Odoh earns right to jostle with top players at Dimension Data

His profile has continued to rise. Nigeria’s Oche Odoh, who has been the country’s shining light internationally for a while, will this weekend have his biggest test so far in South Africa, as he is drawn with some of the most rated players on the planet at the Dimension Data in Fancourt, South Africa.

Odoh is the lone Nigerian on the Sunshine Tour, where former World number, Lee Westwood’s pedigree has raised the bar in the chase for the 5.5 million Rands at stake.

Former Open Champion, Scotsman, Paul Lawrie, Hanie Otto, Jbe Kruger are other key players drawing global attention to Sunshine Tour this weekend.

Odoh, who came in courtesy of his improved rating after the Sunshine Tour was recalibrated in January, says he is very positive of a decent outing.

“I got here by hard work and I believe the future can be furthered with the same spirit. I am aware of the rating of the players that have entered; we have the same numbers of clubs in our bags. I am very positive,” he said.

As a precursor to this week’s play, Oche had pulled one of his best comeback feats last weekend at the Eye of Africa PGA Championship, where he threw in a 65, seven under par card on day –two to avoid missing cut at the event.

“It was an incredible round for me and gives me confidence for this week’s challenge,” he added. He had returned a not-too-comfortable 76, four over, which he garnered from his last two holes (17th and 18th), a triple bogie and a bogie. His only chance of moving ahead was to ‘dig-in’ big, which he did by posting a joint best score of for the week that salvaged his chance.

The multiple Nigerian Tour player of the year said that seeing his card in “red” last week was all he needed as motivation for this week. His performance this week will impart on his World Ranking and more importantly his future chances on the Sunshine Tour.