32. That’s the number of days that will pass between the end of this week’s Mauritius Open and the next tournament on the DP World Tour schedule, the Abu Dhabi Championship, in 2023.
It’s what counts in golf for an off season and all those teeing up at Mont Choisy Le Golf will no doubt be looking forward to it with great enthusiasm once their work this week is done.
But there is a tournament to be played first and the sixth staging of the Mauritius Open will be a much anticipated one after a three year Covid hiatus.
First played in 2015 as a tri-sanctioned tournament between Europe, the Sunshine and Asian Tours, the 2022 event boasts only the DP World and the Sunshine Tours as sanctioning partners with Asia having hitched their wagon to the LIV Golf train.
DEFENDING CHAMPION: While not one of the premiere events on the DP World schedule the tournament boasts a pretty hand list of winners.
In 2019 it was Denmark’s Rasmus Hojgaard in a play-off over Antoine Rozner and Renato Paratore.
He joined proven Tour winners Kurt Kitayama, Dylan Frittelli, Jeung-Hun Wang and George Coetzee on the roster of champions and most players in this week’s field would happily take any of those careers.
COURSE: Mont Choisy Le Golf hosts for the first time in 2022 after the tournament rotated between the Heritage and Anahita courses in its five previous playings.
It is one of 10 courses boasting 18 holes on the country’s main island and there is much anticipation within the local golf community at seeing the layout tested by an elite field.
RIGHT: Rasmus Hojgaard won the unique trophy, and took it for a dip, the last time this event was played in 2019. PHOTO: Ross Kinnaird/Getty Images.
The course was designed by Peter Matkovich (who has two other layouts on the island) on a former sugar plantation.
Wide open and exposed to the breezes coming off the Indian Ocean, expect to see some interesting golf if the wind gets up.
Two short par-4s will be of particular interest over the course of the week, the 3rd and 13th both likely in reach for most of the field.
With short grass around the greens and small putting surfaces to aim at, expect to see some creative short game shots on a course that looks straightforward but will likely play somewhat trickier.
PLAYERS TO WATCH: Given the time of year and location this week sees opportunity knock for some of the Tour’s lesser lights as most of the biggest stars are already enjoying a Christmas break.
Given its co-sanctioned status with the Sunshine Tour and proximity to Africa there is a strong South African presence, and it would be no surprise to see the orange, white and blue flag flying at week’s end.
Among the favoured South Africans will be DP World Tour regular Dean Burmester who has been the club’s ambassador since 2017.
That relationship will certainly have given him more local knowledge than most in the field and after a top-10 result at Leopard Creek last week he won’t be short on confidence.
Also in that category will be countryman Oliver Bekker whose T4 result last week was a welcome turnaround after some middling performances on the African swing.
Of the continental DP World Tour regulars Finland’s Sami Valimaki is the best credentialled and while he will be disappointed with his form at Leopard Creek will like his chances in this field.
72-HOLE RECORD: 268 (Arjun Atwal & Dylan Frittelli, 2017, Kurt Kitayama, 2018)
PAST AUSSIE WINNERS: No Australian has won this event.
AUSTRALIANS IN THE FIELD: None
TV TIMES*
Round 1: Thursday (Fox Sports 505 LIVE 7:30pm – 12:30am)
Round 2: Friday (Fox Sports 505 LIVE 7:30pm – 12:30am)
Round 3: Saturday (Fox Sports 505 LIVE 7:30pm – 11.30pm)
Round 4: Sunday (Fox Sports 505 LIVE 7pm – 11.30pm)
*AEDT, check local guides
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