South Africans take a shine to Juliet

VIJAY isn’t here, Tiger is struggling with injury and the Europeans are hungover from Ryder Cup heroics.

Accordingly, there could hardly be a better time for the South Africans, and especially Ernie and Retief, for glory and honour at Mount Juliet.

Or at least, so goes the perceived wisdom here in Kilkenny, as 44 of the top 50 golfers on the planet battle it out for the €5.7 million American Express World Championship, which tees off at 11.30am.