Thomas Aiken may not be defending his title , but South African players will look to maintain their stranglehold on the Africa Open in East London this week . England 's Andy Sullivan is favourite to spoil their plans after winning the Joburg Open last Sunday , the 27-year-old claiming his second European Tour title in South Africa in the space of eight weeks . 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 Aiken . Andy Sullivan in action during the pro-am ahead of the Africa Open at East London Golf Club . European Ryder Cup captain Darren Clarke hits an approach shot in practice ahead of the tournament . Aiken 's win 12 months ago helped him 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 . 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 . '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 his Joburg Open last week . 'Since then the Africa Open always attracts a strong contingent of local and international players . The crowds are always fantastic , because they are lively but very neutral . They just want to watch some great golf and they cheer for everyone . It 's fun to play in front of galleries like that . 'Personally , I would very much like to put my name below Thomas ' on the trophy before the international players have their day . ' Matthew Baldwin of England tees off on the fifth hole during practice at the stunning East London Golf Club . 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 . ' I think if I did I 'd become one of the most hated people down here , so I 'm not sure if I want to win this week , ' Sullivan joked . 'But obviously it would be great to get a victory down here as well . 'It 's quite hard because we go from week to week so it still has not sunk in yet . I am on the crest of a wave and just want to keep riding it and hopefully keep going this week . I 'm looking forward to the task at hand , I think the wind is going to keep the scoring pretty fair and it should be fun . A buck crosses the fairway as home player Trevor Fisher jnr plays a shot . Thankfully for Graeme Storm the bucks stop with him able to hit his drive during the pro-am . 'It 's a hell of a lot different to last week where we were just hitting the ball straight up in the air , it could be a massive change to what we are used to but I 've had a couple of days in the wind now to get used to it and a feel for the course . We are professional golfers for a reason , we should be able to adapt . ' 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 Oliver Fisher , who lost out in a play-off to Aiken 12 months ago . ' I have fond memories of the place , it was a good week last year and hopefully I can have a good week again , ' Fisher said . 'Last year I started well here to set the season off on a good tone and it 's always nice to get off to a good start . '
Andy Sullivan is favourite to win Africa Open this week . The former world number one has been playing in the tournament for a year and won it last year. But South Africans have claimed top prize every year since event began .