A fresh outlook on his game earned Jacques Blaauw the lead in Thursday’s opening round of the Limpopo Championship.
Blaauw signed for a six-under-par 66 to lead by one shot over Cole Stevens in a tournament he finished runner-up at in 2024.
“This is a tournament I like. I really enjoy the challenging course, and I’m looking forward to the next couple of days,” said Blaauw.
Blaauw was able to keep the bogeys off his scorecard on day one. But more than this, it was his ability to bring a new focus to his game that gave him the real edge.
“A bogey-free opening round around this course is always a nice one to have. I’m very happy with my game, swung the clubs well and was in control of the golf ball. I also putted very well. I didn’t make any mistakes so I am very happy with how I played.
“But I also made a little promise to myself that I’m not going get in my own way this week. Mentally, I need to get stronger in that aspect, so it will be a shot at a time and a swing at a time, and thinking where and what I want to do, then executing it. I’ve second-guessed myself way too many times and I think that got me in the past. So this week it’s kind of a new outlook, and so far so good,” Blaauw said.
A new outlook from the experienced Blaauw has also brought with it new challengers in the likes of Stevens just one shot behind him, and who has risen to third on the Fortress Rookie of the Year standings. And German rookie Morris Schiefner is also well-placed following his opening 68.
“It’s still a long way to go,” said Blaauw.
“On day one you can play yourself out of a tournament, but you can also never win a tournament on day one. I have placed myself in a good position and obviously want to build on it.”
SCORES
66 - Jacques Blaauw
67 - Cole Stevens
68 - Tyran Snyders
68 - Morris Schiefner
69 - Stuart Krog
69 - Oliver Goldhill, Benjamin Van Wyk, Estiaan Conradie, Stefan Jacobs, Luke Brown
70 - Carter Rowe
70 - Kyle Barker, Keenan Davidse, Charl Barnard, Stals Swart, Xander Basson, Jbe Kruger, Rowan Lester
71 - Agustin Errazuriz
71 - Benjamin Kedochim, Tristen Strydom, Malcolm Mitchell, JJ Senekal, Quintin Wilsnach, Jason Roets, Kian Rose, Gerhard Pepler, Pierre Viallaneix
72 - Eric Wowor
72 - Rigardt Albertse, Ruan Korb, Jacques Kruyswijk, Allen John, Stefan Wears-Taylor, Vuyisani Makama, Jordan Burnand, Pierre Pellegrin, Tafadzwa Nyamukondiwa, Ethan Smith, Graham van der Merwe, Karabo Mokoena, George Coetzee, Jonathan Broomhead, Lyle Pedro, Jastice Mashego, Franklin Manchest, James Mack, Liam Grehan
73 - Martin Leon
73 - Jacques P de Villiers, Trevor Fisher Jnr, Nikhil Rama, Anthony Michael, Lyle Rowe, Nyasha Muyambo, Travis Ladner, Joe Sullivan, Neil Schietekat, Kyle De Beer, Toto Thimba Jnr, Conner Mackenzie, Brandon Pieters, Tumelo Molloyi
74 - Alphius Kelapile
74 - Stephen Ferreira, Albert Venter, Jaden Deltel, Warwick Purchase, Altin van der Merwe, Wandre Snyman, Luke Jerling, Simon du Plooy, Keegan Mclachlan, Matthew Spacey, Otto Van Buynder, Thomas Spreadborough, Ruan de Smidt, Keanu Pestana, Khanya Mkhize
75 - Amicus De Beer
75 - Ricky Hendler, Judd Sundelson, Lwazi Gqira, Keagan Thomas, Wynand Dingle, Tristan Leonard, Hayden Griffiths, Njoroge Kibugu, Shaunak Rama
76 - Shaydon Johnson
76 - Hennie O'Kennedy, Rhys West, Musiwalo Nethunzwi, Thabiso Ngcobo, Rupert Kaminski, Tyrone Ryan, Travis Procter, Callum Bruce
77 - Mitch Phigeland
77 - Keelan Africa, Dillon Germshuys, Martin Rohwer, Khaya Jika, Matt Millar, Jean-Paul Strydom
78 - Jacques Van der Merwe
78 - Jaco Van Zyl, Steven Le Roux, Liam van Deventer
79 - Dylan Mostert
80 - Kian Coetzer
80 - Dian Kruger
82 - Umar Davids
82 - Ryan van der Klis
86 - Mpho Makhado