Els out for Sun City win

SUN CITY – Three of the world’s top 10 golfers and eight of the top 20 will contest the annual Nedbank Golf Challenge over the Gary Player Country Club course beginning tomorrow.

South Africa’s world number five Ernie Els, who is chasing a record four victories in the 27th edition of the tournament, is the highest ranked player in the 12-man line-up. Also included are top tenners in Adam Scott (6) of Australia and England’s Justin Rose (8) who topped the Order of Merit on the 2007 European Tour after winning the end-of-season Volvo Masters.Other players in the top 20 shooting for the 1.2-million US dollars first prize are South Africa’s Rory Sabbatini (11), Australia’s 2006 US Open winner Geoff Ogilvy (13), Swede Henrik Stenson (16), England’s Luke Donald (17) and Niclas Fasth (19), also of Sweden.Fasth is a late replacement for defending champion Jim Furyk of the United States who also won here in 2005 but has withdrawn because of a neck injury.Trevor Immelman of South Africa replaces Garcia and American Stewart Cink has come in for Harrington.South Africa’s Retief Goosen and compatriot Charl Schwartzel, who earns a spot by topping last summer’s Sunshine Tour Order of Merit, complete the 12-man line-up.Nampa-AFPAlso included are top tenners in Adam Scott (6) of Australia and England’s Justin Rose (8) who topped the Order of Merit on the 2007 European Tour after winning the end-of-season Volvo Masters.Other players in the top 20 shooting for the 1.2-million US dollars first prize are South Africa’s Rory Sabbatini (11), Australia’s 2006 US Open winner Geoff Ogilvy (13), Swede Henrik Stenson (16), England’s Luke Donald (17) and Niclas Fasth (19), also of Sweden.Fasth is a late replacement for defending champion Jim Furyk of the United States who also won here in 2005 but has withdrawn because of a neck injury.Trevor Immelman of South Africa replaces Garcia and American Stewart Cink has come in for Harrington.South Africa’s Retief Goosen and compatriot Charl Schwartzel, who earns a spot by topping last summer’s Sunshine Tour Order of Merit, complete the 12-man line-up.Nampa-AFP