He’s one of golf’s big three but while he has spent a few days watching Africa’s big five and has his sights set on returning to world number one this month, Rory McIlroy’s early-season sojourn to South Africa is all about one thing — the first major of the year.

World number two Rory McIlroy begins the new year having not yet decided on what clubs he will play but insists the player rather than the equipment is more important.

Tiger Woods admitted there had been “some pretty dire times” during his 15-month injury absence after a closing 76 saw him finish 15th at the Hero World Challenge, 14 shots behind winner Hideki Matsuyama.

South Africa’s Haydn Porteous carded a final round 69 to win his first European Tour title at the Joburg Open yesterday.

Paul Dunne is in position to challenge for his maiden European Tour win and a third successive Open Championship appearance after carding a career low 63 in the second round of the Joburg Open.

Branden Grace justified his position as pre-tournament favourite before bad weather disrupted play for the second day running in the BMW SA Open in Johannesburg.

South Africa’s Jaco van Zyl claimed the clubhouse lead in the BMW SA Open as tournament host Ernie Els suffered another attack of the dreaded yips at Glendower.