Darren Fichardt, Branden Grace and Thomas Aiken were among the late starters to shine during round one of the Omega Dubai Desert Classic on Thursday.
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While no player entertained or grabbed the headlines more than Jamie Donaldson, who settled for an opening 62 after being on ’59 watch’ with two holes to play, it was nevertheless positive stuff from the South Africans.
Fichardt in particular was impressive at the Emirates Course as he began his round with five straight birdies. He made the turn in 29 after his sixth birdie of the day at the seventh but dropped back suddenly with a double at the 12th which undid his latest gain at the 11th.
Fichardt’s round settled down somewhat as he made a string of pars before a birdie at the 17th got him to -6 which was good enough to tie Haydn Porteous in T10 as the leading South African.
One behind Fichardt is Thomas Aiken, who failed to match his countryman’s brilliant start as he made par on the fifth to end his run of four birdies in a row to start.
At -4 is Branden Grace, who is looking to build on his good run which is yet to yield the follow up win after his triumph at Sun City in November. Grace went out in -2 and got to -5 for his round before a bogey on his penultimate hole spoilt his day.
There is a trio of South Africans on three under par through 18 which is good enough only for T42. Those three are Louis Oosthuizen, Dylan Frittelli and Trevor Immelman.
Oosthuizen began his day with a run that saw him go bogey, birdie and eagle before quietening down. He finished with two birdies in a row to join former Masters champion Immelman in the clubhouse on 69. Immelman will be looking for an improved second round performance after last week where he started well but missed the cut due to an indifferent Friday run.
Frittelli, now ranked 51st in the world, is alongside the Major champions after a Thursday which included three birdies, an eagle and two late bogeys.
