The 24-year-old, who plays out of the iconic Fancourt in George, has been drafted into the all-South African Southern Guards team as a replacement for the injured Louis Oosthuizen. Oosthuizen, who is sidelined with the back injury he sustained in Andalucía, shares more than just a place on the team with Vorster. 

Both golfers hail from Mossel Bay, just a short drive from George, making the call-up even more special for the young professional. 

Martin Vorster. Photo: Southern Guards

Although it will be Vorster’s first appearance on the LIV Golf circuit, he is no stranger to his teammates. He already knows Dean Burmester, Branden Grace and Charl Schwartzel well, with Burmester also now based at Fancourt after previously playing out of Bloemfontein. 

Schwartzel will captain the team in the absence of this great friend, Oosthuizen. Having arrived in England earlier this week, Vorster said he immediately felt at home with the Southern Guards.

“The welcome has been incredible. The Southern Guards guys are incredible, the whole team here is amazing.

“They’ve really made me feel at home and welcomed me to the team, so I’m really excited for the week.” 

After completing his first practice rounds at the JCB Golf & Country Club, Vorster believes his game is in good shape ahead of his debut. “We had a good practice session yesterday and got to see the whole course this morning. 

“The form’s feeling good. I hit it nicely today. The greens are a little bit quicker than I’m used to, so I just need to get used to that, but I’m very excited.”

The LIV Golf South Africa champion, Bryson DeChambeau. Photo: Getty

One unforgettable moment had already arrived before the tournament had even started. While practising on the range, Vorster suddenly found himself face-to-face with two-time major champion Bryson DeChambeau, one of the game’s biggest stars.

“I turned around on the range and saw Bryson DeChambeau watching me hit shots. He introduced himself and said, ‘It seems like you can hit it far.’ I told him, ‘I don’t think as far as you,’ and he kind of laughed.

“It was a surreal moment for me. I’ve never had something like that happen. He’s such a friendly guy.”

Charl Schwartzel will captain the Southern Guards. Photo: LIV Golf

For Vorster, wearing the Southern Guards colours is about more than just making his LIV Golf debut.

“It’s such an honour to be part of this team for the Southern Guards, but also to be part of a South African team. We’re going to try our best and win this thing for South Africa, and represent the green and gold as best as we can.”

The opening round of LIV Golf United Kingdom at the JCB Golf & Country Club tees off at 14:15, with all eyes on one of South Africa’s brightest young golfing talents as he embarks on the biggest week of his professional career.

OFM Sport/Morgan Piek mvh