Charl, Paul up for SA ‘Major’

Glendower Golf Club is gearing up to host the 103rd edition from November 21 to 24 and the event received a massive boost with the news that Charl Schwartzel and Paul McGinley have confirmed their entries.

The pair will join defending champion Henrik Stenson, former winners Hennie Otto and James Kingston on the parklands layout for the world’s second oldest national Open after the British Open.

“I’ve always had the South African Open very high on my list. It’s one of the tournaments I regard as one of my Majors,” Schwartzel said at the announcement yesterday.

“It has always been my dream to win the SA Open trophy and for me there is no bigger title outside the Majors for a South African to win,” he added.

“I would like to experience that because there is something indescribable about winning your national Open. Ours is steeped in history and some of the greatest players from this country and abroad have their names on this trophy,” said Schwartzel, who won the event’s Freddie Tait Cup as the leading amateur in 2002.

“It really is a big goal for me. I prepare as if it is a Major. It would be a privilege to win this tournament. I’ve come close a few times.”

McGinley, who will captain the European team in next year’s Ryder Cup, is equally as excited to be teeing off in a few weeks.

“I have seen the trophy and it’s peppered with famous names and there seems to be something magical about getting your name on the cup,” McGinley said.

“It’s going to be a huge year for me in 2014 but first I just want to see 2013 out among friends and fans and who knows, maybe a little South African magic will rub off on me too.”