Who has won the most Nedbank Golf Challenge titles at Sun City?

Brad Newcomb

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Last updated: 05 Jun 2024

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Brad Newcomb 05 Jun 2024

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A look at the history of the Nedbank Golf Challange
Who has won the most Nedbank Golf Challenge titles?
Guide to the most successful golfers at the Sun City event

Lee Westwood hands the trophy back to Gary Player (Getty Images)

Which golfers have won the most Nedbank Golf Challenge titles at Sun City?

From its auspicious beginning of having five players in the field to being included on the DP World Tour, the Nedbank Golf Challenge, also dubbed "Africa's Major", has a long history of providing the African continent with the best golfers for the past four decades.

The Gary Player Country Club at Sun City opened in 1979 and has been home to the Nedbank Golf Challenge since 1981.

Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player, Lee Trevino, Seve Ballesteros and Johnny Miller contested the inaugural event.

The field has grown from five players to ten and then 12 for most of its history. In 2013 the tournament was included on the European Tour, expanding its field to 30 and then 72 players in 2016.

In 2020 and 2021 there was no Nedbank Golf Challenge due to COVID-19. The subsequent two years (2022/2023) was won by Tommy Fleetwood and Max Homa.

1. Ernie Els, Nick Price, Lee Westwood and David Frost - 3 Titles each

ernie els nedbank — Ernie Els in the Nedbank Golf Challenge

Ernie Els dominated for nine years, with victories in 1999, 2000 and 2002, to go with his runner-up berths in 1996, 1997, 2001 and 2004.

Nick Price had an equally impressive period of success, winning in 1993, 1997 and 1998, accompanying his second places in 1994 and 1995.

Lee Westwood landed back-to-back titles in 2010 and 2011 and sealed his third in 2018. He also finished runner-up back in 2000.

David Frost was the first three-time winner of the Nedbank Golf Challenge, capturing the titles in 1989, 1990 and 1992.

=2. Sergio Garcia, Jim Furyk, Bernhard Langer and Seve Ballesteros - 2 Titles each

sergio garcia nedbank win — Sergio Garcia winning The Nedbank Golf Challenge in 2003 (Getty Images)

Sergio Garcia won two titles in the space of three years, etching his name onto the trophy in 2001 and 2003, as well as finishing runner-up in 2013 and 2018.

The late, great Seve Ballesteros won back-to-back in 1983 and 1984, with second place in 1981.

Jim Furyk also achieved consecutive titles in 2005 and 2006.

Stalwart Bernhard Langer tasted success in 1985 and 1991.

=3. Henrik Stenson, Nick Faldo, Retief Goosen, Colin Montgomerie and 15 others - 1 Title each

retief goosen nedbank win — Retief Goosen kisses the trophy after winning the Nedbank Golf Challenge in 2004 (Getty Images)

Henrik Stenson won the 2008 edition of this event and had three runner-up berths in 2006, 2009 and 2015.

Nick Faldo was second on three occasions in 1983, 1984 and 1987 before victory in 1994.

Retief Goosen had an impressive three-year run at the Nedbank Golf Challenge, placing second in 2003, winning in 2004 and runner-up in 2005.

Colin Montgomerie took the title in 1996 and finished second in 1999 and 2002.

Johnny Miller was the first player to lift the trophy at the Nedbank Golf Challenge, beating Seve Ballesteros in a playoff.

Tommy Fleetwood, Thomas Bjorn, Robert Allenby, Corey Pavin, Branden Grace, Alex Noren, Marc Leishman, Danny Willett, Martin Kaymer, Trevor Immelman, Fulton Allem, Ian Woosnam, Mark McNulty and Raymond Floyd and have all claimed victory at the Gary Player Country Club.

Notable elite golfers who have competed at the Nedbank Golf Challenge but failed to lift the trophy include:

Tiger Woods
Rory McIlroy
Louis Oosthuizen

Most Nedbank Golf Challenge Titles FAQs

Which golfer has won the most Nedbank Golf Challenge titles?

Ernie Els, Lee Westwood, Nick Price and David Frost have each been victorious at the Gary Play Country Club three times.

Has any elite golfer failed to win the Nedbank Golf Challenge tournament?

Yes, Tiger Woods, Rory McIlroy and Louis Oosthuizen have all made appearances at "Africa's Major" but could not walk away with the honours at Sun City.