Dawie van der Walt carded an opening round of 64 at the Chitimacha Louisiana Open on Thursday to share third place.
‘Going out early when the wind was down helped, but you’ve still got to hit good shots. I managed to make birdies on some tough holes and strung it together,’ he said.
The two-time European Tour winner played his best round in 11 tries at Le Triomphe Golf & Country Club to move within a stroke of overnight leaders Ryan Armour and JJ Spaun.
‘I’ve played this golf course for a couple of years now and I used to struggle, but now I’ve got a good idea of the lines to take,’ said Van der Walt.
The 32-year-old started on the back nine and marched to the turn in two-under-par 33. He eagled the first hole for a wicked start to the second loop and birdied five, seven, and eight to make the clubhouse on seven-under.
‘I made an eagle on number one, which is my 10th hole of the day. I played pretty solid my first loop, but then well over the next nine. There are a few holes where you have to hit good shots and today I achieved that,’ he said.
Fellow South African Kyle Scott made one bogey en route to a four-under-par 67 and a share of 21st place at the close of round one.
