Charl Schwartzel
Photo Keith Allison

Jaco Van Zyl
Photo Kevin Murray


Danny Willett
Photo Kevin Murray

The Royal Johannesburg & Kensington Golf Club came into being after a merger of the former Royal Johannesburg Golf Club and the former Kensington Golf Club in 1998. The improvements to the Clubhouse and both courses at Royal Johannesburg were funded by the sale of the Kensington property.

The result is two outstanding courses with superb facilities. The Johannesburg Golf Club was founded on 6 November 1890 where members of the (Johannesburg Golf) Club first began playing “behind Hospital Hill” in an area that later became known as Clarendon Circle and Empire Road.

The rapid development of the city has seen the club move four times before finally settling in 1909 on the land it occupies today. During a visit to Johannesburg in 1930, the Prince of Wales, who later became King Edward VIII, played the course. Six months later he agreed to become its patron. In July 1931 a letter was received confirming that King George V had graciously consented to the “Royal” prefix being added to the club’s name.

My tips to win:

Defending Champion Charl Schwartzel 7/2 makes his 2012 debut at this year’s Joburg Open after finishing 4th on last years Race to Dubai and bagging his first major championship. Out of the eighteen tournaments Charl played on the European tour last year he finished out of the Top 25 twice, eleven of those finishes were in the Top 10.

I did pick Joco Van Zyl 16/1 to do well last week and although he didn’t win he managed to finish in the Top 5. As I said last week, he finished last season in great form, his last 10 events of 2011 saw him finish in the Top 25 nine times, three of those coming in the Top 10.

Danny Willett 25/1 shot a final round 73 at last weeks Africa Open which was a shame after all his hard work, but I think this could be a good year for the lad from Sheffield. He only had one Top 10 finish last year, but has the ability to do well and seems to have started this year off with a more determined attitude.

My each way tips:

Tommy Fleetwood 50/1 is probably feeling a bit miffed after last weeks eighteenth place finish, he was in perfect position after his first two rounds, but his 72 and 70 in his final two rounds saw him fall back down the field, a lesson I am sure he will put right this week.

Emiliano Grillo 100/1 won his card at this years qualifying school and I liked the way he finished last weeks Africa Open, shooting a final round 65 to move his up through the field. The Argentinean isn’t one to shy away from doing what it takes to become a top class golfer, leaving his hometown at the age of 14 to move to Buenos Aires so he could play more golf.

I liked the way Peter Karmis 125/1 finished at last weeks Africa Open with his closing round 68. He only shot one round out of the 60s, which was his 3under 70 on day two and being a local lad will be looking to do well again this week.

As always good luck