Nedbank Challenge Preview

The most prestigious golf tournament in Africa takes place this week, with twelve of the world's finest players travelling to <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" />Sun City for the Nedbank Golf Challenge.<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /> The salubrious surroundings and 1.2 million dollar purse has always attracted a strong field and this year the home fans have their two favourite sons from the golfing world taking part, Ernie Els and Retief Goosen. Els will be trying to become the first man to take the title four times, and the world number two usually enjoys his involvement. This could probably not be said of last year however when he finished second last. The Big Easy clearly knows his way around the course but 2/1 is on the short side against a field of this class, and considering his poor effort last season. Goosen has spent much of his career being compared to Els and for many years it was debatable as to which one would truly carry the South African flag. It would have to be said that Els has largely done so, but the Goose still ranks at number four in the world, and with two, has just one fewer Major Championships to his name. One of these two came this year at the US Open where he was calmness personified in the face of a terrifying final day set-up at Shinnecock Hills, and with some of the world's top names also in contention. Consistency and unflappability are the main strengths of Goosen, something borne out by the fact that he is one of only two players to have won on the US PGA Tour for the last four seasons, and this being achieved while being a full member of the European Tour. He has never won this event though, and despite coming close when losing in a playoff twelve months ago, we can see better value that the 7/2 being offered for him. One of two men we are going to go for is the same man who defeated him in that playoff, Sergio Garcia. That victory really came as a surprise for the young Spaniard, as the majority of 2003 had been spent in the golfing doldrums whilst making alterations to his swing. It led him into the New Year with spirits high and it has proved to be a fruitful campaign. Fourth place at the US Masters was the first indication that his game was well and truly back in order, but it was two wins at the Byron Nelson and the Buick Classic which put this beyond all doubt. He has also won the Mallorca Open in October, come second at the Volvo Masters and was Europe's joint top scorer at the Ryder Cup. He has won this title twice in four appearances, and another success would take him alongside the African trio of Els, Nick Price and David Frost as the only men to have triumphed three times. At 17/4, we feel El Nino is worth backing. Elsewhere in the starting sheet, Lee Westwood deserves some support as he has always had a good record when playing around the world, winning on five continents so far in his career. Africa has already been taken care of, although not in this event. In four appearances he has never finished outside of the top five however with results reading 4th (1998), 4th (1999), 2nd (2000) and 5th (2001). As with Garcia, Westwood has had troubled times in recent seasons, with the low point coming in 2002 when the Englishman slipped to 75th on the European Order of Merit. Two victories at the latter part of last season (BMW International Open and Dunhill Links Championship) announced his rejuvenation however, and there has been little time for looking back. No more titles have gone his way, but he has been consistently amassing sizeable cheques. In six elite events over the past few months, the 31 year old has not once finished outside of the top sixteen, with four top tens and a tremendous display at the Ryder Cup. Westwood can be backed at 11/1 (Labdrokes)and when such a consistent and lengthy run of form on his side, this looks like a bet.