All players need to know as the DP World Tour Fantasy game heads to South Africa for the 2026 Nedbank Golf Challenge in honour of Gary Player.
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The DP World Tour makes its first visit of the season to South Africa at the Gary Player Country Club at Sun City.
Last season Johannes Veerman claimed a memorable second DP World Tour title, coming from five shots behind to claim a one stroke victory to add his name to the roll of honour at ‘Africa’s Major’.
He returns alongisde a host of DP World Tour winners and home favourites, which include Thriston Lawrence, Jayden Schaper and Christiaan Bezuidenhout, while rising star Yurav Premlall will look to thrill the local fans.
World Number 13 Viktor Hovland headlines the international contingent, making his first appearance at Sun City, while Race to Dubai runner‑up Marco Penge also continues his global campaign as a dual member after hitting the first tee shot of the new season in Australia last week.
Who are the most picked players?
Ryder Cup star Hovland is our most chosen player this week, featuring in 67% of teams.
Next is home favourite Lawrence, who is in 57% of teams, with English duo Penge (36%) and Laurie Canter (26%) behind him.
The top five is then rounded out by South Africa's Bezuidenhout, who features in 23% of teams ahead of the week.
Who are our ones to watch?
Favourite – Viktor Hovland
The European Ryder Cup star is set to make his debut on South African soil this week and finds himself as the headline act on the list of favourites with bookmakers. The World Number 13 finished inside the top five at the BMW PGA Championship before a neck injury caused him to pull out of his Ryder Cup singles match at Bethpage. He returned to action at the DP World India Championship, tying for sixth after opting to not use his driver. This will be his first start since mid‑October, meaning he should be fully recovered and well prepared. Already a proven winner on the DP World Tour, with titles including the BMW International Open and consistent Rolex Series performances, Hovland arrives with the aim of becoming the third player in a row to win this title on their debut.
Form Horse – Angel Ayora
After sitting out the opening week of the new season, the Spaniard arrives in South Africa riding a wave of confidence. He capped off his 2025 rookie campaign on the DP World Tour with five top‑ten finishes in his final six starts, and ten in total across the season after graduating from the HotelPlanner Tour in 2024.Those results came at some of the Tour’s most iconic venues, including Leopard Creek, Crans‑sur‑Sierre, The K Club, the trio of Carnoustie, St Andrews and Kingsbarns, Yas Links in Abu Dhabi and Jumeirah Golf Estates in Dubai. The geographical breadth of success underlines his ability to contend in different conditions and on varied courses. With two weeks’ rest behind him, Ayora will be hoping to convert that consistency into a maiden DP World Tour victory as he begins his second season.
Wild Card - Yurav Premlall
The South African will make a dream debut at the Nedbank Golf Challenge following a personal invitation from Gary Player. The 22‑year‑old has already enjoyed success at the Gary Player Country Club, lifting the Freddie Tait Cup as leading amateur at the 2021 South African Open and winning the Nedbank Junior Challenge that same year. Now a rising professional, Premlall claimed his maiden Sunshine Tour victory in 2024 and returns to Sun City looking to make an impression at ‘Africa’s Major’.
What can I win?
Sign up and now be in with a chance of winning some great rewards!
The Ultimate Prize
Finish the 2026 Race to Dubai with the highest total Fantasy score and you’ll take home an incredible top-tier prize package:
1st
• Two Ticket+ tickets to one DP World Tour event in 2027, valid for each day of competition. Both tickets must be used at the same tournament, chosen from the following: British Masters, BMW PGA Championship, Genesis Scottish Open, Irish Open, or Open de France.
• £500 flight voucher, redeemable in line with the issuing airline/provider’s terms and conditions.
• £500 accommodation voucher, redeemable with the respective accommodation provider’s terms and conditions.
2nd
• £300 DP World Tour Store voucher (subject to applicable terms and conditions).
• Two General Admission tickets (valid for each competition day) to one 2027 DP World Tour event of the winner’s choice from: British Masters, BMW PGA Championship, Genesis Scottish Open, Irish Open, or Open de France.
3rd
• £150 DP World Tour Store voucher (subject to applicable terms and conditions).
• Two General Admission tickets (valid for each competition day) to one 2027 DP World Tour event of the winner’s choice from: British Masters, BMW PGA Championship, Genesis Scottish Open, Horizon Irish Open, or Open de France.
This year also introduces two brand-new Boosters: Triple Captain and Bench Boost, giving you even more ways to outscore the competition and climb the global leaderboard.
Alongside the season-long chase for the Ultimate Prize, players will also be able to win rewards throughout the year with prizes available for each Global Swing and Phase of the Race to Dubai.
