South African Open preview - Els and Goosen do battle once more Visit PinnacleSports Save For Later Posted by Bettingpro Staff 22 Nov 2011 Tweet Ernie Els in action at the Presidents Cup (credit: David Cannon/Getty Images) Related Articles See all European Tour news Share it Pin It The European Tour heads to South Africa this week for the South African Open Championship at the Serengeti Golf and Wildlife Estate, Ekurhuleni.This will be the first time the tournament has taken place at the testing Masai Mara course, which was designed by Jack Nicklaus and opened in 2009.Ernie Els will defend the title he won last year in a tantalising finale. Els edged out his fellow countrymen Retief Goosen by a single shot as the four-top ranked South African players claimed the top four positions. Louis Oosthuizen and Charl Schwartzel finished third and fourth respectively.This year the country's highest ranked players, Major winners Louis Oosthuizen and Charl Schwartzel, represent South Africa in the Omega Mission Hills World Cup in China.Therefore this gives a number of other native players including Thomas Aitken and Garth Mulroy a chance for victory. Mulroy won the Alfred Dunhill Championship on Sunday, becoming the 100th South African winner in European Tour history.Els and Goosen have been embroiled in a number of titanic duels at the South African Open Championship in the past, with Goosen winning twice (1995, 2006) and Els claiming the trophy on three occasions (1998, 2006, 2010). Goosen held off Els for both his victories, in 1995 and 2006, birdieing the last two holes – including a chip-in on the 17th – to win the latter, while Els triumphed last year despite a stirring comeback from Goosen.Goosen has struggled for form this year; however the prospect of another duel with Els will surely bring the best out of his game.Englishman Simon Dyson has already won twice this season and is gunning to become the first English champion since 1970. Dyson has been in good form for 2011 and he played well recently at the HSBC Champions.Elsewhere, George Coetzee is in fantastic form on the European Tour, after recording three top-10 finishes in his last four starts. A third-placed finish last week at Leopard Creek will give him plenty of confidence heading into the South African Open Championship. Read our PinnacleSports review Join professional sports bettors at PinnacleSports now. Like Like Post to wall 266 Reads All Golf News Recent Golf Articles BMW PGA Championship scores - Luke Donald 5/2 as James Morrison leads by 425 May 2012James Morrison leads the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth by four shots after two rounds – but is BMW PGA Championship scores - See the story of the 1st round in pictures24 May 2012Luke Donald is the 6/1 favourite for the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth after opening with a fou BMW PGA Championship Betting Latest23 May 2012William Hill have trimmed the price of Padraig Harrington winning the BMW PGA Championship followin BMW PGA Championship Tips – Rose may finally bloom at Wentworth23 May 2012Justin Rose will be looking to finally end his wait for Wentworth glory when he tees off at the BMW BMW PGA Championship Tips23 May 2012The 2012 European Tour heads to Wentworth this week for flagship tournament, the BMW PGA Championsh BMW PGA Championship Tips Preview23 May 2012A world class line-up will compete for the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth this week. More Stories Recent Articles Coop Beach Tour - Live streaming matches on bet36526 May 2012The second leg of the Coop Beach Tour starts in Lucerne today. Smart Beach Tour - Live streaming matches on bet36526 May 2012The Smart Beach Tour kicks off today in Germany CEV Beach Volleyball Satellite Baden - Live streaming matches on bet36526 May 2012Catch the action in the CEV Beach Volleyball Satellite Baden. CEV European Championship Baden Masters Beach Volleyball - Live streaming matches on bet36526 May 2012The CEV European Championshp Baden Masters continue in the Austrian city of Baden today. FIVB Patria Direct Prague Open Beach Volleyball - Live streaming semifinal matches on bet36526 May 2012The FIVB Patria Direct Prague Open continues today. Women's Olympic Handball Qualifiying Tournament - Watch live streaming matches on bet36526 May 2012Day 2 of the Women's Olympic Handball Qualifying Tournament continues in Lyon, Guadalajara and Aalb More Stories Tags European Tour News, Golf Bet, Golf Tips, South African Open Betting, South African Open Preview
