The Big Three. Gary Player, Ernie Els and Retief Goosen. And, waiting in the wings, an esteemed line of young South African aspirants hoping to add their name to history, to become South Africa’s number four.

Heading the line is 27-year old Trevor Immelman, the tournament favourite this week for the Buick Championship at the 6,820-yard, par-70 River Highlands course in Connecticut.

Immelman hopes that this week will be his first of many titles on tour.

"I hope it's all connected," Immelman said on Tuesday ahead of this week’s PGA Tour event. "I remember when I was six back in South Africa. I tagged along with my brother Mark, who played with Ernie and Retief.

“They were like nine years older than me. I just watched them play. Ernie and Retief were the guys in South Africa. I'm not in their class yet; I've got a long way to go, but they continue to inspire me."

“What Gary, Ernie and Retief have done and how they’ve performed on the world stage, well, it's a badge of honour for all of us from South Africa.”

During his Presidents Cup experience in 2005, the wiry Somerset West native soaked up tips from his fellow teammates on preparation, course management, executing shots and mental determination.

That confidence has stood him in good stead this season, which he still splits between the PGA, European and Sunshine Tours.

"I think the biggest difference has been with my short game," he said. "From 100 yards in, I am converting three shots into two more often. And, when I've hit good shots, I've been able to convert those into birdie putts."

Playing in his first Buick Championship, Immelman may still be chasing a maiden win on the PGA Tour, but he is fast approaching world-class status.

Two weeks ago he tied for 21st at the US Open. He has jumped 31 places from 62nd to 31st on the world golf rankings in just six months and is 14th on the PGA Tour money list with earnings of $2,064,746.

Immelman did himself proud at the 2005 Presidents Cup, where he ended 1-3 in his matches. His proudest moment? To be handpicked by Player as the Captain’s Pick.

"The whole experience was fantastic for me," Immelman said. "You know to get selected into that team, it was probably the highlight of my career so far."

"To be able to spend a week with guys of that stature, Mike Weir, Michael Campbell, Vijay and the Goose. It was such a great experience for me," Immelman said. "I learned so much from them and got to spend valuable time with them in a team room situation or practice rounds when they were sharing information freely."

So far this year, Immelman has had two close calls with the winner’s circle, claiming runner-up spots at the Wachovia and EDS Byron Nelson Championships. In fact, one more made putt would have given him the Wachovia title, but he lost in a playoff to Jim Furyk.

Immelman is 10 to 14 in cuts made on the PGA Tour. He plans on playing in six more European Tour events to take his tally to 11. He has made 10 of 14 cuts on the PGA Tour.

After the Buick Championship, Immelman is entered to play the Open Championship at Hoylake. Off course, he’d like to play, but in the end, it may not be up to him.

If he doesn't, he won't be upset.

"Carminita (wife) is nearing the end of her pregnancy. We're expecting a little guy in a few weeks, so it will be up to him if he wants me to play in The Open or not," teases Immelman.

“Whatever happens, I'm going to be there for my wife and support her, and you know, I really look forward to that."

Another wide-open field makes it anyone’s game. The River Highlands is a course that requires thinking on every shot. Players with strong knowledge of the course, precision ball striking, and a good touch around the greens will the on top on the leaderboard come Sunday, as Faxon proved last year.

Let’s go, Trevor. As your sponsor put it so aptly, ‘just do it’.

With thanks to http://www.covers.com for Trevor Immelman quotes.