The Durban Country Club hosted the launch of the Investec South African Open Golf Championship, marking the return of the prestigious tournament to the historic venue from 27 February to 2 March 2025. The event will be held at the newly renovated Durban Country Club, which has undergone significant upgrades and the redesign of several holes to present a strengthened course for the championship.
Errol Stewart, chairman of Durban Country Club, expressed pride in hosting the event for a record 18th time. “We are extremely proud to host the Investec South African Open Championship and to showcase the major upgrades to the golf course. We are privileged to have the Investec South African Open back on these fairways for what we are sure will be a challenging and memorable test of golf,” Stewart said.
The tournament, sponsored by Jonnson Workwear and supported by partners such as Hyundai, The Courier Guy, CIRCA, Airlink, and Provantage, returns to Durban for the first time since 2019, when Ernie Els won his fifth national Open title.
Peta Dixon, head of sponsorships at Investec, highlighted the importance of supporting local talent and the symbolic value of the tournament. “Investec believes in the power of homegrown talent and proudly sponsors both the men’s and women’s Investec South African Opens as powerful symbols of national pride. The Investec South African Open is core to the foundation of South African golf, and we are incredibly excited to see the championship return to the iconic Durban Country Club. We look forward to celebrating what will most certainly be a fantastic 114th edition of this prestigious championship,” Dixon said.
Dixon noted the positive impact the championship’s return will have on the KwaZulu-Natal region. “The tournament’s return has received enthusiastic support from the local community, as it will support the region’s economy, showcase the province’s unique appeal, and drive growth for KZN by generating business and commerce opportunities,” she added.
Defending champion, Dean Burmester confirmed his participation in the 2025 tournament, aiming to retain his title. Burmester, who claimed an emotional three-stroke victory last season, spoke of the significance of the event. “For us as South Africans, it’s our fifth major, and we all want to win it so badly. Winning this championship, sponsored by Investec, who gave me my first break as a young professional, is very special. This is a tournament I grew up watching, and to see my name alongside legends like Ernie Els, Retief Goosen, and Louis Oosthuizen is incredible,” Burmester shared.
Thomas Abt, commissioner of the Sunshine Tour, echoed Burmester’s sentiments, emphasising the championship’s rich history and Investec’s vital role in supporting South African golf. “The Investec South African Open has a proud legacy, and Investec’s passion for this championship and our game as a whole is evident in their immense support for the Sunshine Tour and our transformation programmes. We look forward to a true showcase of the Investec South African Open in partnership with the DP World Tour,” Abt said.
Lawrence, the 2022 champion, also confirmed his participation, joining a strong field of Sunshine Tour and DP World Tour stars competing for the $1.5-million prize money in the 114th Investec South African Open Championship.
Ben Cowen, DP World Tour’s chief tournament and operations officer, expressed pride in co-sanctioning one of the world’s oldest national opens for the 28th time. “The return to the iconic Durban Country Club coincides with a change in date, as this historic tournament becomes part of the International Swing on the 2025 Race to Dubai. We are grateful to Investec and the Sunshine Tour for their support and look forward to working alongside them in the coming months,” Cowen added.
SA Golf Development board member, Joseph Kenene, expressed his excitement about participating in the championship. “I’m happy that KZN was finally remembered after such a long time. The development team is also very excited to be part of this championship,” Kenene said.
Nick Jonnson, CEO of Jonnson Workwear, reflected on the journey leading to the launch. “It’s the culmination of a dream to be at the launch. A lot of work has been done at Durban Country Club over the past few years. Durban is one of the greatest cities in the world and an incredible place to live. Bringing this tournament back here is a privilege. It’s truly amazing,” Jonnson remarked.
