David GonzalezBubba Watson has two Masters titles, a former world ranking of number two and a career that has taken him around the globe. One tournament missing from that considerable golfing CV, however, is the Nedbank Golf Challenge.
That changes this December.
The American will make his debut at Sun City from 3–6 December 2026, joining a field that already includes fellow Major champions Wyndham Clark, Bryson DeChambeau and Justin Rose.
The tournament, played in honour of Gary Player, returns to the revamped Gary Player Country Club with four Major winners confirmed and a South African challenge strengthened by the additions of Branden Grace and Aldrich Potgieter.
Watson Adds Another Masters Champion to the Field
Watson, who claimed his Green Jackets at Augusta National in 2012 and 2014, brings both experience and a familiar name to an event with a long history of American success.
Johnny Miller won the inaugural Nedbank Golf Challenge in 1981, establishing a connection that later included victories for Raymond Floyd, Corey Pavin, Jim Furyk and Max Homa.
Johannes Veerman added his name to that list in 2024, although his victory came at the expense of a young South African who will be returning with unfinished business.
For Watson, meanwhile, the attraction extends beyond the golf course.
“When you travel the world playing golf, South Africa is one of those places you always want to go back to. The people there live for golf and sports and the country has produced so many great players over the years. You can feel that passion every time you step on the course. And also, getting to see the wildlife while you’re there is just awesome. I’m really looking forward to coming back for the Nedbank Golf Challenge and seeing the fans again.”
There is plenty of history for Watson to follow, although the Gary Player Country Club will present a new competitive experience for the left-hander.
Branden Grace Returns to Familiar Territory
While Watson prepares for his first Nedbank appearance, Branden Grace knows exactly what winning at Sun City feels like.
The nine-time DP World Tour winner claimed the title in 2017 and remains the last South African to lift the trophy.
Grace also owns one of golf’s more remarkable scoring achievements, having recorded a round of 62 at The Open in 2017, a score that established a new low-round record in men’s Major Championship golf.
His return adds a previous champion to the home challenge, and there is little doubt about what the tournament means to him.
“I’m proud to be a former champion of Africa’s Major, and I’m very excited to be coming back to the Nedbank Golf Challenge this December,” said Grace.
Aldrich Potgieter Has Unfinished Business at Sun City
If Grace represents past South African success, Aldrich Potgieter provides perhaps the more intriguing story heading into December.
The 22-year-old will make his third Nedbank Golf Challenge appearance, having come remarkably close to winning on his debut in 2024.
Competing on an invitation, Potgieter led the field through 54 holes before eventually finishing runner-up, a single stroke behind Veerman.
It was a frustratingly narrow miss, particularly for a player still establishing himself at the highest level.
Since then, Potgieter has added further weight to his reputation. Already the youngest winner in Korn Ferry Tour history, he has also become the youngest South African to win on the PGA Tour.
Those achievements make his return to Sun City worth watching, although his previous performance at the Gary Player Country Club provides a compelling enough reason on its own.
A Strong International Field, With Home Interest
With Watson, Clark, DeChambeau and Rose confirmed, the Nedbank Golf Challenge has assembled a notable collection of Major champions for its December edition.
Yet the South African contingent has its own appeal.
Grace is returning to a tournament he has already won. Potgieter is heading back to the scene of a near miss that came within one shot of becoming one of the event’s memorable debut victories.
Watson may be the biggest new name on the entry list, but for South African golf fans, there are two home players with very different reasons to relish another crack at Sun City.
