Organisers of the Nedbank Golf Challenge (NGC) are hoping the Race to Dubai is thrown wide open in the coming weeks.
European golf's order of merit is currently dominated by Tommy Fleetwood, who is set to make the trip to Sun City, but local organisers need the chasing pack, in particular Spaniards Sergio Garcia and Jon Rahm, to close in on the Englishman.
The NGC is the penultimate event before the tour climaxes in Dubai and it is hoped the push for points will drive top players south.
"We really wish Tommy Fleetwood well because he's a great guy, but it will be great if Garcia and Rahm are still in the hunt," said NGC tournament director Dan Sevel. "Apparently they are both keen on becoming the first Spaniard since Seve Ballesteros to win the European order of merit.
"They also like to hang out, so if the one comes ... The tournament is earlier which means players don't bring family."
Reed maybe, McIlroy a 'no'
Garcia was a popular winner at Sun City in 2001 and 2003, but Rahm, who will turn 23 during the event, could prove a major drawcard. The big-boned player from the Basque country backs up his power game with great finesse on or around the greens.
Northern Ireland's Rory McIlroy, however, will not attend.
Although Sevel has all but shut the door on big-name Americans joining the action, he is still holding out hope Ryder Cup hero Patrick Reed will include the NGC as one of his activities on the European Tour.
"The European Tour is working hard on Patrick Reed, but he hasn't committed yet. He hasn't asked for an appearance fee.
"It is really difficult to get the Americans because they feel there is only ranking points in it for them, and they ask for an appearance fee. We don't play in that space."
Italian job will bring clearer picture
Sevel believes this weekend's Italian Open will help crystalise the field for the NGC. "We get the top 64, so I reckon you can take the current top 85 players in the Race to Dubai and you can take our field from that."
After two rounds in Italy, Garcia and Rahm were four and six off the pace respectively. Fleetwood lurked two more behind.
Sevel will know more about the likely field in the coming days, but he also has some potentially prickly decisions to make.
"We only have one invitation left. A guy like Danny Willett is keen to come and as a former champion we'd love to have him. Padraig Harrington also wants one and although he's had a poor year, he has been loyal to this event, as has Retief Goosen.
Fellow South Africans Louis Oosthuizen and Brandon Stone have confirmed their attendance, with the former needing an invite. Sevel is confident Charl Schwartzel, Branden Grace, George Coetzee, Dean Burmester, Richard Sterne and Haydn Porteous will also tee up at the Gary Player Country Club.
Already confirmed for the event are defending champion Alex Noren and compatriot and 2008 winner Henrik Stenson.
