Tristen Strydom rounded off a spectacular start to the Gauteng Championship with an opening-round 64 at Ebotse Links on Thursday.
Strydom’s recent run of consistency had him close out the day on eight under par to take a one-shot lead in the field.
Strydom has long been hungry to translate his prodigious amateur success into professional success on the Sunshine Tour since he turned professional in 2017, and feels he edging ever closer to that goal.
‘It was a great way to start. I haven’t been starting tournaments too well of late, and it’s good to get those first-round woes out of the way. We’ve been playing tournaments for three weeks now and the first couple of events there was still a bit of rust. But today I was really comfortable. I really putted well and holed some nice putts. No bogeys also helps.
‘I’m just trying to control what I can. That’s my mindset. I’m not too worried about results but more concerned with sticking to what I believe in and enjoy. I refreshed my body and mind in December and it’s been good to play without any doubts in my mind. It’s only the first day, so I won’t make too much of it yet.’
Kyle Barker is his nearest challenger after a first round of 65, while Jaco Prinsloo, James Kingston and Paul Boshoff are on six under.
