Burmester stalking a hat-trick at Leopard Creek

Burmester has dominated the last two co-sanctioned tournaments with his victories in the Joburg Open and the Investec South African Open and is a clear favourite for the Alfred Dunhill Championship, which tees off at South Africa’s top-ranked golf course on Thursday.

The fact that he has the opportunity to make it three wins in a row at possibly his favourite golf course and tournament venue this week makes the challenge even more special.

“I’m very happy and blessed to be able to come to a place like this and enjoy it and do what I love,” said Burmester.

“The only way you’ll ever understand what Leopard Creek is, is by getting the opportunity to come here personally. We get to play golf on a perfectly manicured golf course and then every time I get to the 13th green here I almost always shed a tear,” he said of the iconic green that overlooks the Kruger National Park.

Burmester’s quest to claim one of the most sought after titles on the Sunshine Tour and DP World Tour will face a stern test against a field including defending champion Ockie Strydom, double PGA Tour champion Erik van Rooyen, Major winners Louis Oosthuizen and Charl Schwartzel, former Alfred Dunhill Championship winners Christiaan Bezuidenhout, Branden Grace and Brandon Stone, and four-time DP World Tour champion Thriston Lawrence.

Schwartzel’s record in this championship is unsurpassed and he returns as the winner of a record four Alfred Dunhill Championship titles as well as having finishing second on four occasions. He also holds the tournament total record of 24-under-par 264 and the biggest margin of victory in the history of this tournament of 12 strokes achieved in the same year of 2012.