world ranking flagship status |website=News 24 |date=8 January 2018 |access-date=18 November 2020}}</ref> In 2020, the Alfred Dunhill Championship once again replaced the South African Open as the tour's flagship event.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.owgr.com/about |title=How the ranking evolved |publisher=Official World Golf Ranking |access-date=18 November 2020}}</ref> In 2021, the Alfred Dunhill Championship was scheduled to be the flagship event for the second consecutive year. However due to the cancellation of the tournament, the South African Open regained its flagship event status for the first time since the January 2020 event.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.iol.co.za/sport/golf/sunshine-tour/sa-open-goes-ahead-without-co-sanctioned-status-for-first-time-in-25-years-924e89cd-985d-5724-af62-9f703900c07e |title=SA Open goes ahead without co-sanctioned status for first time in 25 years |website=IOL |first=Michael |last=Sherman |date=1 December 2021 |access-date=2 December 2021}}</ref>

==Winners== {| class="wikitable" style="font-size:95%" |- | style="background:gold"| |Sunshine Tour (Flagship event) |1999–2016, 2018–2020 (Jan), 2021 |- | style="background:lightblue"| | Sunshine Tour (Regular) |1972–1998, 2017, 2020 (Dec), 2022– |- | style="background:white"| || Pre-Sunshine Tour || 1903–1971 |} {|class=wikitable style="font-size:95%" !#!!Year!!Tour(s){{efn|AFR − Sunshine Tour; ASA − Asian Tour; EUR − European Tour.}} !! Winner{{efn|name=am|(a) – Amateur}} !! Score !!To par !! Margin of victory !! Runner(s)-up{{efn|name=am}} !! Venue !! Ref. |- ! colspan=10|Investec South African Open Championship |- | style="background:lightblue"|115th | align=center|2026 || AFR, EUR || {{flagicon|ZAF}} Casey Jarvis || align=center|266 || align=center|−14 || 3 strokes || {{flagicon|ZAF}} Hennie du Plessis {{flagicon|FRA}} Frédéric Lacroix {{flagicon|ITA}} Francesco Laporta || Stellenbosch || |- | style="background:lightblue"|114th | align=center|2025 || AFR, EUR || {{flagicon|ZAF}} Dylan Naidoo || align=center|202{{efn|Shortened to 54 holes due to rain.}} || align=center|−14 || Playoff || {{flagicon|ENG}} Laurie Canter || Durban || |- | colspan=10 align=center|''2024: No tournament due to rescheduling from December to March'' |- | style="background:lightblue"|113th | align=center|2023 || AFR, EUR || {{flagicon|ZAF}} Dean Burmester || align=center|277 || align=center|−11 || 3 strokes || {{flagicon|ITA}} Renato Paratore {{flagicon|SWE}} Jesper Svensson {{flagicon|ZAF}} Ryan van Velzen || Blair Atholl || |- | style="background:lightblue"|112th | align=center|2022 || AFR, EUR || {{flagicon|ZAF}} Thriston Lawrence || align=center|272 || align=center|−16 || 1 stroke || {{flagicon|FRA}} Clément Sordet || Blair Atholl || |- ! colspan=10|SA Open Championship |- | style="background:gold"|111th | align=center|2021 || AFR, <s>EUR</s>{{efn|Due to impending COVID-19 related travel restrictions in and out of South Africa affecting the makeup of the field, the event was removed from the European Tour schedule. It proceeded as a sole-sanctioned Sunshine Tour event.<ref name=joburg21>{{cite news |title=Irish golfers battling travel chaos to get back from South Africa after pulling out of Joburg Open |url=https://www.msn.com/en-ie/news/other/irish-golfers-battling-travel-chaos-to-get-back-from-south-africa-after-pulling-out-of-joburg-open/ar-AARaSRV?ocid=uxbndlbing |newspaper=Irish Independent |date=26 November 2021}}</ref>}} || {{flagicon|ZAF}} Daniel van Tonder || align=center|272 || align=center|−16 || 1 stroke || {{flagicon|ZAF}} Oliver Bekker || Gary Player || |- ! colspan=10|South African Open |- | style="background:lightblue"|110th | align=center|2020 (Dec) || AFR, EUR || {{flagicon|ZAF}} Christiaan Bezuidenhout || align=center|270 || align=center|−18 || 5 strokes || {{flagicon|WAL}} Jamie Donaldson || Gary Player || |- | style="background:gold"|109th | align=center|2020 (Jan) || AFR, EUR || {{flagicon|ZAF}} Branden Grace || align=center|263 || align=center|−21 || 3 strokes || {{flagicon|ZAF}} Louis Oosthuizen|| Randpark || |- | colspan=10 align=center|''2019: No tournament due to rescheduling from December to January'' |- | style="background:gold"|108th | align=center|2018 (Dec) || AFR, ASA, EUR || {{flagicon|ZAF}} Louis Oosthuizen || align="center" |266 || align=center|−18 || 6 strokes || {{flagicon|FRA}} Romain Langasque|| Randpark || |- ! colspan=10|BMW SA Open |- | style="background:gold"|107th | align=center|2018 (Jan) || AFR, EUR || {{flagicon|ENG}} Chris Paisley || align="center" |267 || align=center|−21 || 3 strokes || {{flagicon|ZAF}} Branden Grace|| Glendower || |- | style="background:lightblue"|106th | align=center|2017 || AFR, EUR || {{flagicon|ENG}} Graeme Storm || align="center" |270 || align=center|−18 || Playoff{{efn|Storm won with a par on the third hole of a sudden-death playoff.}} || {{flagicon|NIR}} Rory McIlroy|| Glendower || <ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/golf/38629200 |title=South African Open: Graeme Storm beats Rory McIlroy in play-off to win title |website=BBC Sport |date=15 January 2017 |access-date=4 December 2020}}</ref> |- | style="background:gold"|105th | align=center|2016 || AFR, EUR || {{flagicon|ZAF}} Brandon Stone || align="center" |274 || align=center|−14 || 2 strokes || {{flagicon|ZAF}} Christiaan Bezuidenhout|| Glendower || |- ! colspan=10|South African Open Championship |- | style="background:gold"|104th | align=center|2015 || AFR, EUR || {{flagicon|ENG}} Andy Sullivan || align="center" |277 || align=center|−11 || Playoff{{efn|Sullivan won with a birdie on the first hole of a sudden-death playoff.}} || {{flagicon|ZAF}} Charl Schwartzel|| Glendower || <ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/golf/30770121 |title=Andy Sullivan wins South African Open for first European Tour title |website=BBC Sport |date=11 January 2015 |access-date=4 December 2020}}</ref> |- | colspan=10 align=center|''2014: No tournament due to rescheduling from November to January'' |- | style="background:gold"|103rd | align=center|2013 || AFR, EUR || {{flagicon|DNK}} Morten Ørum Madsen || align="center" |269 || align=center|−19 || 2 strokes || {{flagicon|ZAF}} Jbe' Kruger {{flagicon|ZAF}} Hennie Otto|| Glendower || |- ! colspan=10|SA Open Championship |- | style="background:gold"|102nd | align=center|2012 || AFR, EUR || {{flagicon|SWE}} Henrik Stenson || align="center" |271 || align=center|−17 || 3 strokes || {{flagicon|ZAF}} George Coetzee|| Serengeti || |- | style="background:gold"|101st | align=center|2011 || AFR, EUR || {{flagicon|ZAF}} Hennie Otto || align="center" |274 || align=center|−14 || 1 stroke || {{flagicon|AUT}} Bernd Wiesberger|| Serengeti || |- ! colspan=10|South African Open Championship |- | style="background:gold"|100th | align=center|2010 || AFR, EUR || {{flagicon|ZAF}} Ernie Els (5) || align="center" |263{{efn|name=unofficial|Unofficial scoring record as the 4th hole was unplayable during the 3rd and 4th rounds due to heavy rain. For scoring purposes, all players were deemed to have recorded a par for the hole.}} || align=center|−25{{efn|name=unofficial}} || 1 stroke || {{flagicon|ZAF}} Retief Goosen|| Durban || |- | style="background:gold"|99th | align=center|2009 || AFR, EUR || {{flagicon|SCO}} Richie Ramsay || align="center" |275 || align=center|−13 || Playoff{{efn|Ramsay won with a birdie on the first hole of a sudden-death playoff.}} || {{flagicon|IND}} Shiv Kapur|| Pearl Valley || <ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.golf-monthly.co.uk/news/tour-news/richie-ramsay-wins-south-african-open-championship-15443 |title=Richie Ramsay wins South African Open Championship |first=Fergus |last=Bisset |website=Golf Monthly |date=20 December 2009 |access-date=4 December 2020}}</ref> |- | style="background:gold"|98th | align=center|2008 || AFR, EUR || {{flagicon|ZAF}} Richard Sterne || align="center" |274 || align=center|−14 || Playoff{{efn|Sterne won with a birdie on the first hole of a sudden-death playoff.}} || {{flagicon|NIR}} Gareth Maybin|| Pearl Valley || <ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.golf-monthly.co.uk/news/tour-news/richard-sterne-wins-south-african-open-championship-20626 |title=Richard Sterne Wins South African Open Championship |first=Fergus |last=Bisset |website=Golf Monthly |date=21 December 2008 |access-date=4 December 2020}}</ref> |- ! colspan=10|South African Airways Open |- | style="background:gold"|97th | align=center|2007 || AFR, EUR || {{flagicon|ZAF}} James Kingston || align="center" |284 || align=center|−4 || 1 stroke || {{flagicon|ENG}} Oliver Wilson|| Pearl Valley || |- | style="background:gold"|96th | align=center|2006 || AFR, EUR || {{flagicon|ZAF}} Ernie Els (4) || align="center" |264 || align=center|−24 || 3 strokes || {{flagicon|ZAF}} Trevor Immelman|| Humewood || |- | style="background:gold"|95th | align=center|2005 (Dec) || AFR, EUR || {{flagicon|ZAF}} Retief Goosen (2) || align="center" |282 || align=center|−10 || 1 stroke || {{flagicon|ZAF}} Ernie Els|| Fancourt || |- | style="background:gold"|94th | align=center|2005 (Jan) || AFR, EUR || {{flagicon|ZAF}} Tim Clark (2) || align="center" |273 || align=center|−15 || 6 strokes || {{flagicon|FRA}} Grégory Havret {{flagicon|ZAF}} Charl Schwartzel|| Durban || |- | style="background:gold"|93rd | align=center|2004 || AFR, EUR || {{flagicon|ZAF}} Trevor Immelman (2) || align="center" |276 || align=center|−12 || 3 strokes || {{flagicon|SCO}} Alastair Forsyth {{flagicon|ENG}} Steve Webster|| Erinvale || |- | style="background:gold"|92nd | align=center|2003 || AFR, EUR || {{flagicon|ZAF}} Trevor Immelman || align="center" |274 || align=center|−14 || Playoff{{efn|Immelman won with a birdie on the first hole of a sudden-death playoff.}} || {{flagicon|ZAF}} Tim Clark|| Erinvale || <ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.espn.com/golf/story?id=1491384 |title=For Immelman, 'greatest way to start the year' |agency=Associated Press |website=ESPN |date=12 January 2003 |access-date=4 December 2020}}</ref> |- ! colspan=10|Bell's South African Open |- | style="background:gold"|91st | align=center|2002 || AFR, EUR || {{flagicon|ZAF}} Tim Clark || align="center" |269 || align=center|−19 || 2 strokes || {{flagicon|ENG}} Steve Webster|| The Country Club || <ref>{{Cite web |title=Bell's South African Open 2002 |url=https://www.europeantour.com/dpworld-tour/bell-s-south-african-open-2002/ |access-date=2024-10-10 |publisher=European Tour}}</ref> |- ! colspan=10|Mercedes-Benz South African Open |- | style="background:gold"|90th | align=center|2001 || AFR, EUR || {{flagicon|ZWE}} Mark McNulty (2) || align="center" |280 || align=center|−8 || 1 stroke || {{flagicon|ENG}} Justin Rose|| East London || |- | style="background:gold"|89th | align=center|2000 || AFR, EUR || {{flagicon|SWE}} Mathias Grönberg || align="center" |274 || align=center|−14 || 1 stroke || {{flagicon|ZAF}} Darren Fichardt {{flagicon|ARG}} Ricardo González {{flagicon|ZWE}} Nick Price|| Randpark || |- ! colspan=10|Mercedes-Benz - Vodacom South African Open |- | style="background:gold"|88th | align=center|1999 || AFR, EUR || {{flagicon|ZAF}} David Frost (2) || align="center" |279 || align=center|−5 || 1 stroke || {{flagicon|USA}} Scott Dunlap {{flagicon|IND}} Jeev Milkha Singh|| Stellenbosch || |- ! colspan=10|South African Open |- | style="background:lightblue"|87th | align=center|1998 || AFR, EUR || {{flagicon|ZAF}} Ernie Els (3) || align="center" |273 || align=center|−15 || 3 strokes || {{flagicon|ZAF}} David Frost|| Durban || |- | style="background:lightblue"|86th | align=center|1997 || AFR, EUR || {{flagicon|FJI}} Vijay Singh || align="center" |270 || align=center|−18 || 1 stroke || {{flagicon|ZWE}} Nick Price|| Glendower || |- !colspan=10|Phillips South African Open |- | style="background:lightblue"|85th | align=center|1996 || AFR || {{flagicon|ZAF}} Ernie Els (2) || align=center|275 || align=center|−13 || 1 stroke || {{flagicon|ZAF}} Brenden Pappas || Royal Cape || |- | style="background:lightblue"|84th | align=center|1995 || AFR || {{flagicon|ZAF}} Retief Goosen || align=center|275 || align=center|−13 || 5 strokes || {{flagicon|ZAF}} Ernie Els || Randpark || |- | colspan=10 align=center|''1994: No tournament due to rescheduling from December to January'' |- | style="background:lightblue"|83rd | align=center|1993 (Dec) || AFR || {{flagicon|ZWE}} Tony Johnstone (2) || align=center|267 || align=center|−21 || 7 strokes || {{flagicon|ZAF|1982}} Ernie Els || Durban || |- | style="background:lightblue"|82nd | align=center|1993 (Feb) || AFR || {{flagicon|ZAF|1982}} Clinton Whitelaw || align=center|279 || align=center|−9 || 2 strokes || {{flagicon|ZAF|1982}} Retief Goosen || Glendower || |- !colspan=10|Protea Assurance South African Open |- | style="background:lightblue"|81st | align=center|1992 || AFR || {{flagicon|ZAF|1982}} Ernie Els || align=center|273 || align=center|−15 || 3 strokes || {{flagicon|ZAF|1982}} Derek James || Houghton || |- | style="background:lightblue"|80th | align=center|1991 || AFR || {{flagicon|ZAF|1982}} Wayne Westner (2) || align=center|272 || align=center|−16 || 4 strokes || {{flagicon|ENG}} Mark James {{flagicon|ZWE}} Tony Johnstone || Durban || |- | style="background:lightblue"|79th | align=center|1990 || AFR || {{flagicon|South West Africa|1982}} Trevor Dodds || align=center|285 || align=center|−3 || 1 stroke || {{flagicon|USA}} Hugh Royer III || Royal Cape || <ref>{{cite book |title=The World of Professional Golf 1991 |first=Mark H. |last=McCormack |author-link=Mark McCormack |publisher=Chapmans |date=1991 |page=495 |isbn=1855925583}}</ref> |- | style="background:lightblue"|78th | align=center|1989 || AFR || {{flagicon|USA}} Fred Wadsworth || align=center|278 || align=center|−10 || 1 stroke || {{flagicon|USA}} Tom Lehman || Glendower || |- !colspan=10|Southern Suns South African Open |- | style="background:lightblue"|77th | align=center|1988 || AFR || {{flagicon|ZAF|1982}} Wayne Westner || align=center|275 || align=center|−13 || 2 strokes || {{flagicon|ENG}} Ian Mosey || Durban || <ref name=sao1988>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=1YFDAAAAIBAJ&pg=6616%2C105925 |newspaper=The Glasgow Herald |title=Switch in time a knock-out for Darcy |date=1 February 1988 |page=9 |access-date=20 November 2020 |via=Google News Archive}}</ref> |- | style="background:lightblue"|76th | align=center|1987 || AFR || {{flagicon|ZWE}} Mark McNulty || align=center|278 || align=center|−10 || Playoff{{efn|McNulty won on the second hole of a sudden-death playoff.}} || {{flagicon|ZAF|1982}} Fulton Allem || Mowbray || <ref name=sao1987>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=SPQ9AAAAIBAJ&pg=6941%2C1880617 |newspaper=The Glasgow Herald |title=Mark McNulty |date=9 February 1987 |page=10 |access-date=21 November 2020 |via=Google News Archive}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |title=Ebel World of Professional Golf 1988 |first=Mark H. |last=McCormack |author-link=Mark McCormack |publisher=Collins Willow |date=1988 |pages=220, 439–440 |isbn=0002182831}}</ref> |- | style="background:lightblue"|75th | align=center|1986 || AFR || {{flagicon|ZAF|1982}} David Frost || align=center|275 || align=center|−13 || 3 strokes || {{flagicon|ZWE}} Tony Johnstone || Royal Johannesburg || <ref name=sao1986>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=7Pc9AAAAIBAJ&pg=1470%2C2148137 |newspaper=The Glasgow Herald |title=David Frost |date=10 February 1987 |page=11 |access-date=21 November 2020 |via=Google News Archive}}</ref> |- !colspan=10|South African Open |- | style="background:lightblue"|74th | align=center|1985 || AFR || {{flagicon|ZAF|1982}} Gavan Levenson || align=center|280 || align=center|−8 || 3 strokes || {{flagicon|ZAF|1982}} Phil Simmons || Royal Durban || <ref name=sao1985>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/63670818/the-guardian/|newspaper=The Guardian |title=Golf |date=28 January 1985 |page=23 |access-date=20 November 2020 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> |- | style="background:lightblue"|73rd | align=center|1984 || AFR || {{flagicon|ZWE}} Tony Johnstone || align=center|274 || align=center|−14 || 3 strokes || {{flagicon|ZAF|1982}} Fulton Allem || Houghton || |- | style="background:lightblue"|72nd | align=center|1983 || AFR || {{flagicon|USA}} Charlie Bolling || align=center|278 || align=center|−10 || 1 stroke || {{flagicon|ZAF|1982}} Tertius Claassens || Royal Cape || <ref name=":11">{{Cite news |date=31 January 1983 |title=Golf |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=CYZWAAAAIBAJ&sjid=puYDAAAAIBAJ&pg=2166,8878982 |access-date=2021-08-01 |newspaper=The Sydney Morning Herald}}</ref> |- | colspan=10 align=center |''1982: No tournament due to rescheduling from December to January'' |- !colspan=10|Datsun South African Open |- | style="background:lightblue"|71st | align=center|1981 || AFR || {{flagicon|ZAF|1928}} Gary Player (13) || align=center|272 || align=center|−16 || Playoff{{efn|Player defeated Bland with a birdie on the third hole of sudden-death after both had tied with 2 under-par 70s after an 18-hole playoff; Humphreys returned a level-par 72 in the playoff.}} || {{flagicon|ZAF|1928}} John Bland {{flagicon|ENG}} Warren Humphreys || Royal Johannesburg || <ref name=sao1981>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=R_c9AAAAIBAJ&pg=5191%2C1283309 |newspaper=The Glasgow Herald |title=Player makes it a lucky thirteenth |date=7 December 1981 |page=16 |access-date=20 November 2020 |via=Google News Archive}}</ref> |- | style="background:lightblue"|70th | align=center|1980 || AFR || {{flagicon|ZAF|1928}} Bobby Cole (2) || align=center|279 || align=center|−9 || 4 strokes || {{flagicon|ZWE}} Mark McNulty || Durban || <ref name=sao1980>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=0WUxAAAAIBAJ&pg=2049%2C3468126 |newspaper=The Montreal Gazette |title=Palmer senior champ |date=8 December 1980 |page=19 |access-date=20 November 2020 |via=Google News Archive}}</ref> |- !colspan=10|British Airways/Yellow Pages South African Open |- | style="background:lightblue"|69th | align=center|1979 || AFR || {{flagicon|ZAF|1928}} Gary Player (12) || align=center|279 || align=center|−9 || 1 stroke || {{flagicon|ENG}} Ian Mosey || Houghton || <ref name=sao1979>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=N_M9AAAAIBAJ&pg=6208%2C2030483 |newspaper=The Glasgow Herald |title=Weekend sport in brief {{!}} Golf |date=10 December 1979 |page=19 |access-date=20 November 2020 |via=Google News Archive}}</ref> |- !colspan=10|Yellow Pages South African Open |- | style="background:lightblue"|68th | align=center|1978 || AFR || {{flagicon|ZAF|1928}} Hugh Baiocchi || align=center|285 || align=center|−3 || 1 stroke || {{flagicon|ZAF|1928}} Gavan Levenson || Mowbray || <ref name=sao1977n>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=xX0xAAAAIBAJ&pg=7259%2C1941612 |newspaper=The Montreal Gazette |title=South African Open |date=11 December 1978 |page=38 |access-date=20 November 2020 |via=Google News Archive}}</ref> |- | style="background:lightblue"|67th | align=center|1977 || AFR || {{flagicon|ZAF|1928}} Gary Player (11) || align=center|273 || align=center|−15 || 3 strokes || {{flagicon|ZAF|1928}} Bobby Cole {{flagicon|ZAF|1928}} Dale Hayes || Royal Johannesburg || |- | style="background:lightblue"|66th | align=center|1976 (Nov) || AFR || {{flagicon|ZAF|1928}} Gary Player (10) || align=center|280 || align=center|−8 || 6 strokes || {{flagicon|ZAF|1928}} David Suddards (a) {{flagicon|ZAF|1928}} Bobby Verwey || Durban || <ref name=sao1976n>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=oTIQAAAAIBAJ&pg=6776%2C3919435 |newspaper=The Age |title=Gary wins record 10th open |date=29 November 1975 |page=24 |access-date=20 November 2020 |via=Google News Archive}}</ref> |- !colspan=10|BP South African Open |- | style="background:lightblue"|65th | align=center|1976 (Jan) || AFR || {{flagicon|ZAF|1928}} Dale Hayes || align=center|287 || align=center|−1 || Playoff{{efn|Hayes won following an 18-hole playoff; Hayes 69, Fourie 72.}} || {{flagicon|ZAF|1928}} John Fourie || Houghton || <ref name=sao1976f>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=9909AAAAIBAJ&pg=4706%2C523074 |newspaper=The Glasgow Herald |title=Hayes triumphs in play-off |date=3 February 1976 |page=23 |access-date=20 November 2020 |via=Google News Archive}}</ref> |- | style="background:lightblue"|64th | align=center|1975 || AFR || {{flagicon|ZAF|1928}} Gary Player (9) || align=center|278 || align=center|−10 || 6 strokes || {{flagicon|ZAF|1928}} Allan Henning || Mowbray || <ref name=sao1975>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=sdJaAAAAIBAJ&pg=2018%2C715415 |newspaper=The Age |title=Its the Player habit |date=3 February 1975 |page=25 |access-date=20 November 2020 |via=Google News Archive}}</ref> |- !colspan=10|South African Open |- | style="background:lightblue"|63rd | align=center|1974 || AFR || {{flagicon|ZAF|1928}} Bobby Cole || align=center|272 || align=center|−16 || 4 strokes || {{flagicon|ZAF|1928}} Allan Henning || Royal Johannesburg || <ref name=sao1974>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=qI9AAAAAIBAJ&pg=3736%2C518557 |newspaper=The Glasgow Herald |title=Cole wins SA Open |date=4 February 1974 |page=5 |access-date=20 November 2020 |via=Google News Archive}}</ref> |- !colspan=10|BP South African Open |- | style="background:lightblue"|62nd | align=center|1973 || AFR || {{flagicon|NZL}} Bob Charles || align=center|282 || align=center|−6 || 3 strokes || {{flagicon|ZAF|1928}} Vin Baker {{flagicon|ZAF|1928}} Bobby Cole {{flagicon|AUS}} Graham Marsh || Durban || <ref name=sao1973>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=IeE9AAAAIBAJ&pg=4847%2C756522 |newspaper=The Glasgow Herald |title=Revised Charles swing again pays dividends |first=Raymond |last=Jacobs |date=5 February 1973 |page=5 |access-date=20 November 2020 |via=Google News Archive}}</ref> |- !colspan=10|South African Open |- | style="background:lightblue"|61st | align=center|1972 || AFR || {{flagicon|ZAF|1928}} Gary Player (8) || align=center|274 || align=center|−18 || 1 stroke || {{flagicon|ZAF|1928}} Bobby Cole || Royal Johannesburg || <ref name=sao1972>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=H5ZAAAAAIBAJ&pg=6643%2C2594468 |newspaper=The Glasgow Herald |title=Player wins by one stroke |date=14 February 1972 |page=5 |access-date=20 November 2020 |via=Google News Archive}}</ref> |- | style="background:white"|60th | align=center|1971 || || {{flagicon|Rhodesia}} Simon Hobday || align=center|276 || align=center|−12 || 1 stroke || {{flagicon|ZAF|1928}} Gary Player || Mowbray || <ref name=sao1971>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=KJJAAAAAIBAJ&pg=6711%2C2721670 |newspaper=The Glasgow Herald |title=Hobday holds off Player |date=15 February 1971 |page=5 |access-date=20 November 2020 |via=Google News Archive}}</ref> |- | style="background:white"|59th | align=center|1970 || || {{flagicon|ENG}} Tommy Horton || align=center|285 || align=center| || 3 strokes || {{flagicon|ZAF|1928}} Terry Westbrook || Royal Durban || |- | style="background:white"|58th | align=center|1969 || || {{flagicon|ZAF|1928}} Gary Player (7) || align=center|273 || align=center| || 6 strokes || {{flagicon|ZAF|1928}} Trevor Wilkes || Durban || |- | style="background:white"|57th | align=center|1968 || || {{flagicon|ZAF|1928}} Gary Player (6) || align=center|274 || align=center| || 7 strokes || {{flagicon|ZAF|1928}} Cobie Legrange || Houghton || |- | style="background:white"|56th | align=center|1967 || || {{flagicon|ZAF|1928}} Gary Player (5) || align=center|279 || align=center| || 3 strokes || {{flagicon|ZAF|1928}} Allan Henning {{flagicon|ENG}} Mike Hoyle || East London || |- | style="background:white"|55th | align=center|1966 || || {{flagicon|ZAF|1928}} Gary Player (4) || align=center|278 || align=center| || 1 stroke || {{flagicon|ZAF|1928}} Harold Henning {{flagicon|ZAF|1928}} Cobie Legrange || Houghton || |- | style="background:white"|54th | align=center|1965 || || {{flagicon|ZAF|1928}} Gary Player (3) || align=center|273 || align=center| || 3 strokes || {{flagicon|ZAF|1928}} John Hayes || Royal Cape || |- | colspan=10 align=center |''1964: No tournament due to two events in 1963'' |- | style="background:white"|53rd | align=center|1963 (Dec) || || {{flagicon|ZAF|1928}} Allan Henning || align=center|278 || || 2 strokes || {{flagicon|ZAF|1928}} Bruce Keyter || Bloemfontein || |- | style="background:white"|52nd | align=center|1963 (Mar) || || {{flagicon|ZAF|1928}} Retief Waltman (2) || align=center|281 || || 1 stroke || {{flagicon|ZAF|1928}} Sewsunker Sewgolum || Durban || |- | style="background:white"|51st | align=center|1962 || || {{flagicon|ZAF|1928}} Harold Henning (2) || align=center|285 || || 1 stroke || {{flagicon|ZAF|1928}} Denis Hutchinson || Houghton || |- | style="background:white"|50th | align=center|1961 || || {{flagicon|ZAF|1928}} Retief Waltman || align=center|289 || || 8 strokes || {{flagicon|ZAF|1928}} Barry Franklin (a) || East London || |- | style="background:white"|49th | align=center|1960 || || {{flagicon|ZAF|1928}} Gary Player (2) || align=center|280 || || 7 strokes || {{flagicon|ZAF|1928}} Harold Henning {{flagicon|ZAF|1928}} Tommy Trevena || Mowbray || |- | style="background:white"|48th | align=center|1959 || || {{flagicon|ZAF|1928}} Denis Hutchinson (a) || align=center|282 || || 1 stroke || {{flagicon|ZAF|1928}} Gary Player || Royal Johannesburg || |- | style="background:white"|47th | align=center|1958 || || {{flagicon|ZAF|1928}} Arthur Stewart (a) || align=center|281 || || 1 stroke || {{flagicon|ZAF|1928}} Bobby Locke || Bloemfontein || |- | style="background:white"|46th | align=center|1957 || || {{flagicon|ZAF|1928}} Harold Henning || align=center|289 || || Playoff{{efn|Henning won the 36-hole playoff with a score of 144 to Guthrie's 146.}} || {{flagicon|ZAF|1928}} Sandy Guthrie || Humewood || |- | style="background:white"|45th | align=center|1956 || || {{flagicon|ZAF|1928}} Gary Player || align=center|286 || || 3 strokes || {{flagicon|ZAF|1928}} Bruce Keyter || Durban || |- | style="background:white"|44th | align=center|1955 || || {{flagicon|ZAF|1928}} Bobby Locke (9) || align=center|283 || || 1 stroke || {{flagicon|ZAF|1928}} Reg Taylor || Zwartkop || |- | style="background:white"|43rd | align=center|1954 || || {{flagicon|ZAF|1928}} Reg Taylor (a) || align=center|289 || || 2 strokes || {{flagicon|ZAF|1928}} Jannie le Roux (a) || East London || |- | style="background:white"|42nd | align=center|1953 || || {{flagicon|ZAF|1928}} Jimmy Boyd (a) || align=center|302 || || Playoff{{efn|Boyd won the 36-hole playoff with a score of 162 to Hayes 163.}} || {{flagicon|ZAF|1928}} Otway Hayes || Royal Cape || |- | style="background:white"|41st | align=center|1952 || || {{flagicon|ZAF|1928}} Sid Brews (8) || align=center|305 || || 1 stroke || {{flagicon|ZAF|1928}} Sandy Guthrie || Humewood || |- | style="background:white"|40th | align=center|1951 || || {{flagicon|ZAF|1928}} Bobby Locke (8) || align=center|277 || || 9 strokes || {{flagicon|ZAF|1928}} Jimmy Boyd (a) {{flagicon|IRL}} Harry Bradshaw || Houghton || |- | style="background:white"|39th | align=center|1950 || || {{flagicon|ZAF|1928}} Bobby Locke (7) || align=center|280 || || 11 strokes || {{flagicon|ZAF|1928}} Sandy Guthrie || Durban || |- | style="background:white"|38th | align=center|1949 || || {{flagicon|ZAF|1928}} Sid Brews (7) || align=center|291 || || 3 strokes || {{flagicon|ZAF|1928}} Eric Moore || Maccauvlei || |- | style="background:white"|37th | align=center|1948 || || {{flagicon|ZAF|1928}} Mickey Janks (a) || align=center|298 || || Playoff{{efn|Janks won the 36-hole playoff with a score of 147 to Guthrie's 153.}} || {{flagicon|ZAF|1928}} Sandy Guthrie || East London || |- | style="background:white"|36th | align=center|1947 || || {{flagicon|ZAF|1928}} Ronnie Glennie (a) || align=center|293 || || 1 stroke || {{flagicon|ZAF|1928}} Eric Moore || Mowbray || |- | style="background:white"|35th | align=center|1946 || || {{flagicon|ZAF|1928}} Bobby Locke (6) || align=center|285 || || 14 strokes || Steve Boshoff (a) || Royal Johannesburg || |- | colspan=10 align=center |''1941–1945: No tournament due to World War II'' |- | style="background:white"|34th | align=center|1940 || || {{flagicon|ZAF|1928}} Bobby Locke (5) || align=center|293 || || 10 strokes || Steve Boshoff (a) || Port Elizabeth || |- | style="background:white"|33rd | align=center|1939 || || {{flagicon|ZAF|1928}} Bobby Locke (4) || align=center|279 || || 8 strokes || Maurice Bodmer (a) {{flagicon|ZAF|1928}} Clarence Olander (a) || Durban || |- | style="background:white"|32nd | align=center|1938 || || {{flagicon|ZAF|1928}} Bobby Locke (3) || align=center|279 || || 5 strokes || {{flagicon|ZAF|1928}} Sid Brews || Maccauvlei || |- | style="background:white"|31st | align=center|1937 || || {{flagicon|ZAF|1928}} Bobby Locke (a) (2) || align=center|288 || || 11 strokes || {{flagicon|ZAF|1928}} Clarence Olander (a) || East London || |- | style="background:white"|30th | align=center|1936 || || {{flagicon|ZAF|1928}} Clarence Olander (a) || align=center|297 || || Playoff{{efn|Olander won the 36-hole playoff with a score of 146 to Robertson's 151.}} || J Robertson || Royal Cape || |- | style="background:white"|29th | align=center|1935 || || {{flagicon|ZAF|1928}} Bobby Locke (a) || align=center|296 || || 3 strokes || Jock Verwey (a) || Parkview || |- | style="background:white"|28th | align=center|1934 || || {{flagicon|ZAF|1928}} Sid Brews (6) || align=center|319 || || 7 strokes || Jock Verwey (a) || Humewood || |- | style="background:white"|27th | align=center|1933 || || {{flagicon|ZAF|1928}} Sid Brews (5) || align=center|297 || || 3 strokes || {{flagicon|ENG}} Charles McIlvenny || Maccauvlei || |- | style="background:white"|26th | align=center|1932 || || {{flagicon|ENG}} Charles McIlvenny || align=center|304 || || 4 strokes || {{flagicon|ENG}} Bob Grimsdell || Mowbray || |- | style="background:white"|25th | align=center|1931 || || {{flagicon|ZAF|1928}} Sid Brews (4) || align=center|302 || || 3 strokes || {{flagicon|ENG}} Bob Grimsdell {{flagicon|ENG}} Charles McIlvenny || Port Elizabeth || |- | style="background:white"|24th | align=center|1930 || || {{flagicon|ZAF|1928}} Sid Brews (3) || align=center|297 || || 11 strokes || {{flagicon|ZAF|1928}} Jock Brews || East London || |- | style="background:white"|23rd | align=center|1929 || || {{flagicon|SCO}} Archie Tosh || align=center|315 || || 1 stroke || {{flagicon|ZAF|1928}} Jock Brews || Royal Cape || |- | style="background:white"|22nd | align=center|1928 || || {{flagicon|ZAF|1928}} Jock Brews (4) || align=center|297 || || 1 stroke || {{flagicon|ZAF|1912}} Sid Brews || Durban || |- | style="background:white"|21st | align=center|1927 || || {{flagicon|ZAF|1912}} Sid Brews (2) || align=center|301 || || 5 strokes || {{flagicon|ENG}} Bert Elkin {{flagicon|ENG}} Charles McIlvenny || Maccauvlei || |- | style="background:white"|20th | align=center|1926 || || {{flagicon|ZAF|1912}} Jock Brews (3) || align=center|301 || || 9 strokes || {{flagicon|ENG}} Bert Elkin || Port Elizabeth || |- | style="background:white"|19th | align=center|1925 || || {{flagicon|ZAF|1912}} Sid Brews || align=center|295 || || 3 strokes || {{flagicon|ZAF|1912}} Jock Brews || Johannesburg || |- | style="background:white"|18th | align=center|1924 || || {{flagicon|ENG}} Bert Elkin || align=center|316 || || 9 strokes || {{flagicon|ZAF|1912}} Jock Brews {{flagicon|ZAF|1912}} Sid Brews || Durban || |- | style="background:white"|17th | align=center|1923 || || {{flagicon|ZAF|1912}} Jock Brews (2) || align=center|315 || || 1 stroke || {{flagicon|SCO}} Archie Tosh || Royal Cape || |- | style="background:white"|16th | align=center|1922 || || {{flagicon|ZAF|1912}} Fred Jangle || align=center|310 || || 7 strokes || {{flagicon|ZAF|1912}} Jock Brews || Port Alfred || |- | style="background:white"|15th | align=center|1921 || || {{flagicon|ZAF|1912}} Jock Brews || align=center|316 || || 3 strokes || {{flagicon|SCO}} Archie Tosh || Port Elizabeth || |- | style="background:white"|14th | align=center|1920 || || {{flagicon|SCO}} Laurie Waters (4) || align=center|302 || || 2 strokes || {{flagicon|ENG}} Bert Elkin || Johannesburg || |- | style="background:white"|13th | align=center|1919 || || {{flagicon|ENG}} William Horne || align=center|320 || || 9 strokes || {{flagicon|SCO}} Hugh Gordon Stewart (a) || Durban || |- | colspan=10 align=center |''1915–1918: No tournament due to World War I'' |- | style="background:white"|12th | align=center|1914 || || {{flagicon|SCO}} George Fotheringham (5) || align=center|299 || || 20 strokes || {{flagicon|ZAF|1912}} Jock Brews || Royal Cape || |- | style="background:white"|11th | align=center|1913 || || {{flagicon|SCO}} Jimmy Prentice (a) || align=center|304 || || 2 strokes || {{flagicon|SCO}} Willie Binnie {{flagicon|SCO}} Jack Fotheringham || Kimberley || |- | style="background:white"|10th | align=center|1912 || || {{flagicon|SCO}} George Fotheringham (4) || align=center|305 || || 10 strokes || {{flagicon|SCO}} Laurie Waters || Potchefstroom || |- | style="background:white"|9th | align=center|1911 || || {{flagicon|SCO}} George Fotheringham (3) || align=center|301 || || 11 strokes || {{flagicon|SCO}} David Guthrie || Durban || |- | style="background:white"|8th | align=center|1910 || || {{flagicon|SCO}} George Fotheringham (2) || align=center|315 || || 5 strokes || {{flagicon|ENG}} Arthur Gray || Royal Cape || |- | style="background:white"|7th | align=center|1909 || || {{flagicon|SCO}} Jack Fotheringham || align=center|306 || || 2 strokes || {{flagicon|SCO}} George Fotheringham || Potchefstroom || |- | style="background:white"|6th | align=center|1908 || || {{flagicon|SCO}} George Fotheringham || align=center|294 || || 9 strokes || {{flagicon|SCO}} Laurie Waters || Port Elizabeth || |- | style="background:white"|5th | align=center|1907 || || {{flagicon|SCO}} Laurie Waters (3) || align=center|147{{efn|Some sources have Waters score as 146.}} || || 5 strokes || {{flagicon|SCO}} Walter Day Jr || Kimberley || |- | style="background:white"|4th | align=center|1906 || || {{flagicon|ENG}} Arthur Gray (2) || align=center|151 || || 3 strokes || H. F. Watson (a) || East London || |- | style="background:white"|3rd | align=center|1905 || || {{flagicon|ENG}} Arthur Gray || align=center| || || Playoff{{efn|Gray won the playoff by a stroke with a score of 151.}} || {{flagicon|SCO}} George Fotheringham || Garrison Club || |- | style="background:white"|2nd | align=center|1904 || || {{flagicon|SCO}} Laurie Waters (2) || align=center|143 || || 4 strokes || {{flagicon|ENG}} Arthur Gray || Johannesburg || |- | style="background:white"|1st | align=center|1903 || || {{flagicon|SCO}} Laurie Waters || align=center|163 || || 3 strokes || J. W. Stewart || Port Elizabeth || |} Source:<ref name=saga/><ref name=sabsor>{{cite book |title=The Allied Book of South African Sport & Sports Records |issue=2 |publisher=SASBOR |date=1988 |pages=1941–1949 |isbn=0620128828 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=xjwTAQAAIAAJ |via=Google Books}}</ref>

==See also== *Open golf tournament

==Notes== {{notelist}}

==References== {{reflist}}

==External links== *[https://www.europeantour.com/dpworld-tour/investec-south-african-open-championship-2026/ Coverage on the European Tour's official site] *[https://sunshinetour.com/tournament?id=224S&code=SAOP Coverage on the Sunshine Tour's official site] *[https://www.investec.com/en_gb/sponsorships/sa-open-golf-championship.html Coverage on Investec's official site]

Category:European Tour events Category:Golf tournaments in South Africa Category:Sunshine Tour events Category:Recurring sporting events established in 1903 Category:1903 establishments in Transvaal Colony

South African Open (golf)

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