Six South Africans, led by Jaco Ahlers, will tee it up alongside the likes of Ryder Cup winner Jamie Donaldson, Challenge tour graduate Jordan Smith and China’s Haotong Li at this week’s Rocco Forte Open in Verdura Sicily.
Leading the South African charge will be Jaco Ahlers, who is the highest-ranked of the six in the field at 245th. A final round 76 cost him a good finish last week at the Open de Portugal, and he will be looking to make amends as he looks to improve his 162nd place in the Race to Dubai.
A bad Saturday cost Trevor Fisher Jnr a much bigger payday in Portugal after he blew out with a 78 on moving day. Fisher Jnr rebounded nicely with a Sunday 69, and will be confident heading into this week.
Haydn Porteous has not played on the European Tour since missing the cut at the Volvo China Open, and will be looking to better his best finish of the season which came at the Trophee Hassan II in Morocco, where he ended up in a share of 13th.
2008 Masters champion Trevor Immelman returns to the European Tour after a break in South Africa as he looks to find some form after a string of missed cuts.
Zander Lombard and Jbe Kruger round out the South African contingent.
Saffa tee times:
