The eight strong South African contingent have their work cut out for them if they want to play any part this week at the Made in Denmark 2017.
Jake Roos and Haydn Porteous lead the way after the opening day’s play but their one under par 70s were well off the pace set by afternoon starters Steve Webster and Matt Wallace who joined early clubhouse leader Wade Ormsby at the summit at seven under par.
It was a round of what could’ve been for Porteous, who birdied three of his opening four holes before getting to -5 with an eagle on the seventh. The young South African then made three bogeys in five holes from the ninth but got one shot back with a birdie at the 14th. A closing double bogey undid all the good work of his fast start.
Four South Africans were level after 18 including Zander Lombard, who is the proud new owner of a luxury golf cart after his ace on the 16th at Himmerland Hill Golf & Spa Resort.
Well played @ZanderLombard #MiDgolf pic.twitter.com/eDf7a3l1VV
— Compleat Golfer (@CompleatGolfer) August 24, 2017
Lombard was fortunate to be the first to the feat – the 997th ace in European Tour history – after his 56 degree wedge spun back into the hole because Italian Edoardo Molinari notched up his third tour ace hours later.
A second ace at 16 but the buggy goes to Zander! pic.twitter.com/gq6dzZnAmV
— Compleat Golfer (@CompleatGolfer) August 24, 2017
Joining Lombard on level were Justin Walters, VOG Arabella winner Keither Horne and Jaco Ahlers. All four will need to find more birdies than bogeys on Friday with the cut line already at -1.
Jbe Kruger (+4) and Richard Sterne (+13) are set for an early flight to their next event.
