Last weekend’s winner at the Limpopo Championship, JC Ritchie, has hit the ground running at this week’s RAM Cape Town Open following an opening-round 68, writes ANDRE HUISAMEN at Royal Cape Golf Club.
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The majority of the field struggled at the Royal Cape Golf Club during the morning play due to strong, gusting winds.
Ritchie was one of a few who capitalised despite the conditions down the road at the King David Mowbray Golf Club. He signed for a 68, which helped him share the clubhouse lead on four under par.
Most of the early pacesetters were out at King David Mowbray with only a few of the visiting European players looking comfortable at Royal Cape. With the morning field done, it was Neil Schietekat and JP Strydom leading the way as the highest-placed South African at Royal Cape after opening efforts of 71.
Ritchie has been in excellent form of late and his 68 included eight birdies, two bogeys and a double-bogey to join Frenchman Damien Perrier at the top.
While the old saying goes, ‘You cannot win the Championship on Thursday but you can lose it’, it was Ritchie who got off to a solid start chasing another Challenge Tour title. A good result here will strengthen his grip on the Sunshine Tour Order of Merit race, too.
As for those down the leaderboard, the bad news is the strong wind isn’t predicted to disappear tomorrow and into the weekend. Those who fared well at Royal Cape on Thursday may have the advantage if they can cash in at King David Mowbray in round two.
Photo: Shaun Roy/Sunshine Tour/Gallo Images
