Nedbank Challenge: South African world number three Ernie Els signalled his intent to grab an unprecedented fourth Nedbank Challenge title this weekend with a scorching 65 in yesterday's pro-am.
It was a clear sign to both fans and competitors that Els is at home on the Gary Player Country Club course in Sun City.
And with a winner's cheque of more than €1 million it is easy to understand Els' motivation.
So great is Els' dominance of the tournament that organisers have changed things around just to make it a bit more even.
The field has been increased from 12 to 18 and the gulf between first and second prize has been drastically reduced.
The course has also been toughened up with rough of up to 10 inches awaiting any wayward player this week, a move applauded by Els.
"The guys will need to hit in the fairway," he said. "If you stray, then it is a penalty, that's for certain.
"The guys who have played the course before know which lines to take and what to hit off which tees, so they will be favoured.
"We have a very good field this week, most of these guys have won tournaments and have played in the Presidents Cup.
"But you don't play against them, you play against the golf course and against yourself, and if you can do what you should do, then you will be okay," added Els.
American Charles Howell and Australian Robert Allenby were the nearest competitors to Els two shots back.
No fewer than 15 of the 24 players from the Presidents Cup last week will play, but there is still no Tiger Woods, who has other commitments.
Fiji's Vijay Singh, the world number two, will provide the biggest challenge and is the bookmakers' favourite, while African players Retief Goosen, Nick Price and Tim Clark are all outside bets in their own backyard.
Other contenders for the tournament include Americans Kenny Perry and Jerry Kelly - both of whom have had superb years on the tour - while the European contingent of Ireland's Padraig Harrington and Darren Clarke, and Spain's Sergio Garcia will all contest the huge first prize.
