SDC Championship 2024: Field, betting odds, and tee times for the co-sanctioned DP World Tour and Sunshine Tour Event

SDC Championship 2024 Preview

The DP World Tour continues its International Swing as it returns to South Africa for the co-sanctioned SDC Championship, by the Sunshine Tour at St Francis Links

The SDC Championship is the penultimate event of the International Swing before we see the DP World Tour head off to Singapore to start the Asian Swing. This will be the third swing of the new DP World Tour structure, which will see lots of events enjoy their largest purses to date.

Last year the Sunshine Tour announced, that the SDC Championship would be formed as part of the expansion with DP World Tour and Sunshine Tour co-sanctioned events during the season. Taking place at one of South Africa’s most iconic courses, St. Francis Links in the Eastern Cape. The SDC Championship joins the list of Sunshine Tour events that have been hosted at the wonderful course, with a bunch of talented young South African golfers given the chance to shine on the world stage.

In the inaugural event last year, the Englishman Matthew Baldwin cruised to a seven-shot victory over Spain’s Adri Arnaus. The 37-year-old carded a four-under 68 in the final round to finish well clear of the Spaniard and capped a remarkable comeback for Baldwin, who lost his tour card in 2016 after a succession of injuries.

“It’s been a tough few years, so obviously to get the win means absolutely everything,” he said. “I can’t process it right now, but it just means the world to me.”

Who is playing in the SDC Championship?

Second in the Race to Dubai and Commercial Bank Qatar Masters champion, Rikuya Hoshino is teeing it up this week. As well as high-flying Dylan Frittelli who won the Bahrain Championship just three weeks ago. Last year’s champion Matthew Baldwin, is in the field this week to defend his title in the Eastern Cape.

It might not be the most star-studded field playing in this year’s SDC Championship, with many either taking a week off or playing in the Cognizant Classic on the PGA Tour. However, that doesn’t mean there isn’t a competitive field all looking to finish the week in top spot. Take a look at the full list of players teeing it up in the SDC Championship and how they qualified here.

What is the format of the SDC Championship?

It is a standard strokeplay event played over 72 holes with a cut after 36 holes (two rounds) that sees the leading 70 players and ties make the final two rounds. The player who achieves the lowest score over four rounds will win the tournament.

Where is the SDC Championship being played?

The SDC Championship will be played at – St Francis Links GC. For the second year in a row, the SDC Championship is going to be hosted at St. Francis Links, Eastern Cape, South Africa. The 7192-yard, par 72 golf course was designed by the Golden Bear himself Jack Nicklaus.

Who will win the SDC Championship?

Despite the field lacking the star-studded names of many events on the DPWT calendar, the SDC Championship is still likely to be contended to the very last hole on Sunday. Last week’s winner at the Magical Kenya Open, Darius Van Driel, will not be teeing the ball up. However, two of the highest-ranked golfers in the field this week Rikuya Hoshino and Dylan Frittelli are a bookmaker’s shoo-in to take home the title this week, having both won already in 2024.

One to keep an eye on is certainly the Scotsman, Ewen Ferguson, he finished third here last year and is following on from some decent finishes already in 2024 with a top-10 finish in his last two outings on tour. Although he has had a rough time in the last few events, Thirston Lawrence finished in a tie for second place at the Dubai Invitational earlier this year. The South African is a four-time DP World Tour winner and has proven he can get it over the line, especially as two of them wins have already come on home soil.

If you are looking for an outsider this week who may come through the field, Englishman Andy Sullivan has proven he can win before and has been consistent in the DPWT this season, all be it not the best start to 2024 but after some solid scoring his week could come very soon. One more outsider to watch is TG’s very own Andrew ‘Beef’ Johnston, as he makes a return from injury and will be hoping to hit the ground running in his return this week.

How much does the winner of the SDC Championship receive?

The winner of the SDC Championship will earn $255,000 from a total purse of $1,500,000. The runner-up will receive $165,000 as his share, with the rest of the field fighting it out for the remainder of the prize pot.

How to watch the SDC Championship

Sky Sports and Golf Channel aren’t airing live coverage of the DP World Tour this week, but local channel SuperSport will have an 18-hole live broadcast over all 4 days in over 54 countries.

The SDC Championship Tee Times

Tee time information for the SDC Championship can be viewed here.

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About the Author

Will Shreeve-Peacock – Golf Equipment Writer

Will is an expert in golf shoes, GPS watches, rangefinders, and training aids.

He has a degree in journalism from Sheffield Hallam University and four years’ experience working in golf retail with American Golf where he was trained by a host of the big-name manufacturers.

A six-handicapper, Will has played golf for more than a decade and is a member at Burghley Park Golf Club in Stamford, Lincolnshire.