Toto Thimba Jnr shot a low six-under 65 in the opening round of the third Betway Big Easy Tour event of the season, taking a single stroke lead in this 54-hole tournament at The Wanderers Golf Club on Tuesday.
Thimba’s near-perfect 65 consisted of seven birdies and a solitary bogey.
“A productive day in the office,” said a satisfied Thimba Jnr after his round. “I hit the ball really well and I putted well, too. I made a silly drop on eight but I am pretty pleased with how I played today.
"It’s good to see myself playing well again. Obviosuly, I have to compete with these youngsters and it’s not easy out there. The guys can play here and you always have to be at your best. I am happy I was able to play well too.”
Trailing by a single shot after respective rounds of 66 is the duo of Makhetha Mazibuko and England’s Matt Millar. Like Thimba Jnr’s round, Mazibuko’s card also consisted of a solitary bogey which accompanied six birdies, while Millar had seven birdies and two bogeys.
“I felt like I pplayed well today,” said Mazibuko. “I missed some but I think I made a couple of good putts and a few solid up-and-downs, so I am happy with my first round.”
Liam Grehan, amateur Minjun Heo, Richard Kruger, Adam Breen, Jastice Mashego and Matthew Bennett are all tied for fourth after they all carded rounds of 67 in the first round here at the historic Wanderers.
“It was the first round and I didn’t want to attack,” said the 17-year-old Heo. “The aim was to try and make some putts and try to save some pars; play par golf. If some putts go in, it’s a bonus.
“I feel like anyone can score well on this course. But you can either shoot really well or the course can beat you up a bit.”
The Betway Big Easy Tour is the Sunshine Tour’s feeder circuit and enjoys the support of the legendary Ernie Els, among other patrons.
Scores
65 - Toto Thimba Jnr
66 - Makhetha Mazibuko
66 - Matt Millar
67 - Liam Grehan
67 - Minjun Heo, Richard Kruger, Adam Breen, Matthew Bennett, Jastice Mashego
68 - Ruan de Smidt
68 - Daniel Cronje, Jacques Van der Merwe, Francois van Staden, Haydn Driver, Nick Beart, Kayle Wykes
69 - Luke Truter
69 - Carter Rowe, LB Boshoff, Jason Broomhead, Corey Sheppard, Jake Bolton, Sean Cronje
70 - Jaden Deltel
70 - Michael Wallace, Ulrich van den Berg, Travis Procter, Brandon Pieters, Heinrich Bruiners, Ruan Groenewald, Daniel Smith, Max Nicholls, Callum Mowat, Tomas Gana, Ruben Van Der Berg, Ethan Gough, Brandon Gildenhuys, Hannes Strooh, Daniel Palmquist
71 - Tumelo Molloyi
71 - Jonathan Wilsenach, Leon Visser, Max Orgovanyi, Louis Liebenberg, Lyle Pedro, Allister de Kock, Steven Le Roux
72 - Austin Cherichella
72 - Thabiso Ngcobo, Kian Rose, Kian Coetzer, Merrick Bremner, Wandre Snyman, Franklin Manchest, Ethan Govender, Mitch Phigeland, Shaunak Rama, Otto Van Buynder, John Lejirma, Drikus Joubert, Sean Paxton
73 - Christopher Bagnall
73 - Alphius Kelapile, Mandla Dlamini Jnr, James Truter, Shaydon Johnson, Jonathan Ackerman, Jordan Wessels, Carlos Bustos, Christian Kriek, Jean-Pierre Van der Watt, Roelof Craig, Vuyisani Makama, Keegan Mclachlan
74 - Mark Maart
74 - Zachary Chegwidden, Slade Pickering, Marcel Steyn Scholtz, Keelan Africa, Jayden Hoskins, Musiwalo Nethunzwi, Philip Geerts, Simon du Plooy, Sean Howell, Brandon-Jude Rennie, Leonard Swart
75 - Wiehan Van der Walt
75 - Shaheed Patel, Andrew Williamson, Sentanio Minnie, Joe Knox, Noel Anderson, Thanda Mavundla, Lwazi Gqira, Logan Leisher, Vaughn van Deventer, Jacquin Hess, Travis Ladner, Amilkar Bhana, Khaya Jika, Keegan Du Plessis
76 - Sergio Arries
76 - Umar Davids, Thabang Simon, Werner Deyzel, Kyle Kistensamy
77 - Kael Strydom
77 - Carl Mwale, Matthew Dennis, Eric Wowor
78 - Kass Muller
78 - Dillon Germshuys, Teboho Sefatsa
79 - Khanya Mkhize
79 - Matthew Mortimer, Michael Karanga
80 - M-Jay Xaba
80 - CJ Wangai
81 - Omar Sandys
RTD - Yusuf Dadoo