On the same day the new Hyundai VENUE was launched in South Africa, the Sunshine Tour’s professionals revved the scoring deep into the red in the first round of the Hyundai Open at the Ebotse Links on Thursday.
For the second week in succession a first round of 63 led the field – this time from Chile’s Gabriel Morgan.
On a sweltering day at the Ebotse Links, Morgan kept his cool as he signed for a bogey-free nine under par which puts him one shot clear of Estiaan Conradie.
🔥What an incredible opening round from Gabriel Morgan. He fires a superb 63 (-9) to take the lead heading into Round 2 of the #HyundaiOpen👏🔥 #GreatnessBeginsHere #SunshineTour https://t.co/7KShhCeur9
— Sunshine Tour (@Sunshine_Tour) November 12, 2026
Ruan de Smidt threw in a hole-in-one on the 15th to win 100 000 Skybucks courtesy of Airlink and also join the Airlink Aces shootout at the end of the season.
Congratulations once again to Ruan de Smidt.👏⛳️🔥 The Hyundai Open Round 1 Hole-in-one Hole 15 151m 9 iron #HyundaiOpen #GreatnessBeginsHere #SunshineTour https://t.co/pJUCR42WWC
— Sunshine Tour (@Sunshine_Tour) November 12, 2026
Morgan, playing in his rookie season on the Sunshine Tour, is part of a strong contingent of Chilean golfers on the Tour this season and is currently 10th on the Fortress Rookie of the Year standings.
He matched the recent intensity of the low scoring on the Tour as he birdied his opening hole of the round, the par-four 10th, and added a further six birdies and an eagle – including a run of five birdies in seven holes on his back nine.
Behind him, Conradie was equally impressive with his bogey-free round of 64.
“It was hot out there, and the wind also died down later towards the afternoon,” said Conradie.
“I’m very happy with a bogey-free to start. You don’t get a lot of those rounds. There were birdies out there so I’m happy I could make some puts. The greens are getting a bit baked out now because of the heatwave, so they are getting a bit tricky.”
Conradie has been in top form this season with finishes if fifth, second and fourth coming into this event.
“I’ve been close a few times this season, so for the rest of the week it will be more of the same – keep the ball in play and just keep giving myself chances for birdies. I don’t want to overdo it or overthink it. I just want to keep knocking on the door and eventually it will open,” he said.
In joint third place, Adam Breen enjoyed a solid start with his 65. Breen has worked his way back to the Sunshine Tour after losing his card.
“I lost my card at the end of the 2024/25 season, so I played on the Big Easy Tour last year after three years on the Sunshine Tour. It’s nice to be back. It was very nice to start a tournament with a low one,” Breen said.
🎙️Hear from co-leader Adam Breen as he reflects on his opening round and looks ahead to Round 2 of the #HyundaiOpen tomorrow.⛳️🔥 #GreatnessBeginsHere #SunshineTour https://t.co/QbxqHFfJJB
— Sunshine Tour (@Sunshine_Tour) November 12, 2026
How things stand after the first round of the #HyundaiOpen played at Ebotse Links.📊 #GreatnessBeginsHere #SunshineTour https://t.co/ZOM18cGDWI
— Sunshine Tour (@Sunshine_Tour) November 12, 2026
Gabriel Morgam (Archive image by Shaun Roy/Sunshine Tour)