Event of the Day: BMW SA Open Day 1

Our event of the day is the first day of the BMW SA Open golf tournament at the Glendower Golf Club in Edenvale, South Africa. This is the 107th edition of the largest South African golfing event and the second oldest golf championship in the world, sanctioned by both, the Sunshine Tour and the European Tour. The player host and home favourite, Ernie Els, winner of four Majors, is looking to add to his tally of five victories at the event. The Big Easy last triumphed in December 2010 (season 2011) and if he claims the trophy on Sunday, he will become the fourth most successful player in the tournament history – Gary Player has 13, Bobby Locke nine and Sid Brews eight titles. Els leads a number of South African players determined to clinch the title after four of the previous five editions have been won by foreign players.

The most respectable names among these challengers are Retief Goosen, double US Open champion and twice a winner of his national Open; Brandon Stone, the winner in 2016; Masters champions Charl Schwartzel and Trevor Immelman; as well as the European Tour winners Branden Grace, Darren Fichardt and Dylan Frittelli. There’s another former Masters champion in Canadian Mike Weir. Englishman Graeme Storm defends the trophy won last year in the most thrilling fashion, by beating a four-time Major champion and favourite Rory McIlroy, on the third extra hole in the play-off. A great four days lie ahead at the Glendover Golf Club.

 

Honourable mentions around the globe go to the NBA duel between the Toronto Raptors and the Cleveland Cavaliers at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto. Both sides will hope to bounce back from defeats in their last games, Toronto lost 90-89 on the buzzer at home to the Miami Heat on Tuesday, whilst Cleveland were defeated 127-99 away to the Minnesota Timberwolves on Monday. In another NBA clash, the Philadelphia 76ers take on the Boston Celtics at the O2 Arena in a London NBA game. In the Big Bash League, the Sydney Thunder host the Perth Scorchers at the Spotless Stadium in Sydney. It’s Day 5 of the Sydney International at the Sydney Olympic Park Tennis Centre in Sydney; and Day 4 of the ATP Auckland Open at the ASB Tennis Centre in Auckland. In the NHL, the Washington Capitals face off with the Carolina Hurricanes at the Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C., while the Calgary Flames go up against the Tampa Bay Lightning at the Amalie Arena in Tampa. In the Spanish Copa del Rey quarter final second leg, Barcelona host Celta Vigo at the Camp Nou in Barcelona.

 

Whatever you’re watching, enjoy!

 

Fixture

 

Photos by Glendower Golf Club