Nedbank Challenge Preview

SIR ALEX FERGUSON  would have described it as "squeaky bum time" as we approach the climax of the European Tour's Race to Dubai, with the Nedbank Challenge the penultimate tournament in what has been a long and dramatic season.

The Nedbank, played at Sun City, used to be a lucrative invitation-only event for a selected field of 12, who would arrive in town with wives, girlfriends and wheelbarrows in tow. It now forms part of the Final Series and features a field of 72. At the end of the week, we will know who is heading for the Dubai World Championship and who is in contention to win the Race to Dubai and the attendant riches that go with it.

Lee Westwood won in 2010 and 2011, Martin Kaymer in 2012, Thomas Bjorn in 2013, Danny Willett in 2014, and the defending champion is Marc Leishman, of Australia.

By failing to win the WGC Champions in Shanghai and then announcing he would be giving Turkey and South Africa a miss, Rory McIlroy's chances of winning the grand prize all but disappeared. The man in the driving seat is Henrik Stenson, who has enjoyed the season of his life, crowned by his stunning victory at The Open at Royal Troon, in which he beat Phil Mickelson in thrilling fashion.

Hideki Matsuyama won in China but Stenson chased him all the way to the final hole and his excellent finish meant he had finally caught Danny Willett, who has led the Race to Dubai since winning The Masters in April. He has struggled since then, and played some wretched golf in Shanghai.

Martin Kaymer will be looking for a second win at Sun City, having claimed the title way back in 2012, weeks after holing the winning putt at The Ryder Cup in Medinah. The Nedbank Golf Challenge subsequently joined the European Tour schedule in 2014. The German, a double major champion and former world number one, has had a season to forget but the prospect of competing for a $7m prize fund may just get his juices flowing again.

“I am really looking forward to returning to the Nedbank Golf Challenge,” said Kaymer, who could move into the top 10 of the Race to Dubai with a good result in South Africa, and get himself in the running for the $5m bonus pool. "Of course, I have some great memories of this tournament and it’s always nice to go back to an event which you have won in the past.

“This has always been a huge event but I’m sure it will have even more of a big tournament feel next week as part of the Final Series. The course is always in perfect condition and Sun City is such a fun place, it’s always a week the players really enjoy.  I am going there to win and I feel like my game is in good shape now to go and do that.”

Padraig Harrington is also in the field and walking on air after his first European Tour victory in eight years at the Portugal Masters and he is relishing the opportunity to return to Sun City.

“Sun City is always a hugely enjoyable week and I’m really looking forward to going back,” said the Irishman. “Hopefully I can push on and make a charge up the Race to Dubai Rankings. I wasn’t surprised by my victory in Portugal as I felt good things were coming my way.  In my head I was ready to win and to have a winning season is a big positive for me.”

Harrington played tremendous golf in Portugal and finally got his putter working again - if that happens again in South Africa, have no doubts that he can win again. And wouldn't we all love to see the "Harrington stare" once more?

Rafa Cabrera-Bello is surely due a victory and what better way of capping the season of his life than by finally breaking his duck here? He has played consistently well all over Europe and also threatened to win on the PGA Tour. On top of that, he was one of Europe's rare shining lights at the Ryder Cup. The Spaniard has taken his game to a different level this season and would be one of the most popular winners of the season.

Speaking of popular, Andy Sullivan and Andrew "Beef" Johnston will carry huge support at Sun City. They are both thoroughly likeable individuals who play the game with smiles on their faces and Johnston, in particular, has become a cult hero around the globe. His profile will reach the stratosphere if he is remotely successful on the PGA Tour next season after winning his tour card.

To Win:

Rafa Cabrera-Bello. Due a big win

Each Way:

Henrik Stenson. What a year, what a player

Each Way:

Andy Sullivan, Plays the game the right way

Fantasy Picks:

Rafa Cabrera-Bello. Playing wonderful golf

Henrik Stenson. Looking to finish top of the heap

Andy Sullivan. Miles and miles of smiles

Charl Schwartzel. Why doesn't he win more often?

Louis Oosthuizen: Ditto

Padraig Harrington. Back to his best, but can he keep it going?

Thomas Pieters. Big-hitting, big-time player

Branden Grace. Has gone off the boil lately, but class is permanent, and he is class

Joost Luiten. Dutch maestro

Tommy Fleetwood. Looking the part again, and about time too