Fuente: © Southern Africa Tour
http://www.sunshinetour.com/

GOLF: SOUTHERN AFRICA TOUR: Clark withdraws from SAA Open

/noticias.info/ South Africa’s Big Four was reduced to Retief Goosen, Ernie Els and Trevor Immelman after the anticipated withdrawal of two-time champion, Tim Clark, ahead of the 2007 South African Airways Open Championship at Humewood.

After sustaining a minor injury to his neck during the pro-am round of the Nelson Mandela Invitational, Clark received physiotherapy and is following doctor’s orders to rest until the New Year.

“I am very disappointed in having to withdraw from our National Open. I hope everyone understands that this was a very difficult decision to make,” said Clark, the winner at Durban Country Club in 2002 and 2005.

“I was very excited to hear that we were going to Humewood for this year’s Open, not only because I love playing down at the coast, but to play one of the best Links courses in South Africa.

“I even gave myself a good chance at a third victory, because I won the 1993 South African Junior Championship at Humewood,” he added. “Who knows, I could have celebrated my 31st birthday on Sunday with another title.

Speaking from his parent’s home in Umkomaas, Kwazulu Natal, Clark added that, in spite of his withdrawal, he was still coming to Nelson Mandela Bay in support of the SAA Open.

“It’s never easy to make a decision to withdraw, especially not when you have so few opportunities to compete at home,” said Clark.

“That is why I am coming to Humewood on Friday. I want to show my support to the players and to South African Airways, who has done so much to elevate the status of the SA Open to a world class event.”

In addition to Goosen, Els and Immelman, who headline the stellar field, European Ryder Cup player, Lee Westwood and world number 25, Argentina’s Angel Cabrera will also tee it up on Thursday, 14 December in the €1-million tournament, co-sanctioned by the Sunshine and European Tours.

Two-time Sunshine Tour Order of Merit winner, Charl Schwartzel, will have a chance to add the National Open title to his tally after narrowly losing to Spain’s Alvaro Quiros at the Alfred Dunhill Championship on Sunday.

But Clark’s withdrawal also opens the way for another qualifier to face a baptism of fire at the par-72 Humewood Links layout. A total of 188 qualifiers will tee it up – 96 at Walmer Country Club and 92 at Port Elizabeth Golf Club – to fight for the 11 spots on offer into the main event. notas_de_prensa_archivo