article_snippet: Thomas Aiken may not be defending Thomas Aiken title, but South African players will look to maintain South African players stranglehold on the Africa Open in East London this week.
article_snippet: Andy Sullivan Andy Sullivan is favourite to spoil South African players plans after winning the Joburg Open last Sunday, the 27-year-old claiming Andy Sullivan second European Tour title in South Africa in the space of eight weeks.
article_snippet: But home players have won the event every year since it began in 2010, with former Masters champion Charl Schwartzel winning the inaugural event and being followed into the winners' circle by fellow major winner Louis Oosthuizen (twice), Darren Fichardt and Thomas Aiken.
article_snippet: Andy Sullivan the Africa Open .
article_snippet: Thomas Aiken's win 12 months ago helped European Ryder Cup captain Darren Clarke top the Sunshine Tour Order of Merit and secure a place in the field for the WGC-Cadillac Championship, which is also being staged this week at Doral.
article_snippet: That leaves the likes of Fichardt and George Coetzee to lead the home challenge, with Coetzee keen to keep the trophy in South African hands. '
article_snippet: It was my first time playing (in 2010) and it was a big deal to see all the foreign players pull into East London,' said Coetzee, who finished 24th in the defence of European Ryder Cup captain Darren Clarke Joburg Open last week. '
article_snippet: Since then the Africa Open always attracts a strong contingent of local and international players.
article_snippet: European Ryder Cup captain Darren Clarke is a notable name in the field but it is Sullivan, however, who looks most likely to gatecrash the home party. '
article_snippet: Four of the players who finished runner-up to Sullivan last week - David Howell, Jaco van Zyl, Wallie Coetsee and Kevin Phelan - are in the field at East London, along with Fisher. '
highlights_snippet: Andy Sullivan is favourite to win Africa Open this week .
  
highlights_snippet: Englishman has won twice on the European Tour in eight weeks .
  
highlights_snippet: But South Africans have claimed top prize every year since event began .