The two former champions, Ernie Els and Louis Oosthuizen, will lead the South African charge, while Thriston Lawrence, is arguably the hottest player at the moment going into the major.

The four-time major winner, Els, won the Open in 2002 and 2012, while Oosthuizen claimed the honours in 2010. Oosthuizen has also been the runner-up at the Masters (2012), twice at the PGA Championship (2017, 2021) and twice at the US Open (2015, 2021).

At 78th in the world, Lawrence is currently South Africa’s top-ranked golfer, while at 87th, Christiaan Bezuidenhout, is ranked second.

Kyle Barker, Ockie Strydom, Martin Rohwer and the amateur Christo Lamprecht, will be playing in the Open for the first time.

In addition, Oosthuizen's Stingers teammates on the LIV Golf tour, Charl Schwartzel and Branden Grace, will also be in action. Schwartzel himseld is a major champion after winning the 2011 Masters at Augusta, while Grace has finished in the top 10 of a major on three occasions.

The Open Championship tees off of Thursday.

Morgan Piek OFM Sport