South Africa finds strength in numbers (AFP)

SOUTHPORT, England (AFP) - Relative to the size of their country, South Africans make up one of the biggest national contingents in the Open Championship that starts here Thursday. There are 12 of them in the field of 156, a mix of long experience and of exuberant youth. They also represent the biggest entry from South Africa to any Open, which is a measure of the success of this country that also boasts the current rugby world champions. And according to their top player Ernie Els there could have been several more at Royal Birkdale this week, among them Charl Schwartzel and Louis Oosthuizen. Prominent among the South African entries are Els himself with three major titles to his name, Retief Goosen with two and Trevor Immelman, still only 28 years old, taking this year's Masters at Augusta. Two other strongly performing... [read full story]