{"id":137901,"date":"2016-10-05T08:00:00","date_gmt":"2016-10-05T06:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/germistoncitynews.co.za\/137901\/mcllroy-to-play-in-sa-open\/"},"modified":"2016-11-10T13:08:31","modified_gmt":"2016-11-10T11:08:31","slug":"mcllroy-to-play-in-sa-open","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/develop.citizen.co.za\/germiston-city-news\/sports-news\/2016\/10\/05\/mcllroy-to-play-in-sa-open\/","title":{"rendered":"Rory Mcilroy to play in SA Open"},"content":{"rendered":"

On September 29 it was announced that Rory Mcilroy<\/i><\/b><\/a> will be taking part in the BMW South African Open Golf Tournament<\/a> at the Glendower Golf Club.<\/p>\n

The announcement, which was made at the Glendower Golf Course, also gave the dates for the tournament.<\/p>

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“We are honoured to once again be the host city of the prestigious BMW SA Open Championship<\/a> and look forward to welcoming Rory Mcilroy<\/i><\/b><\/a>, defending champion Brandon Stone and some of the best young international on local golfers,” said Ekurhuleni’s executive mayor Clr Mzandile Massina, who spoke on behalf of the City of Ekurhuleni.<\/p>\n

President of the Glendower Golf Club, Mr Yani Joannides said he is happy to have the SA Open at the golf course.<\/p>

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“Our members are quite excited that the tournament will be held here. They are happy to have international players coming to play, ” said Mr Joannides<\/p>\n

“We are delighted that Rory will play in the SA Open, his presence adds even more value to the tournament for our hosts, the City of Ekurhuleni<\/a> and title sponsor BMW South Africa,” said Sunshine Tour executive director Mr Selwyn Nathan.<\/p>\n

In 2014 Mcillroy made a promise to Ernie Els at the Irish Open that he would take part in a South African Open<\/a>.<\/p>\n

“I am glad that he made the commitment so soon,” said Els.<\/p>\n

Els said Rory’s presence will help the growth of the SA Open.<\/p>\n

“I cannot wait to come back and play in South Africa. It has been a while since I was last there,” said Mcllroy.<\/p>\n

Mr Tim Abbot of BMW SA<\/a> said that BMW has been involved with the sport for 30 years.<\/p>\n

“As BMW we have a vision to help grow this tournament into the biggest and most aspirational tournament on the continent,” said Mr Abbot, the CEO of BMW SA and Sub-Saharan Africa.<\/p>\n

Mcllroy is currently ranked number three on the official World Golf Ranking<\/a>.<\/p>\n

At the tournament he will be competing alongside a number of European and Sunshine Tour professionals.<\/p>\n

Mcllroy will face off against defending champion Brandon Stone as well as Retief Goosen, who has won both the US Opens and SA Open on two occasions each.<\/p>\n

The tournament will be held between January 12 to 15 at the Glendower Golf Course<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Watch: Rory Mcllroy to play in the BMW SA Open Championship<\/p>\n

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