Bogey-free 63 takes Pickering to the top at Akasia

Slade Pickering will take a four-shot lead into the second round of the fourth Betway Big Easy Tour tournament on Wednesday, thanks to a blemish-free 63 on day one at Akasia Golf Club.

The Peacanwood Golf Estate player started his round in the afternoon and from the 10th tee where he made a birdie to kick things off. He followed that up with another before making pars on 12 and 13, his third and fourth holes of the day. Another brace of birdies – this time on the par-five 14th and 15th holes – followed and Pickering made another on 17 to turn in 32 and without blemishes.

“It was a really nice round,” said Pickering. “After the work I have been putting in, it is nice to see something paying off.”

After the turn, Pickering found more joy as he birdied his 12th – the par-four third hole here. In yet another exhibition of skill, patience and persistence, Pickering made three birdies on the trot to get it to nine-under before sealing his round with back-to-back pars to rubber-stamp what was a dominant round of golf.

“I had two chip-ins today, which was nice, especially in difficult spots,” he added. “It was really a solid play from tee to green. It was one of those days where all the cylinders fired and you just take it from there and keep firing. I’m definitely going to braai tonight.”

Four shots adrift and with a solid display of his own, Paul Boshoff’s five-under 67 saw him take the second spot on the leaderboard. Four birdies, an eagle and a solitary bogey defined his opening round in the capital.

“I think it was just solid,” said Boshoff of his first round. “I started with a chip-in on the fourth hole and I played the par-fives really well. I didn’t make many mistakes and it was a pretty solid round, I would say. Now. I’m going to celebrate my mother’s birthday.”

The Betway Big Easy Tour is the Sunshine Tour’s development circuit where the top 12 on the Order of Merit will earn privileges to compete on the main Tour.