Players may wear shorts for the first time on European Tour

Ernie Els is putting on his shorts for the pro-am event in Leopard Creek

European Tour players have been allowed to wear competitions for the first time when the new season starts in South Africa on Thursday.

Shorts were previously limited to pro-am and practice rounds.

However, temperatures are expected to peak at 40C (104F) during the Alfred Dunhill Championship at Leopard Creek.

Local favorite Ernie Els said the change was "great news" and joked, "Heatwave for my European friends."

The new season starts just four days after the Spanish Jon Rahm won the Race to Dubai title by winning the final of the Tour Championship.

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