Astin Arthur produced an almost perfect final six holes in the first round of the GolfRSA International Amateur Championship played on the Royal Johannesburg East Course as he carded a seven-under-par 65 to take the 18-hole lead.
Arthur, who turned 21 on 15th January, took on the intimidating championship layout rated one of the toughest tests in the country with the aplomb of a seasoned veteran, and racked up five birdies on his way in from the 13th hole.
He’s been South Africa’s No1 since April last year, and his back nine of six-under 30 put him well clear of his pursuers to underline that status. Teammate Jordan Burnand and Frenchman Octave Bailo shared second three strokes back on five-under-par.
The Mount Edgecombe golfer is fairly familiar with the Royal Johannesburg East Course and used that knowledge to his advantage. “I’ve played it a few times, but my coach knows it well, and I’ve been able to work out lines to use, where to miss, and all of that sort of thing,” he said. “It’s a challenging course, but because I was driving it well, and the fairways are not so hard after the rain, I was able to take advantage of that.”
Together with Burnand, Dian Kruger and Ivan Verster (whose two-over 74 did not count for the first round), Team South Africa pulled comfortably clear of their Team South Africa Junior counterparts which included Bryan Newman and new caps Johndre Ludick, Dewan de Bruin and Roelof Craig.
The GolfRSA President Team were third. followed by Team Scotland and Team Reunion.
In the women’s team contest, Team South Africa with Coetzer, Kesha Louw and Zane Kleyhans, whose score of nine-over 81 didn’t count for the first round, were in the lead at level-par after Louw carded a two-over 74.
They were one clear of Reunion, while the GolfRSA President Team of Odette Booysen, Kamaya Moodliar and Phenyo Sebata was on 10-under in third place.