Els calls on home team to repel high-class challenge

ERNIE ELS wants the strong contingent of home players assembled at this week's South African Open to overcome the high-class international field and win the title.

The world number nine, a four-time winner of the second-oldest national Open, leads a host of big names at Pearl Valley Estates.

Trevor Immelman, Retief Goosen, Henrik Stenson, Lee Westwood and Darren Clarke are all competing in the event in Paarl, alongside defending champion James Kingston, Rory Sabbatini and Justin Rose.

Only nine non-South African players have ever won the title and three-time major winner Els is hoping that total will not change come Sunday. "We South Africans love our sport and we don't want any foreigner to win our national tournament, so to speak," said Els.

"I think our guys will really pick up their games, especially with the world-class players here.

"It definitely sharpens your focus a little bit. The tournament is very healthy, seeing all the players coming back to play.

"We've got a world-class field here. For this time of year to be in South Africa, it means we've got something special, so I'm rather pleased with what's been going on."

Els, who will be one of the early starters today playing alongside compatriot Sabbatini and Swede Stenson, praised the Jack Nicklaus-designed course, adding that he was looking forward to the week.

"The golf course is in unbelievable shape, really in remarkable condition. I'd like to play well here and get myself really teed up for next year," he said.

"This is a tournament that I really wanted to come and play in. I regard the South African Open very highly. It really launched my career in a way.

"Back in 1992, winning here gave me a lot of spots into international tournaments and really set me up. So I owe this tournament a lot of gratitude."

World number eight Stenson comes into the tournament after an outstanding 2008 that saw him finish tied third at The Open and fourth in the USPGA Championship. He also claimed recent wins at the Omega Mission Hills World Cup and the Nedbank Golf Challenge in South Africa.

Speaking ahead of his first appearance in the tournament, Stenson said: "I think it (2008) went from very good to great. I've had two wins in 2007, two wins in 2006, so it's very nice to get these two tournaments. It's a very good course with lots of options off the tee, and a lot of wind. It's going to be a tough week I think if it keeps blowing like this."

World number 10 Westwood will be playing alongside reigning Masters champion Immelman and last week's Alfred Dunhill Championship winner Richard Sterne.

Rory McIlroy will have a special reason for playing well. He has the opportunity to stay in the world's top 50 and secure an invite to the Masters. McIlroy is precariously placed, just a 0.01 point average behind Thailand's Prayad Marksaeng and the same ahead of 51st-placed Lin Wen-Tang of Taiwan.

He is joined in the field by compatriots Gary Murphy, Damien McGrane, Gareth Maybin and Michael Hoey.