Branden Grace poses with the trophy
Branden Grace won the SA Open earlier this year and could feature in Joburg

European Tour adds Joburg Open to 2020 schedule


The European Tour will return to Johannesburg next month for the first time in almost three years.

The Joburg Open will be played at the Randpark Golf Club from November 19 to 22, as the first of a series of tournaments co-sanctioned by the European Tour and the Sunshine Tour.

Details of other events are yet to be confirmed, but it is expected that at least two more will be added to the schedule - including a trip to Leopard Creek.

The Joburg Open was last contested in December 2017, when it was won by India’s Shubhankar Sharma, though recent renewals of the SA Open have taken place in Johannesburg and followed a similar template.

European Tour chief executive Keith Pelley said: “I am delighted to see the Joburg Open back on our schedule this year.

“We have a wonderful relationship with the Sunshine Tour stretching back over many years and this co-sanctioned tournament is another example of that.”

Reports on Tuesday also suggested an extra event may be added in Dubai, one week prior to the season-ending DP World Tour Championship. Sources say it will take place at a different course at the same resort and sit opposite an event in South Africa, providing greater opportunities for European Tour members.