Cape Town – South Africa’s Dean Burmester says he is living a childhood dream playing in his first Nedbank Golf Challenge in Sun City this week.

Burmester has had a stellar season thus far after recording his maiden European Tour title at the Tshwane Open in March.

In 22 European Tour events this season, he has only failed on four occasions to make the cut.

He is looking forward to his weekend at Sun City and is eager to see it as an opportunity to fulfill a life-long dream.

“It’s a childhood dream to be playing in the Nedbank Golf Challenge,” Burmester told Sport24.

“I’ve been here a couple of times when I was a lot younger and watched Ernie (Els) and Nick Price and know that all the world’s best have competed here.

“To walk the fairways in the Pro Am (on Tuesday) was just amazing and it was a great start to the week. I’m looking forward to what Thursday, Friday and the weekend have in store for me.”

The 28-year-old currently lies 54th on the Race to Dubai standings and a solid performance at the Gary Player Country Club will see him advance through to the DP World Tour Championship in Dubai.

“It’s good playing back in South Africa, I haven’t played here in a while, there were some smaller events in the winter but it’s good to be competing in a Rolex Series event on home soil.

“My form is looking pretty good. I’ve been hitting the ball really well. Just been struggling a little bit on the greens but I’ve done a couple of small stroke changes and I’ll hold thumbs that everything comes off Thursday. It’s going to be great fun.”

Burmester tees off alongside Englishman Andy Sullivan and Belgium’s Nicolas Colsaerts in Round 1 at 10:28 on Thursday.