AFRICA AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP

February 3, 2025

Jordan Burnand

Quick Quotes

Q. Jordan, back for another appearance in the African Amateur Championship after last year. How much are you looking forward to this week?

JORDAN BURNAND: I'm obviously very excited. I think anytime you get to compete at Leopard Creek and in an R&A event that's run so well, I think its's such an honour and a privilege, so I'm really looking forward to the week and the heat and hopefully we can make the most of it.

Q. Looking back on last year, what do you remember from last year? What were the key moments for you? Is there anything you'll take forward to this week?

JORDAN BURNAND: I think it's patience. I think that's the biggest thing around this golf course. There are birdies out there, but there's also some big numbers, so you've just got to be patient. It's a long championship; it's 72 holes, so you've got to keep your foot on the gas all the time and just keep on plodding away the whole week.

Q. You played in the Dunhill at the end of last year here?

JORDAN BURNAND: Yeah.

Q. How did you get on there?

JORDAN BURNAND: Look, I missed the cut, but I think obviously it's a very different setup to what we've ever been used to playing in normal amateur events, but it's a massive learning curve and I think I've taken a lot of notes down that I can implement this week and hopefully that can help my performance this week.

Q. Last year we had a lot of Africans competing right until the very end. Alton won at the end. Is there a camaraderie but also a bit of competitiveness between you all?

JORDAN BURNAND: Yeah, of course. Obviously we're South Africans; we're good mates; we travel with each other most of the year, but also you want to beat the guy you're playing against, so the competitiveness is there but also the camaraderie. I think it's fantastic. I think it's a great event, and the South Africans love competing against each other. It's really good fun.

Q. Coming off a decent performance last week, as well, has that given you a bit of momentum coming into this week?

JORDAN BURNAND: It has, yes. To have a good week last week back home and to get a bit of confidence under the belt to be able to come out here this week and perform and just to see where the game is at. Last week is really a feeler for this week, so super excited, yeah.

Q. Some great exemptions on the length for the winner. Not looking too far ahead, how would it feel to perhaps win and go on to play in the Open?

JORDAN BURNAND: Yeah, I think any golfer it's a dream to play The Open, and to play it as an amateur is even more special. We've got to put that thought aside and play golf this week, but I think it would be an absolute honour and a huge privilege to go to Northern Ireland this year.