The 10th Joburg Open, which like last week’s SA Open at Glendower, is also a European Tour co-sanctioned event and will see the winner qualifying for the 145th Open Championship later this year at Royal Troon in Scotland.

All eyes will be on the 22-year-old Brandon Stone who won last week’s SA Open by two strokes for his maiden European Tour title.

Defending champion, Andy Sullivan, will unfortunately not be playing this week as he goes searching for valuable Ryder Cup points with Team Europe in the Eurasia Cup in Malaysia.

Former Open champion, Paul Lawrie, certainly believes this will inspire the young stars in the field this week.

“It’s great when you see the Claret Jug on the first tee, it’s just so famous and easily recognisable.

“Every year when we start off, I don’t even know half the field, to be fair. It’s amazing, I’ve been out here for a long time – it’s my 25th year and every week there seems to be another lad who hits it a long way, good short game, good player, good attitude.

“Last week there were two South Africans who finished first and second and they are young lads. It’s good to see.

The Joburg Open tees off on Thursday at Royal Johannesburg and Kensington Golf Club and runs until Sunday 17 January.

Morgan Piek/OFM Sport

Photo: Claret Jug - Warren Little