Jonathan Gøth-Rasmussen is targeting a fast start to the season, which could see him secure DP World Tour status, as the SDC Open in South Africa kick-starts the 2026 Road to Mallorca.
The Dane, who tees it up in the first of four co-sanctioned events with the Sunshine Tour to begin the 30-event HotelPlanner Tour schedule, could add his name to the graduate class of 25 with a top four finish on the bushveld layout this week.
Gøth-Rasmussen ended last year 28th on the Road to Mallorca, doing so after injuring his wrist in this event 12 months ago which forced an eight week lay off.
The 27-year-old received a one-event medical exemption due to the injury which comes in to play this week, and should he earn 99 points or better – the number of points he finished outside of the promotion places last year - he will secure immediate promotion to the DP World Tour.
“I’ve been working hard on my swing, so I’m hoping it pays off,” he said.
“Last year, on this course, I hurt my wrist and I was out for eight weeks, so I have a one-tournament medical extension. I need a top four finish to get my DP World Tour card.
“It would be nice to do it. I’d get some revenge on this golf course here too, so I’m looking forward to it.”
Gøth-Rasmussen recorded a memorable victory on home soil in the Danish Golf Challenge last year alongside two other top tens as he narrowly missed out on promotion.
The two-time HotelPlanner Tour winner is excited for the new campaign to get under way and says his swing feels in good order ahead of the first tee shot on Thursday.
“I’m hitting the ball a lot better than I did last year, so I’m hoping to do the same during the tournament,” he added.
“This course requires a lot in all parts of the game. The fairways are super tight, and it plays so much easier from the fairway, so if you hit five really good drives in a round, you can get a decent score around here.
“It’s great out here. I came out to South Africa on vacation when I was younger, and it’s so nice. Good food and great weather, lovely people.”
Gøth-Rasmussen would guarantee his promotion to the DP World Tour with a fourth-place finish or better, while German Hurly Long, who also received a one event medical carried over from 2025, will earn promotion with a win at Zebula.
A strong field joins Gøth-Rasmussen and Long for the opening week of the season, with DP World Tour winners Haydn Porteous, Matthew Baldwin and Yannik Paul all set to tee it up.
