Last week at the English Open the old timers were hard-pressed to come up with faces to match the many unknown names on the starting list. They were a fresh-faced big-swinging bunch with a smattering of faded hopefuls. It's a tribute to the amount of big events that have been played over the last six weeks that such a reputable event attracts such a weak field. Almost all of the category 13 players, those who made the cut at the Tour School but finished outside the top 35, played in the tournament. Low profile players were given the chance to perform under the spotlight of the European Tour. So when the waifish and gangling figure of Omar Sandys presented himself at the Forest of Arden for his first event outside Africa he commanded more attention than he has ever received. There is only so much the media can regurgitate about Monty, Lee Westwood and his stable-mate Darren Clarke's golfing exploits. The South African provided a welcome break from the British media's usual obsession with local stars. It may have been June but it felt like March for the contestants last week. With winds gusting to 25 miles an hour, maximum temperatures of 15 degrees and squalling rain showers, Sandys was exposed to weather that would make him shiver in winter back in the Orange Free State. He had to borrow some sweaters from one of his sponsors, Darren Clarke, to protect him from the sharp northwest winds. Weighing in at 10 stones and standing 6 feet tall, needless to say Sandys looked lost in the big Northern Irishman's clothing.

I followed his progress in the latter stage of his first round. He turned out to look like a cross between Sammy Davis Junior and a gangling jockey. Sandys had played a practice round with Clarke earlier in the week and must have adopted his quick marching action. He was some 50 paces ahead of his playing partners on each fairway, his oversized clothing flapping in the wind - this man is keen to get to his ball.

Talking to him after his first-round 77 (by no means a disgrace on a tough opening day for a man in a strange environment) Sandys was disappointed and reflective. His caddie Reggie, also from South Africa, accused him of being too cocky over the closing holes. Earlier in the round he had accused him of being too negative. Sandys was naturally a bit miffed as to what his caddie was actually expecting from him, confidence or humility. He was also confused and annoyed at bogeying the final three holes of his round.

As I tried to find out about Sandys' golfing routes, he drifted from his home town of Welkom in the Free State to his mental disintegration over the closing holes at the Forest of Arden. Lee Westwood, Sandys' other sponsor, told me about their first meeting last week. Sandys may have been on an all-expenses trip, but his caddie was also angling for a bit of free coaching for him to boot. Peter Cowen, who coaches Westwood, was on the range. Reggie said Sandys might need some technical assistance from a swing coach. Sandys rejected this, saying there was nothing wrong with his swing: "It is a gift from God". He did however admit he "needed a psychologist". Sandys used to carry his fathers' clubs around the Oppenheimer Golf Club near Welkom. His father is a gold miner who played golf in the course owned by the philanthropic family. Always keen on workers' development, the Oppenheimers encouraged their employees to play sport, golf included. Sandys' father would play every Sunday. Having played golf since he was 13, at 16 years of age Sandys joined as a junior member and won the club championship by 21 shots the same year. A year later he gave up his other sporting interest, karate, to concentrate on golf. He realised he had a special talent for the game.

On Tuesdays and Fridays he would leave school early to play golf at the Oppenheimer club, with the principal's permission of course. He turned pro in 1999 and has made steady progress on the South African Tour by finishing in the top 120 in his first year, 79th in his second and lies in the top 20 in this year's order of merit. Having hustled his way around the South African Tour on 1500 rand (£180) a week by driving everywhere and sleeping in his car if he couldn't find any local people to house him, Sandys has come up the hard way. His efforts to get either Gary Player or Ernie Els to help him out in his embryonic years as a professional fell on deaf ears.

So when he got the call came from Chubby Chandler - manager of Clarke and Westwood - to make the trip to the English Open he "took the opportunity and ran" in his own words. He was sporting a new bag, new clubs, new shoes and a new hope for the future. Reluctant to name golfing idols, he would only say he was extremely grateful to Clarke and Westwood for their encouragement and financial assistance. As "Chubbies' Tubbies" planned their trip for the US Open in a private jet at considerable cost, Sandys was enjoying the comfort of his hotel room at the Forest of Arden while analysing seven-over-par total (he hit a second round of 74) and a cut missed by two shots. He has learnt more than just to bring warm clothing next time he comes to Europe in the summer to play golf.