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South African Open Championship Preview & Tips - Top contenders for victory in Durban

Brad Newcomb

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Last updated: 25 Feb 2025

Brad Newcomb 25 Feb 2025

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The Investec South African Open Championship takes place between 27 Feb-2 March
The tournament takes place at the Durban Country Club, Durban, South Africa
Dean Burmester defends his title with other key contenders John Parry, Shaun Norris and Adrien Saddier

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Dean Burmester is the defending champion (Getty Images)

The South African Open Championship returns after a one-year break, with players vying for top honours at the Durban Country Club this weekend. Who will emerge victorious in this latest round of the DP World Tour this Sunday?

Dean Burmester is back to defend his title after a three-stroke victory over Renato Paratore, Jesper Svensson and Ryan van Velzen.

The South African Copen Championship returns to the Duban Country Club for the first time since 2010.

These are our four selections that could win the title this weekend.

Dean Burmester

Dean Burmester had a decent beginning to his season on the DP World Tour, finishing T28 at the Alfred Dunhill Championship before missing the cut at the Hero Dubai Desert Classic.

Burmester bounced back in his subsequent two events on the LIV Golf Tour, placing T4 in Riyadh and T12 in Adelaide.

The four-time DP World Tour winner's last nine starts at the South African Open Championship have been excellent, placing T10 in 2016, 4th in 2017, T54 in 2018, MC in 2018, MC in 2020, 4th in 2020, 4th in 2021, T5 in 2022 and victory in 2023.

Burmester has the form to win this tournament for the second successive time.

John Parry

John Parry got his season on the DP World Tour off to a flyer, winning the AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open.

After that performance, Parry could not maintain his level of play, missing the cut at the Hero Dubai Desert Classic, the Ras Al Khaimah Championship and the Bahrain Championship.

However, Parry has regained his touch lately, placing T21 at the Qatar Masters and 2nd at the Magical Kenya Open last weekend.

The 38-year-old has made five appearances at the South African Open Championship, with results of MC in 2009, T14 in 2010, T33 in 2015, MC in 20116 and T40 in 2017.

Parry will fancy his chances to win his second tournament of the year at the Durban Country Club.

Shaun Norris

Shaun Norris had the perfect beginning to his season on the DP World Tour after he secured victory at the Alfred Dunhill Championship.

Norris continued to play well in his subsequent three events, placing T6 at the Hero Dubai Desert Classic, T16 at the Ras Al Khaimah Championship, and T9 at the MyGolfLife Open (Challenge Tour) before missing the cut at the NTT Data Pro-Am (Challenge Tour).

Norris has yet to make an impact at the South African Open Championship, with results of T41 in 2015, MC in 2016, T52 in 2017, T54 in 2018, T20 in 2018, T36 in 2020, T46 in 2020, MC in 2022 and MC in 2023.

Norris has been in great touch lately and can feature prominently in Durban this weekend.

Adrien Saddier

Adrien Saddier was in decent nick at the start of the new DP World Tour season, finishing T34 at the BMW Australian PGA Championship and T11 at the ISPS Handa Australian Open before missing the cut at the Hero Dubai Desert Classic.

Saddier regained form after that performance, placing T13 at the Ras Al Khaimah Championship, T35 at the Qatar Masters, and T7 at the Magical Kenya Open last weekend.

The Frenchman has played at the South African Open Championship on six occasions, finishing T7 in 2018, MC in 2018, MC in 2020, MC in 2020, T56 in 2022 and T38 in 2023.

Saddier has been in solid form this season and shoulder enter calculations in South Africa this weekend.

Verdict

South African Open Championship

Burmester has an excellent record at the South African Open Championship and make the frame.

Parry has been playing well this season and can emerge as the winner in Durban this weekend.

Norris has the game to take home the winner's cheque come Sunday.

Saddier has achieved solid results this year and could upstage the others in South Africa this weekend.

Dean Burmester

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John Parry

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Shaun Norris

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Adrien Saddier

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