South Africa's professional golfers have started 2008 where they left off in 2007 - making a big impact on the world's major tours.
In Hawaii on Sunday, Rory Sabbatini earned just under $600 000 - which equates to just over R4-million - for finishing second behind KJ Choi in the US PGA Tour's Sony Open.
"Sabbo" had 19 birdies and an eagle during the course of the four rounds for an 11-under-par aggregate of 269, three adrift of Choi.
The big-hitting KZN golfer now bursts back into the top 10 in the world rankings - at No 10 - replacing none other than the golfing luminary that is Vijay Singh.
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And at Royal Johannesburg & Kensington on Sunday, Richard Sterne's playoff win over fellow South African Garth Mulroy and Magnus Carlsson of Sweden in the European Tour's Joburg Open sees him move up from 44th in the world rankings to a career high 33.
South Africa now have six players in the top 35 in the world - Ernie Els (5), Sabbatini (10), Trevor Immelman (19), Retief Goosen (27), Tim Clark (31) and Sterne (33). This is more than any other nation except the United States.
Sterne's victory, which was worth R1,75m to him, places the Pretoria CC golfer fourth on the 2008 European Tour Order of Merit with e234134.
Meanwhile, International Open Qualifying for the 2008 British Open at Royal Birkdale in July takes place at Royal Johannesburg & Kensington today and tomorrow.
Sixty players - including Mark Murless, who led the Joburg Open through 54 holes, and rising black star James Kamte - are battling it out for the four coveted spots up for grabs in the Open.
- This article was originally published on page 24 of The Star on January 15, 2008
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