Multiple Sunshine Tour champion, Benjamin Follett-Smith from Zimbabwe, and his namesake from South Africa, Benjamin Van Wyk, both opened with 65s during Thursday’s first round of the Fortress Invitational at Glendower Golf Club to share the lead on seven under par.
Follett-Smith’s round included two eagles and four birdies, with one unfortunate drop on the par-four 18th hole.
Van Wyk’s round was highlighted by eight birdies and only one drop on the par-four seventh hole.
“I was hitting the ball very well from tee to green and I capitalised with my putting which was very good. I kept the momentum going, especially when I missed the green,” said Van Wyk.
Van Wyk has been working on improving his game between tournaments, and the effort has been rewarded with two recent top-10 finishes.
“I am feeling very good about my game. I have been working on my swing so it’s good to see some consistency where I can just rely on my putting,” Van Wyk added.
One shot back is a four-way share of second place on six under par with Martin Voster, Tyran Snyders, Daniel van Tonder and Warwick Purchase all scoring 66 for their first round.
SCORES
65 - Benjamin Follett-Smith, Benjamin Van Wyk
66 - Martin Vorster, Tyran Snyders, Daniel van Tonder, Warwick Purchase
67 - Jason Roets, Louis Albertse, Luke Jerling, Deon Germishuys, Matthew Spacey
68 - CJ du Plessis, Justin Walters, Kyle McClatchie, Jonathan Broomhead, Christiaan Burke, Pieter Moolman, Jaco Prinsloo, Stals Swart, Hennie Otto, Tyrone Ryan
69 - Tumelo Molloyi, Luke Brown, Rhys Enoch, Lyle Rowe, Keegan Mclachlan, Jordan Burnand, Albert Venter, James Mack, Kyle Barker, Heinrich Bruiners, Kyle De Beer, Kieron van Wyk, Mikkel Antonsen
70 - Joe Long, Gerhard Pepler, Pierre Viallaneix, Gregory Mckay, Quintin Wilsnach, Otto Van Buynder, JJ Senekal, Neil Schietekat, Slade Pickering, Thomas Spreadborough
71 - Altin van der Merwe, Toto Thimba Jnr, Stuart Krog, Tristin Galant, Ethan Smith, Wynand Dingle, Ricky Hendler, Rowan Lester, Hayden Griffiths, Malcolm Mitchell, Michael Hollick, Allen John, Trevor Fisher Jnr, Nikhil Rama, Ruan Korb, Stephen Ferreira, Jacquin Hess, Keagan Thomas, Karabo Mokoena, Franklin Manchest
72 - Luke Mayo, Jean-Paul Strydom, Anthony Michael, Tristen Strydom, Werner Deyzel, Leon Vorster, Jacques P de Villiers, Keelan van Wyk, Graham van der Merwe, Rhys West, Keenan Davidse, Luis Carrera, Dylan Mostert, Rupert Kaminski, Ulrich van den Berg, Ryan van der Klis
73 - Simon du Plooy, Musiwalo Nethunzwi, Peter Karmis, Rourke van der Spuy, Dylan Frittelli, Herman Loubser, Kian Rose, Estiaan Conradie, Xander Basson, MJ Viljoen, Haydn Porteous, Danie Van Niekerk, Siyanda Mwandla, Christian Kriek, Ross Wellington
74 - Liam Grehan, George Coetzee, Luca Filippi, Conner Mackenzie, Ruan de Smidt, Joe Knox, Nick Cunningham, Zachary Chegwidden, Jacques Blaauw, Samuel Simpson, Yurav Premlall, Ronald Rugumayo, Tafadzwa Nyamukondiwa
75 - Harry Konig, Mark Maart, Jastice Mashego, Trevor Mahoney, Thabiso Ngcobo, Keelan Africa, Christiaan Basson, Robson Chinhoi, Keanu Pestana, Slenda Sithebe
76 - Hennie O'Kennedy, Jack Hawksby, Kayle Wykes, Jason Broomhead, Makhetha Mazibuko, Jean Hugo
77 - Khanya Mkhize, Shaunak Rama, Paul Boshoff, Ruan Conradie, Brandon Meads
78 - James Pennington, Marcel Steyn Scholtz, Mandla Dlamini Jnr, Nyasha Muyambo, Tomas Gana, Marcus Sandile Taylor, Callum Mowat
79 - Tyron Davidowitz, Eric Wowor
80 - Umar Davids, Allister de Kock
81 - Ruan Groenewald, Merrick Bremner, Sentanio Minnie
83 - Jordan Duminy, Jake Redman
85 - Thanda Mavundla