American Zack Byrd and Oliver Bekker emerged lowest scorers after the first round of the Lombard Insurance Classic, as they both shot nine-under-par 63s to share the lead at Royal Swazi Spa Country Club on Friday.
The American had a solid start to this event as he made five birdies on a flawless front nine and then followed that up with an even stronger homeward stretch. Successive bogeys on 10 and 11 threatened to spoil the rookie’s day, but a masterful recovery saw him card four more birdies and eagle on the par-five 17 on his way home.
‘Last week (Investec Royal Swazi Open) I hit it phenomenal, but I didn’t really putt great. I just hit it close a lot,’ he said. ‘But today I didn’t really hit it that good, but I putted the best I have putted in a year, so it was good to get off to a good start today.’
Bekker won’t be too disappointed with his bogey on 14, because the 10 birdies on his card on the first day of this 54-hole event have given him share of the lead. And, coming from a week off where he didn’t play any golf, Bekker knows how big a deal this lead is.
‘I just came from a week off and I really didn’t have many expectations. I just came here to enjoy it,’ he said, ‘but, I scrambled really well. I made some really nice putts. I think I had 23 putts. The greens here are a lot firmer, a lot faster (compared to two weeks ago).’
He says it’s down to him being easy on himself and just enjoying the game. ‘I think my mind-set has changed a bit towards golf. Not that I’m not taking it seriously, but I’m not being hard on myself as I was in the past,’ he said.
Tied in third spot are JJ Senekal and Doug McGuigan at seven-under 65. Senekal made one bogey and eight birdies to keep the momentum with what’s been a solid start for him to the new season.
Occupying fifth position after the first round are Chilean Antonio Costa, Heinrich Bruiners, Justin Harding, Christiaan Basson, Lyle Rowe, Jean Hugo and Theunis Spangenberg, who are all on six-under 66.
The Royal Swazi layout seems to allow for some low scoring this week and the next two rounds will be interesting to watch.
FIRST ROUND SCORES
63 – Zack Byrd, Oliver Bekker
65 – JJ Senekal, Doug McGuigan
66 – Antonio Costa, Heinrich Bruiners, Justin Harding, Christiaan Basson, Lyle Rowe, Jean Hugo, Theunis Spangenberg
67 – Chris Swanepoel, Michael Palmer, Stefan Engell Andersen, Vaughn Groenewald
68 – Matias Calderon, Luke Jerling, Andrew Georgiou, Neil Schietekat, Jason Viljoen, Andre de Decker, Ulrich van den Berg, Mark Williams, Mark Murless
69 – Coert Groenewald, Colin Nel, Jake Roos, Wallie Coetsee, Keenan Davidse, Jared Harvey, Danie van Tonder, Martin Rohwer, Martin Rominger, Matthew Carvell
70 – Aubrey Beckley, Francois Coetzee, Andrew Curlewis, Titch Moore, Makhetha Mazibuko, Anthony Michael, Peter Karmis, Louis de Jager, Hennie du Plessis, Breyten Meyer
71 – PH McIntyre, Grant Muller, Ockie Strydom, Jean-Paul Strydom, Teaghan Gauche, Allan Versfeld, Desne Van Den Bergh, Stephen Ferreira, Callum Mowat, Ruan de Smidt, Charl Coetzee
72 – N.J. Arnoldi, Gert Myburgh, Jason Froneman, Alex Haindl, Merrick Bremner, Bradford Vaughan, Steven Ferreira, Rhys West, Toto Thimba, Combrinck Smit
73 – Meshack Zwane, Ryan Tipping, Adilson Da Silva, Jake Redman, MJ Viljoen
74 – Altaaf Bux, Tyrone Ferreira, Herman Loubser, Ryan Cairns, Omar Sandys, Michael Hollick, Jaco Prinsloo, CJ du Plessis
76 – Gerard du Plooy, Lindani Ndwandwe, Jacques Kruyswijk
77 – Greg Bentley, Stuart Smith
78 – Tyrone Ryan