Anahita - George Coetzee has dropped a hint at the return of the Tshwane Open after the tournament was scrapped from the European Tour schedule.
This comes after the European Tour decided not to renew their contract to have the Tshwane Open form part of the 2018/19 season.
Coetzee lifted the trophy in Tshwane in March this year when he romped to a four-stroke win at Pretoria Country Club.
There have since been reports that the Tshwane Open could partner with the Asian Tour to revive the historic event.
"It's okay, I understand the situation back home and I heard there might be a Tshwane Open, but just with that much money, which is understandable," Coetzee told Sport24 at the AfriAsia Bank Mauritius Open, sponsored by the Mauritius Tourism Promotion Authority.
"We've got to do what's good for the people and not for the golf, I suppose.
"It's great to have won it twice and obviously be the last winner of the European version (that) is always amazing, but yeah I really hope there's still a Tshwane Open even if it's not (on the) European (Tour)," he said.
"It will be nice to have an event in my home town of Pretoria. It will be nice to play there."
There will only be three European Tour events hosted in South Africa on the 2018/19 calendar - the South African Open, the Alfred Dunhill Championship and the Nedbank Golf Challenge.
Since his Tshwane Open win, Coetzee has struggled with form, missing seven cuts in 17 events - with only one top 10 finish at the Spanish Open.
"It's getting closer, it's golf I suppose, you just got to be patient and just keep on working hard," said Coetzee.
"Hopefully the form will start kicking in and I'll have a good rest for next year's season."
Coetzee shot an opening round of 3-under par 69 at the AfriAsia Mauritius Open at the Four Seasons Golf Club at Anahita.
"It felt like it went pretty well - three under today. I don't know what the rest of the guys are doing but it felt like I left a couple out there. That's golf and I'm quite happy to be under par for the first round of the season."
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