It’s two Springboks chasing an All Black as Branden Grace and Justin Walters led the South African problem after the first spherical of the Nedbank Golf Challenge at the Gary Player Country Club on Thursday, and with New Zealand’s Ryan Fox high of the leaderboard.
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Fox is the son of All Blacks legend Grant Fox.
Grace, the final South African winner of this match in 2017, and Walters opened with rounds of two-under-par 70.
At the high of the leaderboard, Fox signed for a chic eight-under-par 64 to steer the area by one stroke.
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His nearest challenger is European Ryder Cup captain Luke Donald, who final performed right here in 2014 and rediscovered his kind with a 65.
Luke Donald stunned by Nedbank Golf Challenge efficiency
Grace was delighted to be contending after a troublesome begin on the entrance 9 the place he was two over by means of the first three holes.
“I don’t know what it is with that front nine. I’m always a little on the back foot and then I get things together. But it’s nice to be here and I’m honoured to be back,” stated Grace.
But it was Fox who set the goal on day one together with his 64 that noticed him drop just one shot on a golf course which he stated has by no means handled him effectively earlier than this.
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“It feels a bit bizarre to have finished that right now. I had numerous good numbers, managed to get the yardages proper and I putted actually properly. It nonetheless feels a bit unusual to be trustworthy. This golf course has kicked me in the butt a number of occasions, so possibly it was good right now and can chew me tomorrow.
“I couldn’t have wished for a better start. I figure if you can get to double digits under par around here for the most part you’re going to be pretty close come Sunday. To be most of the way there after the first round is pretty nice.”
Donald was simply as stunned by his efficiency.
“A little bit unexpected to be honest. I wasn’t showing much form coming into this week. I kept it in play well off the tee and my iron play was really good. I think I hit 15 greens today and around this course, that is very pleasing. It’s tricky with the altitude and the wind swirls a bit here, I got the distances right all day, gave myself a lot of good looks and made a couple pf putts, especially on the back nine.”
Italy’s Guido Migliozzi is effectively positioned on five-under par.
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