It’s a battle of historically significant events, the two national championships among the oldest in world golf.

The South African Open pips our own Stonehaven Cup by a year having first been contested in 1903 to Australia’s 1904.

In a perfect world each would be designated its own week on the calendar but given the crowded nature of the international golf schedule, 2022 won’t see that happen.

DEFENDING CHAMPION: Daniel van Tonder produced a scintillating final round 65 to post a one shot victory over compatriot Oliver Bekker in 2021. The tournament was dealt a harsh blow just days before tee off when the European Tour removed their co-sanctioning because of a travel ban implemented on the area.

The discovery of the Omicron variant of the Covid-19 virus meant international travel was cancelled to the region and the tournament was played as a Sunshine Tour only event for the first time since 1997.

RIGHT: Daniel Van Tonder claimed his national open last year after the tournament was reduced to a standalone Sunshine Tour event. PHOTO: Luke Walker/Getty Images.

COURSE: South African golf and Gary Player are synonymous with each other and this week’s host venue, Blair Atholl Golf & Equestrian Estate, is another of the octogenarian’s designs.

A high-end real estate development in Johannesburg, it is perhaps telling that the bulk of the video content related to the course focusses on the opulent homes that line its fairways rather than the layout itself.

A new venue in the South African Open rota, Blair Athol is an unknown entity for all in the field and the play this week will be viewed with considerable interest.

That interest will only be amplified by the course’s extreme length: Blair Atholl weighs in at a hefty 7,527 metres (8,233 yards).

It is believed to be the longest course in the southern hemisphere and features two par-5 holes that stretch beyond 580 metres.

The first is a daunting opener at 582 metres while the 16th almost makes it look pedestrian at 594 metres.

Of the five par-3s on the course three are in excess of 200 metres with the other two both measuring 180 metres.

Video and pictures suggest a course of mixed landscapes taking in everything from dense bushland to more open country with large bunkers bordering fairways.

PRIZEMONEY: US$1,500,000

PLAYERS TO WATCH: The venue might be new but the trophy is not and the South African Open has – rightly – attracted a strong field to play for one of the game’s oldest national championships.

Back in the DP World Tour fold after last year’s troubles, several of the old world circuit’s best known players have made the trip including recent Valderrama winner Adrian Otaegui and last week’s runner-up Sami Valamaki.

But it is the locals who have always proved difficult to overcome in South Africa and that will be the case again this year with a who’s who of the best Sunshine Tour and International South Africans in the field.

The defending champion, Daniel van Tonder, comes into the week in good form after a top-five finish last week in the Joburg Open.

The 31-year-old has had a season of mixed results but being back on home soil and returning as defending champion will be a confidence boost.

Similarly confident will be last week’s winner Dan Bradbury. It’s been a dream start to a professional career for the Englishman who has played just three tournaments since joining the pay for play ranks.

Most impressive about the performance was that it was a wire-to-wire win and the margin was three strokes which suggests Bradbury is naturally comfortable when in or near the lead.

But for all the well known names in the field there is always a large contingent of lesser known but extremely competitive local players and it is not at all unlikely for the winner to come from this pool.

From seasoned veterans such as Jaco van Zyl to proven campaigner like George Coetzee, the golf in South Africa is always competitive.

72-HOLE RECORD: 263 (-21, Branden Grace, 2020)

PAST AUSSIE WINNERS: No Australian has won this tournament.

TV TIMES*
Round 1: Thursday (Fox Sports 505 9pm – 2am)
Round 2: Friday (Fox Sports 505 9pm – 2am)
Round 3: Saturday (Fox Sports 505 9pm – 1.30am)
Round 4: Sunday (Fox Sports 505 9pm – 1.30am)
*AEDT, check local guides