South African Airways Open

The South African Open is one of main tournaments on the Sunshine Tour. Since 1999, it has also become a part of the European Tour . South Africa hosts two golf tournaments on the European Tour , the other being the Dunhill Championship . The tournament was first played in 1903 and was played over 36 holes. Since 1908, the tournament has been played over 72 holes. Due to the change in sponsors, its name has been changed a number of times. Since 2003 it si known as the South African Airways Open .

• Philips South African Open (1903-96)
• South African Open (1997-98)
• Mercedes-Benz - Vodacom South African Open (1999)
• Mercedes-Benz - S.A. Open Championship (2000)
• Mercedes-Benz South African Open (2001)
• Bell's South African Open (2002)
• South African Airways Open (2003- )

The 2006 South African Airways Open was held in December, 2005 and was won by South African Retief Goosen. He beat fellow countryman Ernie Els by one stroke only and won € 1,58,479.

Past Winners

A host of golfing legends as well as top players around the world have won the South African Open . Here is a list of players who have won here since it became part of the European Tour .

• Retief Goosen 2005; 1995
• Tim Clark 2005; 2002
• Trevor Immelman 2004-03
• Mark McNulty 2001
• Mathias Gronberg 2000
• David Frost 1999
• Ernie Els 1998; 1996
• Vijay Singh 1997

The South African Airways Open is a very old tournament whose roots go back to the 1900's. As we continue on this tour we will learn about the other tournaments in the European Tour .