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Alfred Dunhill Championship
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The Alfred Dunhill Championship is a men's professional golf tournament which is played in South Africa. It is part of the Southern African Sunshine Tour and is one of several events in South Africa that are co-sanctioned by the more prestigious European Tour.
Key Information
History
[edit]The tournament was founded in 2000, but its origins lie in Dunhill's sponsorship of the South African PGA Championship between 1995 and 1999. Following the 1999 Alfred Dunhill PGA Championship, the company decided to discontinue their association with the South African PGA, and create their own stand alone tournament. The first event was held in January 2000 at the Houghton Golf Club in Johannesburg, and replaced the South African PGA Championship on the European Tour calendar.[citation needed]
In 2004, the tournament was rescheduled to December, resulting in two events being staged that year; one in January and one in December. Following this change, the Alfred Dunhill Championship has formed part of the following year's European Tour season. In addition, the event was moved to the Leopard Creek Country Club, just south of the Kruger National Park in Malalane, Mpumalanga.[citation needed]
The 2021 event was scheduled to take place at Leopard Creek Country Club from 9–12 December. It was 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 cancelled less than two weeks before the tournament was due to start.[1]
Flagship event
[edit]In 2016, the Alfred Dunhill Championship replaced the South African Open as the tour's flagship event by the Official World Golf Ranking governing board. The winner was awarded 32 OWGR points. The change only lasted for one edition before reverting to the South African Open the following year as no tournament was held.[2] In 2020, the Alfred Dunhill Championship once again became the tour's flagship event.[3] The event was intended to be the flagship event again in 2021. However, due to the cancellation of the tournament, the flagship event status was passed onto the South African Open.[4]
Winners
[edit]| Sunshine Tour (Flagship event) | 2016, 2020 | |
| Sunshine Tour (Regular) | 2000–2015, 2017–2018, 2022– |
Notes
[edit]- ^ AFR − Sunshine Tour; EUR − European Tour.
- ^ Shortened to 54 holes due to rain.
References
[edit]- ^ "Irish golfers battling travel chaos to get back from South Africa after pulling out of Joburg Open". Irish Independent. 26 November 2021.
- ^ "SA Open receives world ranking flagship status". News 24. 8 January 2018. Retrieved 18 November 2020.
- ^ "How the ranking evolved". Official World Golf Ranking. Retrieved 18 November 2020.
- ^ Sherman, Michael (1 December 2021). "SA Open goes ahead without co-sanctioned status for first time in 25 years". IOL. Retrieved 2 December 2021.
- ^ Butler, Lynn (26 November 2021). "Sunshine Tour confirm SA Open to go ahead in Sun City, Alfred Dunhill Championship cancelled". Sport24. News24. Retrieved 27 November 2021.
External links
[edit]Alfred Dunhill Championship
View on GrokipediaOverview
Tournament Information
The Alfred Dunhill Championship is a professional men's golf tournament established in 2000.[3] It is co-sanctioned by the Sunshine Tour and the DP World Tour (formerly the European Tour), with the Sunshine Tour serving as the primary organizing body.[1][7] The event is typically scheduled for early December at a South African venue, though the 2025 edition will temporarily shift to the Royal Johannesburg Golf Club's East Course to allow Leopard Creek to recover from environmental stress; it was previously held at Houghton Golf Club from 2000 to 2003 before moving to Leopard Creek Country Club in 2004.[3][8][6] As of 2025, the tournament offers a total purse of €1,500,000, with the winner's share amounting to €255,000.[2] The field comprises 156 professional players competing in a 72-hole stroke-play format.[1] After 36 holes, a cut is applied to the top 65 players and ties, who advance to the final two rounds played in two-balls.[4][1] The layout is a par-72 course, with yardage varying by host venue; at Leopard Creek Country Club, it measures 7,249 yards.[9][10]Sponsorship and Organization
The Alfred Dunhill Championship is named after the British luxury goods brand Alfred Dunhill Limited, which serves as its title sponsor and has been integral to the event's identity since its inception.[11][12] The brand, known for its high-end menswear, leather goods, and accessories, leverages the tournament to align its heritage of craftsmanship and sophistication with the prestige of professional golf.[12] Alfred Dunhill's sponsorship of the tournament traces back to its earlier involvement in South African golf, beginning with the title sponsorship of the South African PGA Championship from 1996 to 1999, rebranded during that period as the Alfred Dunhill PGA Championship and held at Houghton Golf Club.[3][1] This marked one of the brand's initial forays into co-sanctioned international events, highlighting its commitment to elevating golf in the region. The standalone Alfred Dunhill Championship launched in 2000, directly evolving from this prior sponsorship, and has maintained the brand's naming rights ever since.[3][1] The event is primarily organized by the Sunshine Tour, South Africa's leading professional golf circuit, with co-sanctioning by the DP World Tour since its debut in 2000, ensuring alignment with global standards and attracting top international talent.[3][1][7] Alfred Dunhill Limited's role extends beyond naming rights, as the sponsorship supports initiatives like the South African Golf Development Board, fostering grassroots development in the sport.[13] This reflects the brand's deeper ties to South African golf heritage, including its earlier sponsorship of the Alfred Dunhill Cup, a now-defunct international team event held from 1985 to 2000 at St Andrews.[14]History
Establishment and Early Years
The Alfred Dunhill Championship was established in 2000 as a new professional golf tournament co-sanctioned by the European Tour and the Sunshine Tour, marking one of the earliest globally co-sanctioned events on the European Tour schedule.[3] It replaced the South African PGA Championship, which Alfred Dunhill had sponsored from 1996 to 1999, transitioning the brand's support to this standalone individual stroke-play competition to build on the existing legacy in South African golf.[3] The inaugural edition took place from January 18 to 21 at Houghton Golf Club in Johannesburg. Englishman Anthony Wall won the rain-shortened 54-hole event with a score of 204 (−12), two shots ahead of Gary Orr and Phillip Price, securing his first European Tour title.[15][16] From its outset, the tournament aimed to elevate the profile of South African golf on the international stage by attracting top global talent through its inclusion on the European Tour, thereby providing Sunshine Tour players with enhanced exposure and competitive opportunities against international fields.[3] It awarded Official World Golf Ranking points to participants starting in 2000, contributing to players' global standings and underscoring its immediate significance beyond regional play. The event remained at Houghton Golf Club for its first four years (2000–2003), fostering early momentum with strong fields that included emerging stars.[17] Early editions highlighted the tournament's role in launching professional careers, with Australian Adam Scott winning in 2001 at age 20 for his maiden European Tour victory after birdieing the final hole at Houghton.[18] Englishman Justin Rose followed in 2002, also securing his first professional title with a two-stroke margin, further establishing the championship as a key early-season event that blended local and international success.[9] These wins by non-South African players exemplified the event's growing international appeal during its foundational phase through the mid-2000s.[3]Venue and Scheduling Changes
In 2004, the Alfred Dunhill Championship relocated from its original Johannesburg venue to Leopard Creek Country Club in Malelane, selected for the course's scenic positioning along the Crocodile River adjacent to Kruger National Park and its demanding layout featuring water hazards, bunkers, and undulating fairways.[3][8][19] That same year, the tournament underwent a significant scheduling shift from its traditional November date to December to synchronize with the European Tour's calendar, leading to two editions in 2004: a January event at Houghton Golf Club and the inaugural December edition at Leopard Creek.[4] This adjustment established the December timing as a fixture, enhancing its role as a late-season highlight co-sanctioned by the DP World Tour and Sunshine Tour.[20] The event has been held annually at Leopard Creek since the December 2004 edition. It was held there in 2016 before being cancelled in 2017 to accommodate major renovations at the course, including updates to greens, fairways, and irrigation systems aimed at improving playability and sustainability.[21][22] These adaptations have helped maintain the tournament's prestige while addressing operational challenges in South Africa's variable climate and tour logistics.Interruptions and Recent Developments
The Alfred Dunhill Championship was cancelled in 2017 due to planned renovations at Leopard Creek Golf Club, marking the first time the event was not held since its establishment.[22][23] The tournament faced another interruption in 2021, when it was cancelled owing to COVID-19-related travel restrictions between Europe and South Africa, which severely impacted international participation.[24][23] Following these disruptions, the event was reinstated in 2022 at Leopard Creek, returning to its traditional venue and schedule in December.[25] Post-pandemic, the tournament has highlighted strong performances from local South African golfers, with Ockie Strydom securing victory in 2022, Louis Oosthuizen in 2023, and Shaun Norris in 2024.[26][27][5] For the 2025 edition (December 11–14), the tournament will temporarily relocate to the East Course at Royal Johannesburg Golf Club to allow Leopard Creek to recover from environmental stress, with plans to return thereafter.[6] Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) points for the winner have fluctuated over time, peaking at 32 during its designation as a flagship event in select years prior to the interruptions.[28] Recent editions have awarded fewer points, reflecting adjustments in tour status and field strength amid global challenges.[29]Format and Venue
Tournament Format
The Alfred Dunhill Championship is contested as a 72-hole stroke play event over four days, with competitors playing 18 holes each round in accordance with the Rules of Golf as governed by The R&A.[1] The field consists of 156 professional golfers, drawn primarily from exemption categories on the co-sanctioning DP World Tour and Sunshine Tour, including top-ranked players from each circuit's Order of Merit, past champions, and sponsor invitations to ensure a competitive international lineup.[1][3] Players are grouped in three-balls for the first two rounds to facilitate efficient play, transitioning to two-balls for the final two rounds following the cut.[1] Unlike some events with pro-am components integrated into the main competition, the Alfred Dunhill Championship features a pure professional field, though a separate pro-am is held on the Tuesday preceding the tournament.[1] After 54 holes, the field is reduced via a cut to the top 65 players and ties, aligning with standard DP World Tour procedures for such events to maintain a manageable weekend field while rewarding strong performances.[30][1] In the event of a tie for the title after 72 holes, the winner is determined by a sudden-death playoff starting on the 18th hole and continuing on subsequent holes as needed until a champion emerges.[1]Host Courses and Conditions
The primary venue for the Alfred Dunhill Championship is Leopard Creek Country Club in Malelane, Mpumalanga, South Africa, a Gary Player-designed layout that opened in 1996. This par-72 course measures 7,112 yards (6,503 m) and is celebrated for its seamless blend of manicured fairways and the surrounding bushveld terrain, where dense vegetation and strategic water hazards demand precision from players rather than raw power.[31][32][33] Leopard Creek's unique environmental challenges stem from its location along the Crocodile River and adjacent to Kruger National Park, where wildlife including crocodiles, hippos, elephants, and antelope often roam near fairways and hazards, adding an unpredictable element to play. Signature holes exemplify these features: the par-5 9th requires a bold drive over the river followed by an approach to a peninsula green guarded by water, while the par-5 18th culminates in an island green across the river, offering panoramic views of the park but punishing errant shots with severe penalties. The course's firm, undulating greens, protected by bunkers and native grasses, further reward accurate iron play amid the humid, subtropical setting.[34][33][35] For the 2025 edition (December 11–14), the tournament will be held at Royal Johannesburg Golf Club's East Course in Johannesburg to allow Leopard Creek to recover from environmental stress caused by recent hot summers and multiple events, before returning to its traditional venue in 2026.[6] The event occurs in December, Mpumalanga's summer season, bringing hot and humid conditions with average highs around 32–37°C (90–99°F) and high humidity levels that can sap energy, alongside the risk of sudden thunderstorms causing delays or suspensions.[36][37] Alternate host courses have included Houghton Golf Club in Johannesburg, the tournament's inaugural venue from 2000 to 2003, featuring a classic parkland style with mature eucalyptus and pine trees lining fairways, creating a shaded, strategic test in an urban environment.[13][38]Significance
Role as Flagship Event
The Alfred Dunhill Championship was designated as the flagship event of the Sunshine Tour starting in 2016, temporarily replacing the South African Open and awarding 32 Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) points to the winner—the highest allocation on the tour at the time.[28] This elevation underscored the tournament's growing prominence within the regional circuit, providing a significant boost to the winner's global standing.[17] The status change lasted only for the 2016 edition before reverting to the South African Open in 2017.[17] The flagship designation was reinstated for the 2020 edition, reaffirming the event's role as the Sunshine Tour's premier competition and again offering the maximum 32 OWGR points to the victor.[17] However, in 2021, following the tournament's cancellation due to travel restrictions amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the status was transferred to the South African Open to maintain the tour's flagship allocation.[17] This periodic flagship role highlights the event's adaptability and importance in the tour's scheduling. Victory in the Alfred Dunhill Championship as a flagship event substantially enhances the winner's world ranking through the generous OWGR points distribution and grants key exemptions, including a two-year DP World Tour membership for the winner.[39] The tournament's prestige is further amplified by its sponsorship from the luxury brand Alfred Dunhill, which embodies sophistication and exclusivity, consistently drawing top-tier international fields featuring major champions and world-ranked stars.[8]Impact on Professional Tours
The Alfred Dunhill Championship serves as a co-sanctioned event between the Sunshine Tour and the DP World Tour, allowing results to count toward the Order of Merit for both circuits and supporting player eligibility across the tours.[1] This dual recognition enables Sunshine Tour professionals to earn valuable ranking credits that contribute to their standing on the more globally oriented DP World Tour, fostering career progression and stability.[40] Through this co-sanctioning model, the tournament provides a crucial pathway for African golfers to access European-level competition, offering opportunities for Sunshine Tour members to compete against international fields and accumulate points toward full DP World Tour membership.[3] By integrating regional talent into a high-profile global event, it enhances player development and international visibility for emerging African professionals seeking to advance beyond continental circuits.[3] The event has significantly elevated the prominence of South African golf, with local players achieving notable success and recent dominance in the tournament, exemplified by victories from Shaun Norris in 2024 and Louis Oosthuizen in 2023.[5] This homegrown achievement underscores the championship's role in nurturing and showcasing domestic talent on an international stage.[9] Economically, the Alfred Dunhill Championship drives tourism and sponsorship inflows to South African golf, drawing international visitors and participants that stimulate local hospitality, accommodations, and related businesses.[41] As part of broader golf tourism initiatives, it contributes to the sport's overall economic footprint in the country, which includes enhancing "brand South Africa" through high-profile events.[42] In terms of Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) contributions, the tournament awards substantial points—approximately 17.7 to the winner—enabling mid-tier players to gain critical momentum in their rankings, which is essential for qualifying for major championships and elevating their professional profiles.[43] This ranking boost is particularly beneficial for players on the cusp of breakthrough seasons, providing a competitive edge in the global order.[29]Winners and Records
List of Winners
| Year | Winner | Nationality | Score | To Par | Margin of Victory | Winner's Share | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Shaun Norris | South Africa | 275 | −13 | 1 stroke | €255,000 | Leopard Creek Country Club, Malelane |
| 2023 | Louis Oosthuizen | South Africa | 270 | −18 | 2 strokes | €255,000 | Leopard Creek Country Club, Malelane |
| 2022 | Ockie Strydom | South Africa | 270 | −18 | 2 strokes | €255,000 | Leopard Creek Country Club, Malelane |
| 2021 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 2020 | Christiaan Bezuidenhout | South Africa | 274 | −14 | 4 strokes | R4,579,120 | Leopard Creek Country Club, Malelane |
| 2019 | Pablo Larrazábal | Spain | 280 | −8 | 1 stroke | €237,750 | Leopard Creek Country Club, Malelane |
| 2018 | David Lipsky | United States | 274 | −14 | 2 strokes | €237,750 | Leopard Creek Country Club, Malelane |
| 2017 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 2016 | Brandon Stone | South Africa | 266 | −22 | 7 strokes | €190,200 | Leopard Creek Country Club, Malelane |
| 2015 | Charl Schwartzel | South Africa | 273 | −15 | 4 strokes | €237,750 | Leopard Creek Country Club, Malelane |
| 2014 | Branden Grace | South Africa | 268 | −20 | 7 strokes | €237,750 | Leopard Creek Country Club, Malelane |
| 2013 | Charl Schwartzel | South Africa | 271 | −17 | 4 strokes | €237,750 | Leopard Creek Country Club, Malelane |
| 2012 | Charl Schwartzel | South Africa | 264 | −24 | 12 strokes | €237,750 | Leopard Creek Country Club, Malelane |
| 2011 | Garth Mulroy | South Africa | 269 | −19 | 2 strokes | €158,500 | Leopard Creek Country Club, Malelane |
| 2010 | Pablo Martín | Spain | 277 | −11 | 2 strokes | €158,500 | Leopard Creek Country Club, Malelane |
| 2009 | Pablo Martín | Spain | 271 | −17 | 1 stroke | €158,500 | Leopard Creek Country Club, Malelane |
| 2008 | Richard Sterne | South Africa | 271 | −17 | 1 stroke | €158,500 | Leopard Creek Country Club, Malelane |
| 2007 | John Bickerton | England | 275 | −13 | 1 stroke | €158,500 | Leopard Creek Country Club, Malelane |
| 2006 | Álvaro Quirós | Spain | 275 | −13 | 1 stroke | €158,500 | Leopard Creek Country Club, Malelane |
| 2005 | Ernie Els | South Africa | 274 | −14 | 3 strokes | €158,579 | Leopard Creek Country Club, Malelane |
| 2004 (December) | Charl Schwartzel | South Africa | 281 | −7 | Playoff | €120,576 | Leopard Creek Country Club, Malelane |
| 2004 (January) | Marcel Siem | Germany | 266 | −22 | Playoff | €114,700 | Houghton Golf Club, Johannesburg |
| 2003 | Mark Foster | England | 273 | −15 | Playoff | €121,700 | Houghton Golf Club, Johannesburg |
| 2002 | Justin Rose | England | 268 | −20 | 2 strokes | €128,173 | Houghton Golf Club, Johannesburg |
| 2001 | Adam Scott | Australia | 267 | −21 | 1 stroke | €123,071 | Houghton Golf Club, Johannesburg |
| 2000 | Anthony Wall | England | 204 | −12 | 2 strokes | €12,927 | Houghton Golf Club, Johannesburg |
