Jonathan Broomhead is making a strong defence of his title in a stellar field after opening with a 65 to share the first-round lead in the Sunbet Challenge Time Square Casino at Wingate Park Country Club on Wednesday.
Broomhead’s opening round of seven under par sees him share the lead with countrymen Shaun Norris and Daniel Cronje, and Chile’s Gabriel Morgan.
DP World Tour champion Michael Hollick is just one shot off the lead, with fellow DP World Tour champions Thriston Lawrence and George Coetzee two and three shots off the pace respectively.
Broomhead’s opening round included six birdies and an eagle, with only one dropped shot.
“It was a decent round today. I hit the ball really well and made some nice putts. The scores are out there. The eagle on the second hole was nice. I hit a good drive, followed by a nine-iron that landed in the middle of the green. I rolled in a 45-footer for eagle. I was a bit lucky with the long putt but you take them when they come,” Broomhead said.
“It’s nice to come back and put a score on the board” - defending champion, Jonathan Broomhead said after shooting an opening 65 in the Sunbet Challenge Hosted By Time Square Casino.#sunbetchallenge #sunbetchallengetimesquare #greatnessbeginshere pic.twitter.com/RxmhOaUdfP
— Sunshine Tour (@Sunshine_Tour) August 5, 2026
Broomhead acknowledged the importance of a good start in this 54-hole tournament, and with the aim of defending his title.
“Defending a title is really nice. You don’t always get the chance to do it. Coming back from Europe, it was really nice to put a good round together and putting me in a good position for the next two rounds. With a three-round tournament, if you get off to a hot start and just keep going you should be good,” Broomhead said.
Broomhead has been working hard on his game since returning from Europe and is happy with the progress he made after the winter break on the Sunshine Tour.
“I’ve been putting in some good work the last few weeks after taking some time off after returning from Europe about six weeks ago. I’ve been working hard and it clearly showed today.”
Round 1 leaderboard 📊#sunbetchallengetimesquare #sunbetchallenge #greatnessbeginshere pic.twitter.com/mLNbhsQo9X
— Sunshine Tour (@Sunshine_Tour) August 5, 2026
SCORES
65 - Shaun Norris, Jonathan Broomhead, Gabriel Morgan, Daniel Cronje
66 - Michael Hollick
66 - Agustin Errazuriz, Travis Procter, Travis Ladner, Kyle De Beer
67 - Xander Basson
67 - Luke Brown, Benjamin Kedochim, Thriston Lawrence, Allen John, Herman Loubser, James Mack, Thomas Spreadborough
68 - George Coetzee
68 - Karabo Mokoena, Tristan Leonard, Callum Bruce, Martin Rohwer, Jbe Kruger, Pierre Viallaneix, Charl Barnard, Ruan de Smidt
69 - Adam Breen
69 - Jason Roets, Warwick Purchase, Christiaan Burke, Luis Carrera, Tristen Strydom, Keagan Thomas, Rhys West, Martin Leon, Rigardt Albertse, Estiaan Conradie, Jaco Van Zyl, Liam Grehan
70 - Dayne Moore
70 - Ruan Korb, Graham van der Merwe, Jaco Ahlers, Cole Stevens, Pieter Moolman, Ockie Strydom, Ricky Hendler, Njoroge Kibugu, Merrick Bremner, Stuart Krog, Rhys Enoch, Toto Thimba Jnr, Wynand Dingle
71 - Ryan van der Klis
71 - Gustavo Silva, Kian Rose, Daniel van Tonder
72 - Oliver Goldhill
72 - Jacques Van der Merwe, Quintin Wilsnach, Dylan Naidoo, Austin Bautista, Gerhard Pepler, Nikhil Rama, Louis de Jager, Kyle Barker, Simon du Plooy, Jean-Paul Strydom, Haydn Porteous, Lyle Rowe, Kieron van Wyk, Tyran Snyders, Rupert Kaminski, Dylan Mostert, Rowan Lester, Franklin Manchest, Carter Rowe, Hayden Griffiths
73 - Morris Schiefner
73 - Anthony Michael, Jordan Burnand, Thabiso Ngcobo, Albert Venter, Zander Lombard, Neil Schietekat, Tomas Gana, Lyle Pedro, Marcus Sandile Taylor, Jaden Deltel, Eric Wowor, Benjamin Van Wyk, Stals Swart, Malcolm Mitchell, Dian Kruger
74 - Matt Millar
74 - Keanu Pestana, Jacquin Hess, Jaco Prinsloo, Keenan Davidse, Carlos Bustos, Musiwalo Nethunzwi, Altin van der Merwe, Trevor Fisher Jnr, Luke Jerling, Ethan Smith, Keegan Mclachlan, Jack Davidson
75 - Darlington Chikayambidze
75 - Conner Mackenzie, Joe Sullivan, Keelan Africa, Makhetha Mazibuko, Jordan Duminy, Astin Arthur, Tyrone Ryan, Jacques P de Villiers, Matthew Spacey
76 - Steven Le Roux
76 - Hennie O'Kennedy
77 - Shaunak Rama
77 - Dillon Germshuys, Jacques Blaauw, Vuyisani Makama, Pierre Pellegrin, Shaydon Johnson
78 - Cosmas Mufaya
78 - Robson Chinhoi, Otto Van Buynder
79 - Tumelo Molloyi
80 - Sentanio Minnie
80 - Brandon Pieters, Mitch Phigeland