The defending champion, Dean Burmester, has confirmed that he will tee it up in the 2025 SA Open at the Durban Country Club.

The LIV golfer from Bloemfontein will make a rare appearance in South Africa to play in the world’s second-oldest Open.

The 2022 champion, Thriston Lawrence, has also confirmed that he will be back to play in the 114th edition of the prestigious event.

Burmester said being able to play in the SA Open is a big deal for South Africans as it’s the one local tournament on everyone’s bucket list.

Dean Burmester. Picture: Sunshine Tour

“For us as South Africans it’s our fifth Major and we all want to win it so badly. To have won this championship sponsored by Investec, who gave me my first break as a young professional, is very special,” said Burmester.

“I’m very grateful. This is a tournament I watched growing up and I watched legends like Ernie Els, Retief Goosen, Louis Oosthuizen and Branden Grace win this.

For the Durban Country Club it’s also special to host the event for the first time in 15 years, and the Chairman of the club, Errol Stewart, said they look forward to hosting the national open for the 18th time.

Thriston Lawrence. Picture: Sunshine Tour

“We are extremely proud to host the South African Open Championship for a record 18th time and to showcase the major upgrades to the golf course,” said the former Proteas cricketer and Sharks rugby player.

“We are privileged to have the South African Open back on these fairways for what we are sure will be a challenging and memorable test of golf.”

The National Open will be played in Durban for the first time since 2010 when Ernie Els won his fifth title. The 114th SA Open will be played from 27 February to 2 March 2025.

OFM Sport/Morgan Piek cg