European tour news: Justin Rose is hoping some home comforts will help him to victory in the South African Airways Open, the final tournament on the European Tour's pre-Christmas schedule, which starts today.
Rose, who was born in Johannesburg, has spent the last two weeks at his grandmother's home on the Fancourt Estate preparing to chase the €160,000 first prize.
"I come out to play the Fancourt courses every Christmas, and also to spend time with the family," explained Rose, who won his first European Tour title in Johannesburg in 2002.
"I've got some good practice in this year already. I think this will be an advantage because I'm super-relaxed."
Rose (25), finished 55th on the US Tour money list last season and twice came close to claiming a maiden title on American soil.
"The second half of the year was good," added Rose, who shot to fame as a 17-year-old amateur by finishing fourth in the British Open at Royal Birkdale in 1998.
"I nearly came close to winning twice and in both instances I was beaten by guys who happened to have incredible final rounds."
The first of those was the Buick Championship, where Rose missed out on a play-off by one shot after Brad Faxon carded a closing 61 and South African Tjaart van der Walt a 64.
The second instance was the Funai Classic in Disneyland, where American Lucas Glover edged out Rose with birdies on the last two holes.
Rose has rejoined the European Tour after previously resigning his membership, and added: "If I win this week I might play much more of my golf in Europe. But nothing is for certain yet."
Last year's winner, South African Tim Clark, will defend his title, but he faces stiff competition from compatriots Retief Goosen and Ernie Els.
Els won the Dunhill Championship on Sunday in just his second event back following knee surgery.
The double US Open champion carded a final round 68 at Leopard Creek to benefit from leader Ulrich van den Berg's collapse on the back nine.
Goosen is expecting a tough test at a venue where only the winner of the last two Sunshine Tour events played there has finished under par.
"It's a tough layout," the world number four said. "You have to be driving well to play well on it, and that's one area of my game where I've been struggling lately.
"I read about the Sunshine Tour event they had at the Links a few months ago, where 80 was a good score. It will be a good challenge."
There are five Irish players in the field: Damien McGrane, Gary Murphy, Michael Hoey, David Higgins and Stephen Browne.
Meanwhile, Muirfield is to stage the 2007 Senior British Open just a week after Nick Faldo, twice a winner of the British Open on the Scottish links, celebrates his 50th birthday and therefore becomes eligible.
The event will be on July 26th-29th, following on from the Open at Carnoustie, and it will be the first time Muirfield has played host.
With Seve Ballesteros reaching 50 in April 2007, two of the all-time greats of European golf should be competing. Faldo will have taken over from Ian Woosnam as Ryder Cup captain by then.
