Toto Thimba Jnr. took a big step towards achieving his ambitious goal for 2020 when he opened with a seven-under-par 64 on Randpark’s Bushwillow course at the South African Open.
At the end of last year, Thimba Jnr. said: ‘I want to win the SA Open’. He is now just two shots off the lead of Johannes Veerman.
Thimba Jnr, a member of the Sunshine Tour’s Gary Player Class of professionals identified for support with their careers and who are pushing each other to greater heights, is playing with a true belief that a place on one of the most famous trophies in golf is not beyond his reach.
And he is well aware of the impact it would make should he achieve his goal of a victory in his national Open.
‘If I win, it will open doors for a lot of Black golfers. That’s my goal and that’s what I want to achieve. I want to be an inspiration,’ he said.
Thimba Jnr. claimed his breakthrough Sunshine Tour victory in the KCB Karen Masters in Kenya last year. And he was also inspired by the performance of Madalitso Muthiya in the last edition of this tournament as he challenged for the title with Louis Oosthuizen before finishing tied seventh.
‘Anytime a Black golfer plays well it inspires me. You just have to stay patient, work hard and believe in yourself. I write the word “Believe” on my golf ball to remind myself that I can win out here.’
Veerman is one stroke clear of the field, with Italian Nino Bertasio and South Africa’s JC Ritchie his nearest challengers.
Branden Grace came through day one with a 64 on the Firethorn course, which was the day’s best on this layout.
Photo: Shaun Roy/Sunshine Tour/Gallo Images
