Masters champion Patrick Reed has confirmed that he will play in the Investec South African Open Championship at Stellenbosch Golf Club from 26 February to 1 March.
Reed will make his debut in golf’s second oldest national Open by virtue of his returning status on the DP World Tour, which co-sanctions this tournament with the Sunshine Tour.
“I’m really excited to make my first trip to South Africa. I have many friends from South Africa and I look forward to competing in their home country on the DP World Tour and in conjunction with the Sunshine Tour,” Reed said.
MAJOR EXEMPTIONS
The current world number 17 adds to what will be one of the most significant weeks in world golf, with the 115th Investec South African Open Championship offering a direct pathway into two of the game’s iconic Majors.
The winner of this year’s Investec South African Open Championship will earn an exemption to the 2026 Masters, while the top three finishers will earn a place in The 154th Open at Royal Birkdale if not already exempt.
Reed heads to Stellenbosch as the most in-form golfer on the DP World Tour at present with two victories and a runner-up in three tournaments this year, a place at the top of the International Swing, and currently first on the Race to Dubai Rankings.
The Ryder Cup star will also seek to become the first American winner of the Investec South African Open in over three decades, with Fred Wadsworth the last American champion in 1989.
JOINS ERNIE
Reed strengthens a field that at present includes fellow Major winner and five-time Investec South African Open champion Ernie Els, Masters champion Charl Schwartzel as well as five of the last six Investec South African Open champions in defending champion Dylan Naidoo, Dean Burmester, Thriston Lawrence, Daniel van Tonder and Branden Grace.
Stellenbosch Golf Club will be a fitting venue for one of the most keenly anticipated Investec South African Opens in recent history, with the course having just completed a series of comprehensive changes that will make it a far from different test from when it last hosted the championship in 1999.
The golf course has been lengthened and will now play at 7 268 yards as a par 70.
A total of 15 tee boxes were upgraded, with 10 of these built new or reconstructed, and five resurfaced. All 44 bunkers on the course have also been upgraded, and more trees have been planted in strategic areas on several holes.
The dam near the 18th green has also been enlarged to make for an even more spectacular finish and to enhance the strategy on this hole.