Andre de Decker was the first to secure his spot in this week’s Tshwane Open when he carded a 66 qualifying round played at Irene Country Club on Tuesday.
De Decker opened his round with consecutive pars on the 1st and 2nd holes before an unwanted bogey found its way into his scorecard on the third. He steadied himself to make par on the 4th, which was followed by a welcomed birdie to cancel that dropped shot on the 3rd.
Two holes later, De Decker made two more birdies to turn in 34. Two more birdies after the turn made it four birdies on the trot for the 28-year-old Westlake Golf Club professional. He went on to make pars from the 12th right through to the 16th before he bookended the back nine with another pair of birdies to sign for six under.
American Zack Byrd, England’s Chris Cannon, Matthew Carvell, veteran James Kingston and member of the Gary Player Class of 2017-18 Lindani Ndwandwe all shared the second spot on a score of five under par to book themselves spots at the last event co-sanctioned with the European Tour this season on the Sunshine Tour.
Cannon was flawless in his round while Carvell could have easily taken the first spot following his birdie-laden display – he made seven birdies on the day. Carvell was let down by the shots he dropped on the 2nd and 12th holes, but he will be left satisfied knowing he will be on the tee come Thursday.
Australia’s Damon Stephenson, Callum Mowat, CJ du Plessis and Eye of Africa PGA runner-up Combrinck Smit make up the top 10 who have earned their way into the event after posting rounds of four-under 68 at Irene Country Club.
Credit: Sunshine Tour
