Africa Major Unveils New Redesign of Gary Player Country Club

The Nedbank Golf Challenge, known as “Africa Major,” will return to a transformed Gary Player Country Club this December, with the most significant course redesign in the tournament’s history creating a new championship test for some of world golf’s biggest names.

The course transformation is the headline development ahead of the 44th edition of the Nedbank Golf Challenge. Alongside the new layout, Sun International has confirmed the first five players in a strong opening field, while Sun City has expanded the tournament into a broader destination experience that continues beyond the final putt each day.

At the heart of the redevelopment is an entirely new 470-metre par-four first hole. Built parallel to the original hole and climbing higher up the mountainside, the new opening hole represents the most significant single change to the Gary Player Country Club layout in the tournament’s history.

The site of the former first hole will be converted into the course’s first dedicated practice range. The transformation also includes new professional tees, refurbished bunkers, an enlarged dam on the second hole and a newly opened view of the waterfall from the ninth hole.

Together, these changes are designed to provide a tougher and more exciting championship test while preserving the character and heritage of a course that has hosted the Nedbank Golf Challenge since 1981. The first player announcement has added significant star power to this year’s tournament.

Professional golfer wearing a dark polo with sponsor logos, holding a putter on a green golf course.

Major champion Justin Rose returns after finishing runner-up in 2007.

Golf pro walking on a sunny course in a white patterned polo and navy cap, crowd blurred in the background, preparing for a shot.

Major champion Bryson DeChambeau will join the opening field for December.

Male golfer in a navy sweater and cap walking on a golf course with a putter in hand.

South Africa’s Casey Jarvis arrives following back-to-back DP World Tour victories.

Man in pink checkered polo and blue cap standing outdoors with a golf rangefinder in his hand; coastal course background

Defending champion Kristoffer Reitan returns to defend his title.

Male golfer wearing a white PXG cap and striped polo, holding a golf club on a green course, looking to the side

Marco Penge, the 2025 DP World Tour Players’ Player of the Year, adds further international pedigree to the opening field.

Major champions Justin Rose and Bryson DeChambeau will headline the opening field alongside South Africa’s Casey Jarvis, defending champion Kristoffer Reitan, and Marco Penge, the 2025 DP World Tour Players’ Player of the Year.

Further player announcements are expected ahead of the tournament. Major champion Justin Rose will return to Sun City after finishing runner-up at the Nedbank Golf Challenge in 2007. Major champion Bryson DeChambeau will make his appearance in the opening field for the December tournament.

South Africa’s Casey Jarvis enters the tournament following back-to-back victories on the DP World Tour. Defending champion Kristoffer Reitan will return to Gary Player Country Club as he looks to retain his title. Marco Penge, the 2025 DP World Tour Players’ Player of the Year, adds further international pedigree to an already impressive opening field.

Brett Hoppe, Resort General Manager at Sun City, said the Nedbank Golf Challenge remains one of the resort’s biggest annual highlights, while the redesigned course and expanded entertainment programme will give visitors even more reasons to stay at Sun City.

“The Nedbank Golf Challenge has always been one of the highlights of the Sun City calendar, and the golf remains the main attraction,” said Brett Hoppe. “The changes to Gary Player Country Club give the world’s best players a new challenge, while the expanded programme across the resort gives spectators more reasons to stay longer and experience everything Sun City has to offer once play has finished.”

While world-class golf remains at the center of the tournament, the experience will extend beyond the course this year. Sun City has expanded its entertainment programme with headline performances, dining experiences and events taking place across the resort throughout tournament week.

Three major nights of entertainment are planned:

Friday, 4 December: Sunbet Beach Party featuring Scorpion Kings at the Valley of Waves.
Saturday, 5 December: +LIVE+ Concert at the Superbowl.
Sunday, 6 December: The Final Putt! featuring DJ Shimza at Sun Park.

The expanded programme builds on more than four decades of sporting heritage and strengthens the Nedbank Golf Challenge’s position as a major international golf event with the distinctive Sun City experience at its heart. The 2026 Nedbank Golf Challenge in honor of Gary Player, the 44th edition of “Africa’s Major,” will take place at Gary Player Country Club in Sun City from Thursday, 3 December to Sunday, 6 December 2026.

Tickets and hospitality packages went on sale on 18 August, with options ranging from general admission to premium Hospitali-TEE experiences. General admission includes access to Sun City and the Gary Player Country Club Golf Course, general grandstand seating, the practice range and Hospitality Village, with complimentary entry for up to two children under 18 per adult ticket.