Sunshine Tour rookie Travis Procter and the experienced Nikhil Rama share the lead after the first round of the inaugural Rwanda Open following their opening rounds of nine-under-par 63 at the Kigali Golf Resort & Villas on Thursday.
They are one shot clear of Graham van der Merwe who dropped only one shot in his opening round of 64.
Procter made good use of an early start and rolled in seven birdies in nine holes from the fourth through to the 12th hole.
“It’s just one of those rounds where everything kind of worked. I got off to a slowish start and then I made a couple of putts that carried on the momentum. I told my girlfriend that I wasn’t going to slow down – I just wanted to keep firing. It’s her first time on the bag and it’s a lot of fun. We are having a good time,” Procter said.
He bogeyed the par-three 13th hole but then closed with three birdies over the last four holes that included a chip-in three on the par-four 18th hole.
“The chip-in on the last hole is always nice. All in all I am very happy with the day,” a delighted Procter said.
Rama has been knocking on the door for a maiden Sunshine Tour title for a while now. With four top-10 finishes so far this season that includes being runner up at the Sunbet Challenge Wild Coast tournament in August, he is once again in the running for a title.
After making par on the opening hole, Rama started a run of five birdies in a row and later rolled in four more birdies in a bogey-free round.
Altin van der Merwe, Jason Roets, Ryan van der Kils and Jaden Deltel are all well-placed on seven under par.
SCORES
63 - Travis Procter
63 - Nikhil Rama
64 - Graham van der Merwe
65 - Altin van der Merwe
65 - Jason Roets, Ryan van der Klis, Jaden Deltel
66 - Jordan Burnand
66 - Daniel Cronje, Ricky Hendler, Kyle De Beer, Estiaan Conradie
67 - Max Orgovanyi
67 - Rupert Kaminski, Tristen Strydom, Cole Stevens, Allen John, Benjamin Kedochim, Thomas Spreadborough
68 - Greg Snow
68 - Adel Balala, Tyran Snyders, Toto Thimba Jnr, Ruan Korb, Luke Jerling, Jacques Blaauw, Pierre Viallaneix, Celestin Nsanzuwera, Ronald Rugumayo, Jacques P de Villiers, Stals Swart, Rowan Lester, James Mack, Travis Ladner
69 - Gaita Tadeo Rodell
69 - Charl Barnard, Pierre Pellegrin, Dillon Germshuys, Joe Sullivan, Karabo Mokoena, Jean-Paul Strydom, Kyle Barker, Robson Chinhoi, Hennie O'Kennedy, Jastas Madoya Asena, Oliver Goldhill, Conner Mackenzie, Keegan Mclachlan, Jean Hitayezu D'amour, Jean Baptiste Hakizimana
70 - Lyle Rowe
70 - Austin Bautista, Daniel Nduva, Gift Willy, Shaunak Rama, Wynand Dingle, Warwick Purchase, Neil Schietekat, Dismas Indiza, Rigardt Albertse
71 - Kasango Grace
71 - Godwin Okoko, Ethan Smith, Quintin Wilsnach, Tristan Leonard, Kian Rose, Martin Leon, Dusabe Felix, Willy Deus Kitata, Callum Bruce, Abraham Ainamani
72 - Paul Adam Chidale
72 - Taimur Malik, Dayne Moore, Njoroge Kibugu, Keenan Davidse, Morris Schiefner, Keanu Pestana, Adam Breen, Phillip Kasozi, Carter Rowe, Ernest Ndayisenga, Vuyisani Makama, Dylan Mostert, Simon du Plooy, Liam Grehan, Otto Van Buynder
73 - Astin Arthur
73 - Jacques Byiringiro, David Kamulindwa, Andrew Odoh, Nuru Mollel, Marvin Kibirige
74 - Otile Ronald
74 - Keagan Thomas, David Wakhu, Abbey Bagalana, Bagalana Hussein, Matt Millar, Dennis Saikwa
75 - Emile Nshimyumuremyi
75 - Niyonkuru Alain, Dennis Anguyo
76 - Nsabimana Aloys
77 - Jules Dusabe
77 - Maniraguha Adam, Kato Davis, Bradley Kulaisi
78 - Mutahi Kibugu
78 - Olivier Munyaneza
79 - Francois Habimana
86 - Nelson Mudanyi