South African Open Golf Betting Tips: Two 22/1 shots who look primed for home win

Patrick Reed will tee it up as the clear favourite for this week’s South African Open, but GolfMagic’s betting column is looking beyond the American as the DP World Tour heads to Stellenbosch.

The 115th Investec South African Open takes place at Stellenbosch Golf Club, with the Cape’s fourth-oldest club hosting the national Open for just the second time in its history. The last time it staged the championship was in 1999, when local hero David Frost triumphed at the course where he grew up and once caddied for his father.

Reed arrives in South Africa in red-hot form. The 2018 Masters champion has already wrapped up the DP World Tour’s International Swing and bonus prize of $200,000 after claiming two victories in his last three starts. 

There are clear signs the American is rediscovering the level that carried him to major glory in 2018, and it is no surprise to see him installed as tournament favourite (9/1) on his South African Open debut.

However, despite Reed’s momentum, we’re siding with homegrown talent this week.

We’ve selected two outright picks, both South Africans, both priced at 22/1, and both arriving in strong form.

Let's dive in...

South African Open Betting Tips

Branden Grace – 22/1

Branden Grace looks to be flying under the radar ahead of his national Open, and that could prove dangerous for the rest of the field.

The LIV Golf star may no longer compete full-time on the DP World Tour, but he returns to home soil with a compelling recent record. Grace has posted seven top-10 finishes across LIV Golf, the DP World Tour and the Asian Tour in his last eight starts. He opened the 2026 LIV season with finishes of ninth in Riyadh and eighth in Adelaide, and across his last eight rounds he sits at a combined 32-under par.

That consistency is hard to ignore.

Grace has won four of his nine career European Tour titles in South Africa and has a proven ability to raise his game in familiar surroundings. His last DP World Tour victory came at the South African Open in 2020, albeit at Randpark, and history suggests he thrives when playing at home.

At 22/1, the price stands out for a player of his pedigree and current form.

Hennie du Plessis – 22/1

Our second selection is another home favourite in Hennie du Plessis, who arrives brimming with confidence after a superb week at the Magical Kenya Open.

Du Plessis nearly holed his second shot at the par-5 18th on Sunday as he secured a solo third-place finish, underlining the quality of golf he is producing right now. But his form stretches beyond just one week.

The 29-year-old has recorded eight top-25 finishes in his last nine appearances across the DP World Tour and Sunshine Tour. It is arguably the best run of his career, and a breakthrough win on the main Tour feels close.

Du Plessis is no stranger to lifting trophies, having won three times on the Sunshine Tour and twice on the Challenge Tour. A DP World Tour title would represent a significant step forward, and his all-round game looks ready. He is one of the longer hitters in the field, sharp with his irons and putting with confidence.

At 22/1, he represents strong value to deliver a first career DP World Tour victory on home soil.

As always, please remember to gamble responsibly. Scroll down to see the latest odds and full market for this week’s South African Open...