Bowood’s Jordan Smith ready to step back into rookie season in South Africa

The tournament will be just the third for Derry Hill’s Smith on the continent's top tier, having made his debut at the Australian PGA Championship back in December.

Smith earned his place on the Tour by claiming the Order or Merit title on the second-tier Challenge Tour in 2016.

The 24-year-old will be hoping to follow up the achievement of making his first cut on the Tour at the UBS Hong Kong Open in his final event before the festive break when he returns to action in South Africa.

Four-time major champion Rory McIlroy heads the field at Glendower Golf Club in Gauteng.

Meanwhile, Sky Sports golf expert Nick Dougherty has picked out Bowood man Smith as one of his five players to watch on the European Tour in 2017.

Dougherty, a three-time winner on the Tour, said: “He topped the Challenge Tour rankings last season and has obviously shown he has a lot of game.

“He appears to have settled quite quickly on the European Tour and played nicely in Hong Kong, earning his first cheque of the new campaign with a T36 finish.

“To win the Road to Oman takes a full season of solid performances.

"It’s not like earning your card through Qualifying School, where you can have six good days and emerge a winner.

“It’s always tough to predict how Q-School graduates will fare on the main Tour.

“Smith was obviously good all year and managed a number of big performances. Two wins, six other top-10s and only four cuts missed is a commendable effort.

“To be that consistent and play to a high level over a season shows your mettle, and proves that you are good enough to be on the European Tour.

“Can he win this season? I think he possible can because his confidence will be very high.

"It’s a big step up and each tournament now will have a different feel, but Jordan will be relatively comfortable.

“He’s got a great game and he’s another very promising English talent, and he will look to build on what was a remarkable year for him in 2016."