The last South African golfer to win a Major, Ernie Els, is also, surprisingly, probably the best-placed in-form local to do the business and end the drought at this weeks Open Championship at Royal Troon in Scotland.
The 152nd Open tees off on Thursday and Els , who is now 54, will lead the SA charge which on this occasion consists of eight title challengers.
They are all looking to win a first Major by a South African since Els last did it, also at the Open, though played at Royal Lytham and St Annes in 2012.
Els, who also won the Open in 2002 at Muirfield as well as two US Open titles in 2004 and 2007, goes into this weeks final Major of the year in good form, having won his first senior Major, at the Kaulig Companies Championship at Firestone , last weekend.
Els will tee off at 1.31pm on Thursday alongside SA amateur Altin van der Merwe and Gary Woodland.
