Preview
Event Info
Starts: 23rd November 2023
Course: Houghton GC, Johannesburg
Par: 71 (36-35)
Length: 7,241 yards
2022 Champion: Dan Bradbury
2023 Joburg Open Tips
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Course Info
Style: Parkland, tree lined.
Designer: A.M. Copland (Nicklaus re-design)
Fairways: Average/Narrow
Rough: Kikuya rough.
Par 5's: 3rd, 5th, 10th.
Hosted Since: 2022
Premium on: Approach play
Weather Forecast
Wind appears to be stronger in the mornings and eases in the afternoon all four days.
Thurs: Sunny. Wind 4-10mph.
Fri: Sunny. Wind 5-11mph.
Sat: Sunny. Wind 4-9mph.
Sun: Sunny. Wind 4-9mph.
Significant Info To Be Aware Of
- This is the first of three co-sanctioned events in South Africa.
- Houghton GC hosted the Alfred Dunhill Championship between 1996 - 2004.
Joburg Open Trends
Winning score
Winning score last year was -21 whilst for the Alfred Dunhill Championships held between 2001 - 2004 at Houghton GC were -21, -20, -15 and -22. We should expect a score around 20-22 under par again.
Incoming form
Daniel Bradbury arrived in decent form last year, finishing 13th and 17th in his two previous starts. The top 5 all made thir previous cut.
The three winners of the Alfred Dunhill Championship between 2001 - 2004 all failed to better 60th position in their previous event.
Joburg Open Stats Analysis
Summary
No stats are available for winner Daniel Bradbury or 3rd place Bezuidenhout but the rest of the top 5 are available.
Driving Distance
28-60-15
SG: Off The Tee
12-26-6
SG: Approach
39-2-11
SG: Tee To Green
29-4-2
SG: Around The Green
50-72-48
SG: Putting
1-13-25
Joburg Open Course Quotes
“This is my first time really playing at altitude. Keegan, the local caddie, he’s been great getting me used to all that but yeah, the ball’s going miles. Both those par fives, I had I think 180 and 188 (yards) in - it just doesn’t make sense.” Dan Bradbury
“The rough is not up this week so I think the scoring will be low, but the greens are pretty slopey so missing on the wrong side of the hole will result in sloppy bogeys. You also need to keep it in play off the tee. The fairways are narrow and tree lined so I feel if you can drive the ball well this week you’ll give yourself lots of chances." Christiaan Bezuidenhout
“There are a couple of tough par fours out here, and the greens are where they’ll tuck the flags and make it tricky. The course is in lovely condition and there isn’t much rough, so it will come down to what you do around the greens and being able to score with the putter.” Richard Sterne
“It’s my first experience of Houghton Golf Club. The golf course looks great and I think everybody will be pretty happy with it this week. You have to shape your shots off the tee pretty well. I’d say your seven iron to wedge game needs to be pretty good around here, and then obviously controlling it on the greens and making a few putts. It’s kind of the same story every week, but I feel this week in particular is going to place greater emphasis on shaping it off the tee and having good control around the greens.” George Coetzee
“I’d love to add a second DP World Tour title this year. On this golf course, you’ll have to hit the ball well off the tee and then putt well.” Shaun Norris
Joburg Open In Play Tips
Tough Holes
The 2nd, 4th and 15th holes played toughest last year.
Birdie Holes
The three par 5s were the easiest holes in 2022 but the 1st hole also played well under par (0.2 shots under par) for the week.
Fast or Slow Start
2022: Daniel Bradbury was one ahead after round one and won wire to wire.
2004: Marcel Siem was joint leader after round one.
2003: Mark Foster was 35th after round one, a full five shots behind the leader.
2002: Justin Rose as 52nd, five shots behind the round one leader.
2001: Adam Scott was 11th after round one, also five shots behind the round one leader.
2000: Anthony Wall was 4th after round one, 1 shot off the early pacesetters.
2023 Joburg Open Tips
You can sign up for all our Joburg Open picks and DP World Tour tips for 2024 by clicking the button below.
