Calum Hill spurred by 'good memories' as he bids to be Joburg Open party-pooper again
Scot defends title against in-form South Africans Casey Jarvis and Jayden Schaper, as well as Race to Dubai leader Patrick Reed
Calum Hill is aiming to be a party-pooper once again in the Joburg Open as the Scot defends his title against a posse of South African players led by in-form Casey Jarvis.
Twelve months ago, Hill came from eight shots behind heading into the final round at Houghton Golf Club to land his second DP World Tour title triumph.
He signed off with a sensational eight-under-par 62 to set the clubhouse target and, after a long wait, found himself in a play-off with home duo Jacques Kruyswijk and Shaun Norris.
After all three players made par-4s at the first extra hole, Hill triumphed thanks to a par the next hole as Kruyswijk took a 5 and Norris ran up a 6.
‘This week will bring back some good memories’
“This week will bring back some good memories,” admitted Hill, who is defending his crown at the same venue on the back of a strong start to the 2026 calendar campaign.
The 31-year-old sits eighth in the Race to Dubai, having finished joint-second in the Bapco Energies Bahrain Championship at the beginning of last month then second on his own in the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters the following week.
“The game is in good shape,” added Hill. “I’ve had a nice start to the year and I’d like to just keep that momentum going this week. I think my game combined with the good memories here all adds up to a decent week.”
After carding a third-round 65, Hill was in with a chance heading into the closing circuit on Sunday in the Investec South African Open Championship at Stellenbosch Golf Club.
A good day to finish could have seen him secure a Masters spot and also a berth in The 154th Open this year, but he ended up in a tie for 20th as Jarvis thrilled a sell-out home crowd by landing one of the oldest titles in the game.
It was a second win in successive weekends for Jarvis after the 22-year-old landed his breakthrough in the Magical Kenya Open in Nairobi and he’s now bidding to join an exclusive club that includes the likes of Seve Ballesteros and Nick Faldo by claiming three successive victories on the DP World Tour.
“That would be crazy,” admitted Jarvis, who will have Hill and Thriston Lawrence for company in the opening two rounds on Thursday and Friday. “I’ll definitely go for it. To have my name up there with theirs would be unreal.”
Race to Dubai leader Patrick Reed spearheads this week’s line up, which also includes Jayden Schaper, another young South African who has racked up a brace of wins already this season.
‘It will be a long, hard battle’
“The Joburg Open was one of those I’ve wanted to win,” added Jarvis. “There are so many good players here like Patrick and Jayden, so I know it will be a long, hard battle.
“Houghton is a tricky little short golf course with very slopey greens. Your iron play has to be spot on this week, and your putting as well if you want to compete.”
In addition to Hill, Connor Syme, Ewen Ferguson, Richie Ramsay, David Law, Daniel Young, Euan Walker and Cameron Adam are also flying the Saltire in the final leg of the circuit’s International Swing. Adam was sitting as second reserve when the field was finalised following a qualifier on Tuesday, but is now in the field following the withdrawal of both Felippo Celli and Johannes Veerman on Wednesday.
This week’s event will also see one player secure a spot in this summer’s Genesis Scottish Open. It will go to the highest-ranked player in the International Swing not already exempt for the Rolex Series event when the entry list is announced in late June, with South African Hennie du Plessis in line to be teeing up at The Renaissance Club.
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