Daniel van Tonder couldn’t have hoped for a better start to the 2020 Limpopo Championship after a brilliant opening-round 63 at the Koro Creek Bushveld and Golf Estate, writes ANDRE HUISAMEN.
The 28-year-old went nine under par for the day in a round that included seven birdies, an eagle and not one bogey.
Van Tonder was very pleased with every aspect of his game on day one and hopes he can show some consistency heading into the weekend.
‘I was pleased about every aspect of my game today: driver off the tee, second shots with the irons or a wood. And, even on the par threes, it’s irons off the tees and I was chipping and putting well, so everything was quite solid,’ said the three-time winner on the Sunshine Tour.
He also gave credit to his caddie, who he believes had a real influence on his game throughout the round.
‘I enjoyed it quite a lot. I played well and I listened to my caddie. We gelled and it worked today.’
Van Tonder, who is fourth on the Order of Merit list, will play at the Euphoria Golf & Lifestyle Estate on Friday and will take a two-stroke lead into the second round ahead of Wilco Nienaber, Hennie du Plessis, MJ Viljoen and Peter Karmis from Greece, who are all on seven under par.
Defending champion and one of the tournament favourites, JC Ritchie, is a further stroke back on six under par, alongside a whole host of players.
He will be hoping to take some of last weekend’s form into the rest of his rounds to try to successfully defend his crown.
