JC Ritchie opened with a bogey-free seven-under-par 65 to lead the first round of the Sunshine Tour’s season-ending DNi Tour Championship presented by RMB at Blair Atholl Golf and Equestrian Estate on Thursday, but with the in-form Daniel van Tonder just one shot behind him.
Ritchie gave himself a great start to his round with birdies at the first and second holes.
“I’ve been hitting the golf ball very well the last couple of weeks and it’s always nice to get off to a good start birdieing the first two holes,” he said.
— Sunshine Tour (@Sunshine_Tour) March 27, 2025
Behind him, Van Tonder was also bogey-free in his opening 66 as he seeks to close out a remarkable season in which he’s already won four titles and is currently top of the Sunshine Tour Order of Merit delivered by The Courier Guy.
The current Order of Merit delivered by @TheCourierGuy_ leader @DanieVanTonder_ is on the hunt again after carding an opening round 66. 🔥#DNiTourChamps #CourierGuyPlayOffSeries pic.twitter.com/71EnalZ8SV
— Sunshine Tour (@Sunshine_Tour) March 27, 2025
George Coetzee, the winner of last week’s Serengeti Playoffs, and Jacques Blaauw came through the opening day in joint third place on five under par.
But it was a good start for Ritchie, who felt he finally received the reward for the golf he feels he’s been playing this season.
“I’ve been playing really well and the game is feeling good. I’ve just been waiting for it to fall into place. Hopefully this is the week. I’ve been needing and wanting to get back into the winning circle again, but I am not too worried about it.”
Ritchie was impressed with the fact that he didn’t make a single bogey on the demanding Blair Atholl Golf and Equestrian Estate course.
“It’s always a nice treat to not make any bogeys. I hit a lot of fairways and greens, so that helps to keep the bogeys off the card as well.”
How things stand after the first 18 holes played at Blair Atholl Equestrian and Golf Estate. 📊#DNiTourChamps #CourierGuyPlayOffSeries pic.twitter.com/SoOR4TAFcV
— Sunshine Tour (@Sunshine_Tour) March 27, 2025
SCORES
65 - JC Ritchie
66 - Daniel van Tonder
67 - George Coetzee, Jacques Blaauw
68 - Martin Rohwer, Lyle Rowe, Ricky Hendler, Jacques Kruyswijk
69 - JJ Senekal, Trevor Fisher Jnr, Michael Hollick, Luke Brown, Jonathan Broomhead, Dylan Naidoo
70 - Jason Roets, Darren Fichardt, Altin van der Merwe, Malcolm Mitchell, Jovan Rebula, Keenan Davidse
71 - Neil Schietekat, Jean-Paul Strydom, Gerhard Pepler, Martin Vorster, Jean Hugo
72 - Rhys West, Herman Loubser, Fredrik From, MJ Viljoen, Pieter Moolman
73 - Wynand Dingle, Stefan Wears-Taylor, Jaco Ahlers
74 - Freddy Schott, Jacques P de Villiers, CJ du Plessis, Hennie O'Kennedy, Christiaan Burke, Yurav Premlall
75 - Jaco Van Zyl, Luke Jerling, Heinrich Bruiners, Kyle De Beer, Nikhil Rama
76 - Rupert Kaminski, Kyle Barker